ROANOKE, Va – The Virginia Department of Health advises against eating fish that are caught from the James River or the New River. Some species in those two bodies of water are coming up contaminated with chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), dioxins, kepone or mercury.
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What fish are biting in the James River now?
Smallmouth bass are the dominant game species, but spotted and large mouth bass can also be caught. Other species are also plentiful in the James River, including channel catfish, flathead catfish, and various sunfish species (redbreast, bluegill, and rock bass).
What fish are running in the James River?
The Non-Tidal James River offers fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass, muskellunge (muskie), redbreast sunfish, rock bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and flathead catfish.
What fish are biting on the James River Pier?
Pier Anglers catch croaker, spot, flounder, trout and striped bass.
Where can I fish on the James River?
In the tidal James system, the best fishing for crappie occurs in tidal tributaries, as well as the James River mainstem near Jones Neck and Turkey Island. To find these tasty fish look for submerged structure such as downed trees and pier pilings in the vicinity of channel drop-offs.
What is the best bait to use in the James River?
Use fresh cut bait (various species of the shad family) in deep holes, on shallow flats, along dropoffs, and all sorts of other places. The river is full of blue catfish, and if you keep trying different locations, you’ll find some.
Is the James River still contaminated?
“The 2021 State of the James report shows that the river remains a river at risk,” Street said. “The decreased scores in pollution reductions occurred despite increased investments by Virginia and clean water programs.”
What is the biggest fish in the James River?
The biggest Channel Catfish caught measured 31 inches long and weighed just over 13.5 pounds, while the biggest Flathead Catfish measured 44.5 inches and weighed 47.8 pounds. The length-frequency histograms show the number of each species collected by inch group (Figure 1).
Are there water moccasins in the James River?
Moccasins in the James Water moccasins, properly called northern cottonmouths, are venomous denizens of Southern swamps. They inhabit southeastern Virginia — but not the city of Richmond. If you are wading at James River Park and a serpent swims by, it is most likely a northern water snake, a harmless creature.
Are there snakeheads in the James River?
The non-native northern snakehead has been found within the James River drainage and has joined two other regional specimens in a collection at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS).
What time is best to fish pier?
Generally speaking, the best time to fish from a pier is either early morning or sundown. This is when moving tides attract a lot of baitfish to the area, which in turn, brings out the big and hungry of the fish world, too.
What is the best tide to fish from a pier?
High tide is definitely the best tide for pier fishing. Conversely, low tide lowers the water level and makes it shallower and less comfortable for most species.
Are there poisonous snakes in the James River?
Serpents spotted in the water at Richmond’s James River Park are harmless, not venomous. The legless swimmers found in the James River in Richmond are northern water snakes, which eat fish and frogs. It’s illegal to kill a snake in Virginia unless it poses a safety threat. A big northern water snake runs about 3 feet.
Is the James River good for fishing?
Overall, the James River offers an excellent fishing opportunity for whatever you might want to catch. Canoeing is the best way to access the river, though small boats can also be used at most access points. Bank and wade fishing access is also available along the river.
Has there ever been a shark in the James River?
(WTVR)—Two bull sharks were caught in the Potomac River, and it wouldn’t be the first time a shark was caught in a Virginia river. He is a fixture along the banks of the James River, and “Catfish TC”, as he is known, is quite content on solid ground, thank you very much.
How deep is the James River?
The James River provides depths of 25 feet to the Richmond Deepwater Terminal and in the Terminal Turning Basin; 18 feet to and in the Richmond Harbor Turning Basin; 18 feet to the Lock at Richmond.
Are there sturgeon in the James River in Virginia?
Atlantic sturgeon are an anadromous fish species meaning they spend their adult lives in the ocean and return to the rivers in which they were born to spawn. Atlantic sturgeon can be found on the James River, from the Chesapeake Bay to the Falls of the James, during their spring and fall migrations.
What lure should I use for river fishing?
For many anglers, jigs are considered the best lures for river fishing near the mouth of a river, in areas of slower current, and near shorelines for walleye. 1/4 to 1/8-ounce jigs will work well in most situations. You can use up to 1 ounce in areas of stronger current.
Which site of the James River is the most polluted?
There are tons of hazardous waste sites in the James River Watershed. The map above shows that the highest densities of hazardous waste sites in the watershed are in Richmond, Norfolk, and Lynchburg.
What is the dirtiest river in the US?
- The most polluted river is River Rouge which flows into the Detroit River, as it contains around 200 pollutants such as zinc and lead.
- The Cuyahoga River has been said to catch fire 21 times since the early 1900s, most recently in 1969.
Is the James River safe again?
The water in the 12-mile stretch of the James that was affected by the leak was tested by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on Monday. They determined the bacteria levels are back to “acceptable levels” for recreational water activities.
Are there bull sharks in the James River?
Here in Virginia, we probably don’t have too much occasion to keep double-checking for dorsal fins in the James. Morrissey notes that the bull shark is not common in our waters, preferring tropical and subtropical regions (a preference that, following this past winter, quite a few Virginians likely share).
Are there Muskie in the James River?
The New, Shenandoah and James River all have good populations of musky. Please, don’t be mislead. They are still the fish of 10,000 casts even in Virginia.
What time of year are water moccasins most active?
They primarily live in aquatic and wetland habitats, including swamps, marshes, drainage ditches, ponds, lakes and streams. The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory noted that cottonmouths can be seen year-round during the day and at night, but they primarily hunt after dark, especially in the summer.
What is the most deadliest snake in Virginia?
They are the Eastern Copperheads, Timber Rattlesnakes, and Northern Cottonmouths. Not only are these snakes dangerous, but they are also remarkable in size —large enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone who encounters them. Their bites are potentially fatal to humans and require urgent medical treatment.