Fishing in Virginia

Fishing in Virginia

PiscaMaps covers 2,031 public fishing venues across Virginia in 4 regions — 801 lakes and reservoirs and 1,163 rivers. The largest is Back Bay, at 27,732 acres. James River is the longest mapped river, running 439 km. Piedmont has the most venues on file, with 882. 342 venues are documented trout waters.

The most commonly recorded species across Virginia's public waters are Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Flathead Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Redbreast Sunfish and Rock Bass — the exact mix varies by water type and region. 299 venues have a real boat ramp on file, 225 have nearby camping, and 795 have mapped parking — sourced from OpenStreetMap and recreation.gov's federal facilities database (RIDB) where available.

Fishing Regions in Virginia

Virginia's public fishing venues are spread across 4 regions on PiscaMaps:

Species Recorded in Virginia

The most frequently recorded species across Virginia's public venues on PiscaMaps:

Fishing Licence in Virginia

Anyone 16+ needs a Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources freshwater fishing licence — resident annual is about $24, non-resident annual about $47, and short-term (1-day / 5-day) licences are sold. A separate trout licence (~$24 resident) is required from 1 October to 15 June to fish designated stocked trout waters, and many of those in national forest also need a National Forest permit (~$5). Residents 65+ can buy discounted or free licences; a saltwater fishing licence (VMRC) covers tidal waters below the fall line. Buy from VDWR. A Virginia freshwater fishing licence covers navigable rivers above the fall line. Below the fall line (tidal water) a saltwater fishing licence applies instead. A trout licence is required on designated stocked trout sections from 1 October to 15 June.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many public fishing venues are there in Virginia?+
  PiscaMaps covers 2,031 public fishing venues across Virginia in 4 regions — 801 lakes and reservoirs and 1,163 rivers. The largest is Back Bay, at 27,732 acres. James River is the longest mapped river, running 439 km. Piedmont has the most venues on file, with 882. 342 venues are documented trout waters.
• Do I need a fishing licence in Virginia?+
  Anyone 16+ needs a Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources freshwater fishing licence — resident annual is about $24, non-resident annual about $47, and short-term (1-day / 5-day) licences are sold. A separate trout licence (~$24 resident) is required from 1 October to 15 June to fish designated stocked trout waters, and many of those in national forest also need a National Forest permit (~$5). Residents 65+ can buy discounted or free licences; a saltwater fishing licence (VMRC) covers tidal waters below the fall line. Buy from VDWR. A Virginia freshwater fishing licence covers navigable rivers above the fall line. Below the fall line (tidal water) a saltwater fishing licence applies instead. A trout licence is required on designated stocked trout sections from 1 October to 15 June.
• Are there boat ramps and camping near Virginia's fishing lakes?+
  299 venues have a mapped boat ramp and 225 have nearby camping on PiscaMaps, sourced from OpenStreetMap and the federal RIDB database.

Notable Lakes & Reservoirs in Virginia

Rivers in Virginia

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