Patrick County

Land of Headwaters

Stunning vistas from the edge of the Blue Ridge escarpment overlooking steep, narrow river valleys are a visual reward to our visitors. Patrick County is blessed with an abundance of strong running streams that emerge from these steep valleys and that share a unique geological feature – all have their headwaters within Patrick County. Five rivers spring forth and flow into two major watersheds.

The Dan River is known for native brook trout. However, the six-mile section between Talbott Dam and Townes Reservoir becomes first class for rainbow, brook and brown trout. The rainbows range from 8-12 inches and the browns may reach 18 inches.

The North and South Mayo River provides exceptional trout fishing and are frequently stocked with species, such as the brown trout and rainbow trout. Trout caught in the river usually average around 12 inches in length.

The Smith River is often accessed at Iron Bridge Road near Charity. Rock Castle Creek in Woolwine is a stream with a variety of fish, including pickerel, pumpkinseed sunfish and redear sunfish.

The Ararat River begins its journey to the Atlantic near the Ararat community.  Literally flowing through history with native and rainbow trout, the Ararat River passes near the Letcher Gravesite and frames Laurel Hill, birthplace to JEB Stuart. 

Fairy Stone Lake offers good largemouth bass fishing, with numerous fish between 12-15 inches. Crappie, Redear Sunfish, and Bluegill are also available to anglers.

Philpott Lake is Patrick County’s largest fishery, and presents the largest variety of game species for anglers. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and walleye fishing in Philpott Reservoir is exceptional for Virginia lakes, with average length of 18-21 inches.