All About Fishing
in Virginia
Virginia has become one of the most popular destinations on the east coast for freshwater fishing. With the wide variety of opportunities available to anglers of every skill level, it’s easy to understand why.
Virginia has lots of lakes with quiet coves perfect for reeling in trophy fish. Our lakes have even hosted professional tournaments. We also have 49,000 miles of rivers and streams. Many rivers can accommodate small boats while others are small, secluded and perfect for a peaceful day of fly fishing. In many places, outfitters can rent or sell you the right gear and arrange shuttles. There are also opportunities to take guided trips with experts who can help you learn new techniques and find hidden fishing spots.
More than 30 species of fresh water fish can be found in Virginia’s lakes, rivers and streams. If you have a favorite, chances are you can find it here. The Fish Virginia First Species Selector below can help you decide where you should cast your line.
Find Your Favorite with the Fish Virginia First Species Selector:
American Shad
Blue Catfish
Bluegill
Where to find it:
Alleghany CountyAmherst County
Augusta County
Bath County
Bedford County
Bland County
Botetourt County
Campbell County
Carroll County
Craig County
Culpeper
Giles County
Grayson County
Hopewell / Prince George
Martinsville - Henry County
Nelson County
Patrick County
Prince William County
Pulaski County
Radford
Lexington - Rockbridge County
Russell County
Smyth County
Spotsylvania County
Washington County
Waynesboro
More about this species >
Bowfin
Brook Trout
Where to find it:
Alleghany CountyAugusta County
Bath County
Botetourt County
Carroll County
Craig County
Danville - Pittsylvania County
Highland County
Montgomery County
Nelson County
Patrick County
Lexington - Rockbridge County
Russell County
Smyth County
Waynesboro
Wytheville and Wythe County
More about this species >
Brown Trout
Where to find it:
Alleghany CountyAugusta County
Bath County
Botetourt County
Carroll County
Craig County
Franklin County
Grayson County
Highland County
Martinsville - Henry County
Montgomery County
Nelson County
Patrick County
Lexington - Rockbridge County
Russell County
Smyth County
Waynesboro
Wytheville and Wythe County
More about this species >
Carp
Catfish
Where to find it:
Alleghany CountyBath County
Bedford County
Botetourt County
Campbell County
Danville - Pittsylvania County
Franklin County
Grayson County
Halifax County
King George County
Lynchburg
Martinsville - Henry County
Pulaski County
Russell County
Spotsylvania County
Washington County
Wytheville and Wythe County
More about this species >
Chain Pickerel
Channel Catfish
Where to find it:
Alleghany CountyAmherst County
Augusta County
Botetourt County
Campbell County
Carroll County
Culpeper
Franklin County
Giles County
Martinsville - Henry County
Mecklenburg County
Montgomery County
Nelson County
Prince William County
Lexington - Rockbridge County
Smyth County
Wytheville and Wythe County
More about this species >
Crappie
Where to find it:
Alleghany CountyAmherst County
Augusta County
Bath County
Carroll County
Culpeper
Danville - Pittsylvania County
Franklin County
Giles County
Grayson County
Halifax County
Hopewell / Prince George
King George County
Martinsville - Henry County
Mecklenburg County
Montgomery County
Nelson County
Patrick County
Prince William County
Pulaski County
Radford
Russell County
Smyth County
Washington County
Wytheville and Wythe County
More about this species >
Flathead Catfish
Flier
Freshwater Drum
Green Sunfish
Hickory Shad
Hybrid Striped Bass
Largemouth Bass
Where to find it:
Alleghany CountyAmherst County
Augusta County
Bedford County
Bland County
Botetourt County
Campbell County
Carroll County
Culpeper
Franklin County
Giles County
Grayson County
Halifax County
Hopewell / Prince George
Lynchburg
Martinsville - Henry County
Mecklenburg County
Montgomery County
Nelson County
Patrick County
Prince William County
Radford
Lexington - Rockbridge County
Russell County
Smyth County
Spotsylvania County
Washington County
Waynesboro
Wytheville and Wythe County
More about this species >
Longnose Gar
Musky
Northern Pike
Pumpkinseed
Rainbow Trout
Where to find it:
Alleghany CountyAugusta County
Bath County
Bedford County
Bland County
Botetourt County
Carroll County
Craig County
Franklin County
Grayson County
Highland County
King George County
Martinsville - Henry County
Montgomery County
Nelson County
Patrick County
Prince William County
Lexington - Rockbridge County
Russell County
Smyth County
Washington County
Waynesboro
Wytheville and Wythe County
More about this species >
Redbreast Sunfish
Redear Sunfish
Roanoke Bass
Rock Bass
Where to find it:
Alleghany CountyAugusta County
Bland County
Botetourt County
Campbell County
Carroll County
Craig County
Giles County
Grayson County
Hopewell / Prince George
Martinsville - Henry County
Mecklenburg County
Montgomery County
Nelson County
Patrick County
Radford
Smyth County
Washington County
Waynesboro
More about this species >
Sauger
Smallmouth Bass
Where to find it:
Alleghany CountyAugusta County
Bath County
Bedford County
Bland County
Botetourt County
Carroll County
Craig County
Franklin County
Giles County
Grayson County
Highland County
Hopewell / Prince George
King George County
Lynchburg
Martinsville - Henry County
Mecklenburg County
Montgomery County
Nelson County
Patrick County
Radford
Lexington - Rockbridge County
Russell County
Smyth County
Spotsylvania County
Washington County
Waynesboro
Wytheville and Wythe County
More about this species >
Spotted Bass
Striped Bass
Sunfish
Where to find it:
Alleghany CountyAugusta County
Bedford County
Botetourt County
Danville - Pittsylvania County
Franklin County
Highland County
Lynchburg
Martinsville - Henry County
Nelson County
Patrick County
Prince William County
Smyth County
Washington County
Wytheville and Wythe County
More about this species >
Walleye
Where to find it:
Campbell CountyCarroll County
Danville - Pittsylvania County
Giles County
Grayson County
Halifax County
Hopewell / Prince George
Martinsville - Henry County
Mecklenburg County
Montgomery County
Patrick County
Pulaski County
Radford
Lexington - Rockbridge County
Russell County
Smyth County
Spotsylvania County
Washington County
Wytheville and Wythe County
More about this species >