45 public waters in the Mountains & Valley region — 10 lakes/reservoirs and 35 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a Virginia licence.
See every public fishing venue in Virginia on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Leesville Lake (3,400 ac) — the narrow, riverine re-regulation reservoir below Smith Mountain Dam. Quieter and more current-driven: Striped Bass pushed down from the upper lake, largemouth and smallmouth, big flathead and Channel Catfish, Crappie and White Perch.
Loudoun and Bedford Counties, Virginia — Beaverdam Reservoir is a 368-acre lake, managed by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: A VDWR-managed small lake or a Department-leased city/county lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Channel Catfish and Crappie, with Rainbow Trout stocked into a number of them through the cool months (the Community Fishing / urban programme). Managed for easy bank and pier access.
Reusens Reservoir spans 304 acres in Bedford County's Mountains & Valley region, serving as a solid smallmouth and largemouth bass destination backed by channel catfish. The intimate size and public access make it a convenient choice for central Virginia anglers.
Bedford County, Virginia — Ivy Lake is a 86-acre lake, managed by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (public lake / boating access): Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Bedford Lake, a 29-acre lake in Bedford County, Virginia, managed by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (public lake / boating access): Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Bedford Reservoir, a 28-acre lake in Bedford County, Virginia, managed by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (public lake / boating access): Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Vista Lake, a 27-acre lake in Bedford County, Virginia, managed by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (public lake / boating access): Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Abbott Lake (22 acres) sits in Bedford County, Virginia, managed by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (public lake / boating access). A VDWR-managed small lake or a Department-leased city/county lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Channel Catfish and Crappie, with Rainbow Trout stocked into a number of them through the cool months (the Community Fishing / urban programme). Managed for easy bank and pier access.
Falling Creek Reservoir, a 18-acre lake in Bedford and Roanoke Counties, Virginia, managed by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: A VDWR-managed small lake or a Department-leased city/county lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Channel Catfish and Crappie, with Rainbow Trout stocked into a number of them through the cool months (the Community Fishing / urban programme). Managed for easy bank and pier access.
Bedford County, Virginia — Spring Lake is a 12-acre lake, managed by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (public lake / boating access): A VDWR-managed small lake or a Department-leased city/county lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Channel Catfish and Crappie, with Rainbow Trout stocked into a number of them through the cool months (the Community Fishing / urban programme). Managed for easy bank and pier access.
The Roanoke (Staunton) River — the upper river around Roanoke and Salem is a stocked-Trout and smallmouth stream; the lower Staunton below Leesville and again below Kerr Dam is a striped-bass, Catfish and largemouth river. The Staunton River State Park stretch is a quiet flatwater float.
Big Otter River runs 66 km through Bedford and Campbell Counties, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Little Otter River (27 km) flows through Bedford County, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Elk Creek runs 4 km through Bedford County, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia wild or stocked mountain Trout stream — native Brook Trout ('natives' / 'specks') in the headwaters, wild and stocked rainbows and browns lower down. Special-regulation catch-and-release and delayed-harvest sections are marked. A Trout licence (and a National Forest stamp on many) is required to fish stocked water.
Ivy Creek (18 km) flows through Bedford and Lynchburg Counties, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A Virginia wild or stocked mountain Trout stream — native Brook Trout ('natives' / 'specks') in the headwaters, wild and stocked rainbows and browns lower down. Special-regulation catch-and-release and delayed-harvest sections are marked. A Trout licence (and a National Forest stamp on many) is required to fish stocked water.
Bedford County, Virginia — Stony Fork is a 3 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Bedford County, Virginia — Machine Creek is a 2 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Bore Auger Creek (12 km) flows through Bedford and Botetourt Counties, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Bedford and Franklin Counties, Virginia — Beaverdam Creek is a 12 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Botetourt and Bedford Counties, Virginia — Jennings Creek is a 2 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia wild or stocked mountain Trout stream — native Brook Trout ('natives' / 'specks') in the headwaters, wild and stocked rainbows and browns lower down. Special-regulation catch-and-release and delayed-harvest sections are marked. A Trout licence (and a National Forest stamp on many) is required to fish stocked water.
