Nelson County offers many fishing opportunities along its rivers, lakes and streams, including the Tye River, James River, Little Piney River (stream) and Rockfish River. Reviews of Fishing in James River. A restoration program for American Shad was initiated in 1992, stocked fish have returned to the James as adults to spawn. Anglers must release all wild rainbow trout. North Carolina offers some great fishing opportunities. 2007 James River State Park; Regulations. So, a little about them, huh? Anglers unfamiliar with the tidal James should be aware that some of the best largemouth fishing in this system is found in tidal tributaries from the Appomattox River down to Upper Chippokes Creek – tributaries below this are more likely to be impacted by spikes in salinity. All river herring inadvertently caught by anglers must be immediately released back into the water. appbronzebackadv.com, Blane Chocklett Fishing Hundreds of 30 to 60 pound blue catfish are pulled from the tidal James each year, and the current state record (102 � pounds) was caught from the James in 2009. (704) 467-1774 | appbronzebackadv@gmail.com However, this year the shad and striper arrived at the fall line of the Rappahannock River … Owner: Captain Ken Trail (540) 613-0850 | muskyguides@gmail.com (540) 291-2295 | wildernesscanoecompany.com. For updated information about the Shenandoah River fish disease investigations visit: www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing. (540) 261-7334 | canoevirginia.net, Wilderness Canoe Company Photo: Mark Hicks. Ask to speak with a Fisheries Biologist. Hundreds of 30 to 60 pound blue catfish are caught from the tidal James and its tributaries each year. Top Fishing Charters in James River. Adult trout will range from 7-12 inches. Ice fishing: Angling is not permitted through the ice; a) into beaver ponds or b) into flowing waters in ES2. Fishing off the railroad tracks over the James River in South Dakota. (540) 254-2420 | handhoutdoors@gmail.com It is now illegal for any person fishing tidal rivers to have river herring in their possession – this includes blueback herring and alewife. 1 / 13 . The following fishing regulations are effective August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021. (540) 521-9214 | deaddriftva.com Daves Wins James River Regional. Adjacent to the James River are several stocked trout streams in some of the Blue Ridge Mountain’s most scenic settings. Restrictions : From Hooten Town bridge (the Loop Road at Route O) to the Highway 413/Highway 265 bridge at Galena. Licences, Fees and Forms Notice: The Licences, Fees and Forms Notice sets the different forms and classes of fishing licence. Although fishing from the shoreline is available in places, most of the fishing here is conducted from gas-powered boats (there are no size or horsepower restrictions). In recent years the number of hickory shad in Virginia’s rivers has increased. Anglers with concerns or questions should contact the Virginia Marine Fisheries Commission (VMRC) in Newport News at 1-800-541-4646. In addition to excellent bass fishing, the tidal James supports a nationally recognized trophy blue catfish fishery, with people from around the country, nearby states, and all areas of the Commonwealth traveling to localities near the James (such as Richmond) to “fish for big blue cats in the James”. It shall be unlawful for any person to place, set or fish any gill net with a stretched mesh of greater than or equal to seven inches in Virginia waters east of the COLREGS Line and north of the North Carolina-Virginia border and south of Wachapreague Inlet (37 o 34.6' N) from April 1 through January 14, except as described in 4VAC20-320-65 and 4VAC20-252-135. Most people tend to think that striper, another anadromous fish, spawn soon after the shad. Fish Virginia First – The Mid-Atlantic’s premier fishing trail. The best rainbow trout fishing on the Kootenai River is found above Kootenai Falls, although the lower river of the Kootenai is making a comeback due to recent changes in fishing regulations. Additional information can be found on the VMRC website (http://www.mrc.state.va.us/regulations/fr1260.shtm). Branson remains a strong contender for the best place to start your bank fishing trip, as well as the small town of West Branson, located…well, west of Branson! (540) 464-4453 | Lexington@walkaboutoutfitter.com Request a free brochure and visitor information >, © The Upper James River Water Trail | Contact Us. It contains information about recreational fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits, as well as up-to-date fishing regulations for each fishing zone. Fishing is prohibited from Feb. 15 to April 15 in the Linville River from the mouth, as