26 public waters in the Tidewater region — 15 lakes/reservoirs and 11 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.
James City and Virginia Beach Counties, Virginia — Little Creek Reservoir is a 1,144-acre lake, managed by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: A Tidewater municipal water-supply reservoir (the Newport News, Suffolk 'Nansemond', Norfolk and Virginia Beach lakes, plus the Chickahominy and Diascund system) — Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Bluegill, yellow and White Perch, Bowfin, and channel and Blue Catfish. Most require a city launch permit or are electric-motor / car-top only.
Diascund Reservoir (1,110 acres) sits in James City County, Virginia, managed by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. A Tidewater municipal water-supply reservoir (the Newport News, Suffolk 'Nansemond', Norfolk and Virginia Beach lakes, plus the Chickahominy and Diascund system) — Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Bluegill, yellow and White Perch, Bowfin, and channel and Blue Catfish. Most require a city launch permit or are electric-motor / car-top only.
New Kent and James City Counties, Virginia — Diascund Creek Reservoir is a 1,055-acre lake, managed by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (public lake / boating access): A Tidewater municipal water-supply reservoir (the Newport News, Suffolk 'Nansemond', Norfolk and Virginia Beach lakes, plus the Chickahominy and Diascund system) — Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Bluegill, yellow and White Perch, Bowfin, and channel and Blue Catfish. Most require a city launch permit or are electric-motor / car-top only.
Skiffs Creek Reservoir, a 76-acre lake in James City and Newport News Counties, Virginia, managed by City Land: 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.
In James City County, Virginia, Sandy Bay is a 43-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.
Brewery Road Lake, a 40-acre lake in James City 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.
Warehams Pond (40 acres) sits in James City 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.
Jolly Pond, a 38-acre lake in James City 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.
James City County, Virginia — Cranstons Pond is a 30-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.
Skiffes Creek Reservoir (23 acres) sits in James City and Newport News Counties, Virginia, managed by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. A Tidewater municipal water-supply reservoir (the Newport News, Suffolk 'Nansemond', Norfolk and Virginia Beach lakes, plus the Chickahominy and Diascund system) — Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Bluegill, yellow and White Perch, Bowfin, and channel and Blue Catfish. Most require a city launch permit or are electric-motor / car-top only.
In James City County, Virginia, Lake Pasbehegh is a 22-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.
James City County, Virginia — Kingsmill Pond is a 21-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.
The Thorofare, a 20-acre lake in James City 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.
James City County, Virginia — Warburton Pond is a 17-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.
Woodstock Pond, a 8-acre lake in James City 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.
Chickahominy River (128 km) flows through Henrico, Charles City, Hanover and 2 more counties in Virginia, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A tidal Virginia river (the tidal James, Chickahominy, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, Appomattox and lower Rappahannock) — a nationally-known trophy blue-Catfish fishery, Largemouth Bass in the grass and cypress, white and Yellow Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, Bowfin and Gar, plus seasonal Striped Bass and one of the East Coast's better American-Shad runs.
In Gloucester, York, King and Queen and 2 more counties in Virginia, York River is a 36 km river or creek, managed by Commonwealth of Virginia (public / navigable water). A tidal Virginia river (the tidal James, Chickahominy, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, Appomattox and lower Rappahannock) — a nationally-known trophy blue-Catfish fishery, Largemouth Bass in the grass and cypress, white and Yellow Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, Bowfin and Gar, plus seasonal Striped Bass and one of the East Coast's better American-Shad runs.
Diascund Creek (14 km) flows through New Kent and James City 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.
Ware Creek runs 10 km through James City and New Kent 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.
James City, Newport News and York Counties, Virginia — Skiffes Creek is a 11 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.
Surry and James City Counties, Virginia — College Run 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.
Skimino Creek runs 8 km through York, James City and Gloucester 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.
Charles City and James City Counties, Virginia — Tomahund 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.
Beaverdam Creek runs 8 km through New Kent and James City 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 Gloucester, King and Queen and James City Counties, Virginia, Poropotank River is a 8 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.
James City and Surry Counties, Virginia — Powhatan 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.
Across its mapped waters, James City County holds 21 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish, Redear Sunfish and Smallmouth 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.