Amherst, Bedford and Rockbridge Counties, Virginia — Otter Creek is a 1 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Orrix Creek (11 km) flows through Bedford and Campbell Counties, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Bedford County, Virginia — Carter Mill Creek is a 9 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Bedford County, Virginia — Sheep Creek is a 10 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Bedford and Botetourt Counties, Virginia — South Fork Goose Creek is a 9 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Judith Creek runs 8 km through Bedford, Lynchburg and Amherst Counties, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
In Bedford and Botetourt Counties, Virginia, North Fork Goose Creek is a 9 km river or creek, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Oslin Creek (9 km) flows through Bedford County, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Middle Creek runs 7 km through Botetourt and Bedford Counties, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia wild or stocked mountain Trout stream — native Brook Trout ('natives' / 'specks') in the headwaters, wild and stocked rainbows and browns lower down. Special-regulation catch-and-release and delayed-harvest sections are marked. A Trout licence (and a National Forest stamp on many) is required to fish stocked water.
Bedford and Rockbridge Counties, Virginia — Hunting Creek is a 9 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia wild or stocked mountain Trout stream — native Brook Trout ('natives' / 'specks') in the headwaters, wild and stocked rainbows and browns lower down. Special-regulation catch-and-release and delayed-harvest sections are marked. A Trout licence (and a National Forest stamp on many) is required to fish stocked water.
Bedford County, Virginia — Crab Orchard Creek is a 8 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Boyles Branch runs 9 km through Bedford County, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
In Botetourt and Bedford Counties, Virginia, Bearwallow Creek is a 6 km river or creek, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Falling Creek runs 9 km through Bedford and Botetourt Counties, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
In Bedford County, Virginia, Rockcastle Creek is a 7 km river or creek, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Lynville Creek (7 km) flows through Franklin and Bedford Counties, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Bedford County, Virginia — North Otter Creek is a 8 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Bedford County, Virginia — Overstreet Creek is a 7 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia wild or stocked mountain Trout stream — native Brook Trout ('natives' / 'specks') in the headwaters, wild and stocked rainbows and browns lower down. Special-regulation catch-and-release and delayed-harvest sections are marked. A Trout licence (and a National Forest stamp on many) is required to fish stocked water.
Island Creek (7 km) flows through Bedford County, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Nininger Creek runs 7 km through Bedford County, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Glader Branch runs 7 km through Bedford County, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
Bedford County, Virginia — Chestnut Branch is a 8 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia smallmouth river (the upper James, the Shenandoah and its forks, the Maury, Cowpasture, Jackson and Rappahannock) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass beds, Redbreast Sunfish ('redeyes'), Rock Bass, and a strong Muskellunge fishery on the James and Shenandoah. Classic wade-and-float bronzeback water.
McFalls Creek (6 km) flows through Botetourt and Bedford Counties, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A Virginia wild or stocked mountain Trout stream — native Brook Trout ('natives' / 'specks') in the headwaters, wild and stocked rainbows and browns lower down. Special-regulation catch-and-release and delayed-harvest sections are marked. A Trout licence (and a National Forest stamp on many) is required to fish stocked water.
Battery Creek (Bedford, Rockbridge and Amherst Counties, Virginia) sits in Bedford, Rockbridge and Amherst Counties, Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A Virginia wild or stocked mountain Trout stream — native Brook Trout ('natives' / 'specks') in the headwaters, wild and stocked rainbows and browns lower down. Special-regulation catch-and-release and delayed-harvest sections are marked. A Trout licence (and a National Forest stamp on many) is required to fish stocked water.
Bedford and Campbell Counties, Virginia — Goose Creek is a 54 km stream, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water): A Virginia wild or stocked mountain Trout stream — native Brook Trout ('natives' / 'specks') in the headwaters, wild and stocked rainbows and browns lower down. Special-regulation catch-and-release and delayed-harvest sections are marked. A Trout licence (and a National Forest stamp on many) is required to fish stocked water.
Across its mapped waters, Bedford County holds 22 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Redbreast Sunfish and Rock Bass.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Virginia map Join PiscaMapsOne Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources freshwater fishing licence covers every public water in the state — resident annual about $24, non-resident annual about $47, with 1-day and 5-day short-term options. A separate trout licence (~$24 resident) is required from 1 October to 15 June to fish designated stocked trout waters, plus a ~$5 National Forest permit on national-forest stocked water. Below the fall line, tidal water needs a saltwater licence instead. Virginia residents 65+ can buy a discounted or free licence. Buy at GoOutdoorsVirginia.com.