marked at Lake James, upstream to the N.C. 126 bridge. Adjacent to North Creek is Jennings Creek, a Heritage Trout Day stocked stream. The JRR staff is knowledgeable about what’s biting, what lures or bait you need and where the sweet spots are. Botetourt Commons, 28 Kingston Drive, Daleville, VA 24083 var axel = Math.random() + ""; Download PDF Published: December 2020, Pages: 156, Size: 23.3 MB Other species are also plentiful in the James River, including channel catfish, flathead catfish, and various sunfish species (redbreast, bluegill, and rock bass). Request a free brochure and visitor information. During the fall season, striper fishing on the James is generally best downstream of the I-295 Bridge, with stripers also found in many of the larger tidal tributaries from the Appomattox River downstream. While the absolute total number of hooks is either 33 or 50, depending on whether you or not you are fishing on the Mississippi River, you may not use more than 3 hooks per pole. On January 1st, 2012, VMRC enacted a regulation which makes it unlawful to be in possession of river herring while on tidal waters. NEW: Scroll down instead of sideways to view photos. During the spring season, fishing for stripers near the fall-line can provide exciting action, particularly using top water lures. Piney River Rappahannock # 9 Thornton River, South Fork Rappahannock # 9 Hughes River Madison #10 Brokenback Run Madison #10 If you are a resident or visitor to the state, please review the links below to ensure that you understand the rules, regulations and other guidelines. There is a possession limit of one blue catfish larger than 32 inches per person per day. Visit the Department of Wildlife Resources for fishing rules & regulations. (540) 461-8816 | JourneyOutLex.com, Outdoor Trails var a = axel * 10000000000000; Important Information: All fishing trips are self-guided; A Virginia State fishing license required for all anglers 16 years and older. Charles City, VA 23030 Fishing regulations on the Upper James. The action, particularly using top water lures, can be extremely exciting in the vicinity of the I-95 Bridge in Richmond. Schedule your fishing adventure with these guides: Appalachian Bronzeback Adventures Information on blue catfish on the lower James River, below Richmond , Virginia and the surrounding areas. In September 2019, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) voted to convert emergency amendments as a permanent part of regulation to Chapter 4 VAC 20-252-10 et seq., “Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass,” to lower the recreational possession limit to one fish (20″ minimum size) in the Chesapeake Bay area and establish a 36″ total length recreational maximum … Pamunkey River from the Route 33 Bridge at West Point upstream to a line connecting Liberty Hall and the opposite shore. Channel cats are caught throughout the tidal James system, however the best catches are restricted to the main river and tributaries from the Chickahominy to Hog Point. During the fall season, striper fishing on the James is generally best downstream of the I-295 Bridge, with stripers also found in many of the larger tidal tributary creeks. However, as reported in the James River Association’s 2011 State of the James report, the James River’s striped bass population is only at about 49% of the benchmark. Tributary River Striped Bass Spawning Reaches (4 VAC 20-252-10 ET SEQ) 1. Sunfish are generally small, but pockets of hand-sized bluegill may be located in the backwater areas off the mainstem and in tidal creeks. Information on blue catfish on the lower James River, below Richmond , Virginia and the surrounding areas. Fishing on the James River for spring walleyes doesn't require a lot of gear. Selective gear rules are in effect prohibiting the use of bait (including scents or scented materials), except only one single-point barbless hook is allowed. The James River a nationally recognized fishery for Virginia Catfishing,James River, VA ,fishing, Trophy Bluecats Daily. Mainstem of a river: includes the mainstem channel and any side channel, oxbows, riparian flow channels, and plunge pools below spillways. More Information Note: Stream designations are subject to change. James River Catfishing, Catfishing on the James River in Virginia can be a fishing trip of a lifetime. The James River 631 James River Road, Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579 Anglers should fish small grubs and jigs around stumps and boulders. VDGIF width="1" height="1" frameborder="0" style="display:none">'); Discover Excellent Fishing on the Upper James. In 2016, the Priority Fishing Series will hold 6 tournaments out of Osbourne Landing in addition to their 2-day