Fishing in Virginia

Virginia offers fishing from trout streams in the Blue Ridge to striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay. Smith Mountain Lake and Lake Anna are major bass and striped bass fisheries. The New River is one of the oldest rivers in the world and a top smallmouth bass destination. Chesapeake Bay and the Eastern Shore offer excellent striped bass, flounder, and cobia.

Top Species

• Striped Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
• Largemouth Bass
• Rainbow Trout
• Flounder
• Cobia

Top Waters

• Chesapeake Bay
• Smith Mountain Lake
• New River
• Lake Anna
• Shenandoah River

Fishing Types

• Saltwater / offshore fishing
• Freshwater / lake / river fishing

Fishing License

Virginia DWR — visit their site for current regulations and license requirements.