Virginia State Parks Fishing Facts

"Looking for the best fishing holes in Virginia? Grab a map and circle Virginia State Parks!" - Virginia Wildlife magazine

In the mountains | In the Piedmont | Along the coast

A few facts . . .

• State parks on the commonwealth's four largest lakes; the James, Potomac, Shenandoah, Rappahannock, New and York rivers; seven parks on small man-made lakes; and two parks with access to the Chesapeake Bay offer varied fishing opportunities.
• Fresh- and saltwater species abound: largemouth and small mouth bass, bream, crappie, rainbow and brook trout, walleye, muskellunge, northern pike, pickerel, channel catfish and tautog.
• Virginia State Parks staff and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologists manage parks' fisheries. The successful cooperation, which includes stocking, water quality monitoring and construction of fish structures, results in excellent fishing.
• Hungry Mother State Park was the site of three consecutive state record northern pike (1985, 1986 and 1987) until the record was surpassed in 1994. The 1989 state record chain pickerel was caught at Douthat State Park.
• Douthat is best known for its trout fishing program managed by DGIF. The lake, and portions of Wilson Creek, are stocked twice weekly during the spring and fall. In addition to a regular fishing license, a special trout stamp (fee) is required per person each day. A new fishing area for children 12 and under only is open year round and stocked regularly. Children must be accompanied by an adult and pay the trout stamp permit fee.
• Hungry Mother and Fairy Stone state parks' fishing piers are handicapped-accessible.
• Gasoline motors are not allowed in Virginia State Parks seven man-made lakes (Douthat, Fairy Stone, Hungry Mother, Bear Creek, Holliday Lake, Pocahontas and Twin Lakes). Electric trolling motors are allowed.
• You'll need a fishing license. Click here to get one.