Classic on October 1 & 2. Earl P. fished with Tidal Obsession Charters LLC on August 5, 2017 . The minimum length limit for Ozark Bass is 7 inches in the James River. Late in the fall season, fishing for stripers is usually best further downstream, below the freshwater-saltwater license line near the “mothball fleet”, the James River Bridge, and the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel. Department of Game and Inland Fisheries – VDGIF is responsible for the management of inland fisheries, wildlife, and recreational boating for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Streams County PATC Map. The true monster fish, for those with the patience to chase them, are typically found within a mile or two downstream from Libby Dam. Otherwise, flathead catfish in the tidal James are most abundant between Richmond and I295. The Upper James River, from its headwaters in Botetourt County through Rockbridge County, provide some of the finest freshwater fishing available in Virginia. Pro Chris Daves of Spring Grove, Virginia, brought a three-day total of 15 bass to the scale weighing 50 pounds, 1 ounces to win the no-entry fee Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Regional Championship on the James River. Effective January 1, 2021. The 2018 cobia regulations were of greatest concern to anglers. Phone: (804) 829-6580 It is issued under the authority of the Acts and Regulations … 2. Public boat access in the freshwater fishing section the tidal James River is available at: Excellent black crappie angling is available for those who know how to locate them, with numerous 12-13 inch crappie weighing 1 to 1 � pounds available. Definitions. Rainbow trout predominate in North Creek, although brook trout are present as well. (540) 817-4624 | ArcadiaAdventures@gmail.com, Twin River Outfitters Find quality outdoor gear at these local retailers: H&H Outdoors 17518 Main Street, Buchanan, VA 24066 While most citation-size blue cats from the James are caught between Dutch Gap and Sturgeon Point, opportunities to catch catfish can be found from Hog Island to Richmond. The tidal James River system supports a nationally recognized largemouth bass fishery, and was the site of previous Bass Master Classics and the 2003 FLW Tour Championship. (540) 354-5993 | bchocklett@comcast.net Other structure (remnants of old piers, existing piers, or downed trees) adjacent to channel drop-offs, also will hold congregations of blue cats. Get information on purchasing fishing licenses and access permits. Updated closure dates for listed rivers. Adjacent to the James River are several stocked trout streams in some of the Blue Ridge Mountain’s most scenic settings. Smallmouth bass are the dominant game species, but spotted and large mouth bass can also be caught. James River Catfishing, Catfishing on the James River in Virginia can be a fishing trip of a lifetime. Longear sunfish are abundant, although most are within the 3-5-inch range. Fishing for largemouth in the mainstem James is best above Hopewell – below this there are only isolated pockets of suitable bass habitat available in the river. South Island Fishing regulations for 2020-21 season. 3. Boekelheide said all anglers really need is a medium-action rod, good line, an assortment of jigs and some live bait. Three-year classes of trout have been established in the Roaring Run stream and fish up to 16 inches in size are available for anglers. As water temperatures cool late in the season, typically in mid-December, the best locations for striper fishing are generally further downstream, at the “mothball fleet”, the James River Bridge, and the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel. White perch are caught in good numbers throughout the river using plastic grubs, beetle spins, or grass shrimp. vatrout.com, Rock-On Charters Spending so much time on the shad made ‘me thinks’ the striper feel left out. 21 South Main Street, Lexington, VA 24450 With that being said, North Carolina mountain trout streams are known as world class fisheries and can produce huge trout as well as beautiful wild specs. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has established limits on the commercial and recreational fishing industry for striped bass in Virginia. In the James carp typically reach 10 pounds, and anglers occasionally take carp up to 30 pounds. During the fall season, striper fishing on the James is generally best downstream of the I-295 Bridge, with stripers also found in many of the larger tidal tributaries from the Appomattox River downstream. Fish the region effective August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021 view photos catfish larger 32. 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