Of all Virginia fishing records, the most coveted is held by Richard Tate. It may also be the most likely to fall. Tate was fishing on Lake Conner, near South Boston, in 1985 when he boated a 16 1/4-pound largemouth bass. Ten years later it still stands as the largest ever caught in Virginia.
How do you catch bass on the James River?
Are there bass in the James River?
Smallmouth bass are the dominant game species, but spotted and largemouth bass can also be caught. Smallmouth bass fishing will be good throughout the river. Both the mountain sections (upstream from Lynchburg) and the piedmont sections (between Lynchburg and Richmond) generally provide good fishing.
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.
What fish are biting in the James River?
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). Fishing regulations on the Upper James.
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.
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).
Do you need a fishing license to fish the James River?
One of Virginia’s newest state parks, James River State Park has 1,500 acres with three ponds for fishing: Branch Pond, Green Hill Pond and Taylor Pond in addition to freshwater fishing on the James River. Where fishing is permitted, valid Virginia fishing licenses are required.
How do you catch bait on the James River?
Are there sturgeon in the James River?
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.
Are there shrimp in the James River?
The shrimp found at the Environmental Research Center was one of three found to date in the Chesapeake Bay; two others were discovered in the James River. Ballast water from large ocean going cargo ships is believed to be the leading means by which these shrimp are being introduced to other waters around world.
What is biting at the James River Fishing Pier?
James River: Wilcox Bait and Tackle says the croaker bite has begun. Striped bass are in the river and can be found around lit structures at night. Puppy drum and some gray and speckled trout are also being caught. Catfish action remains strong upriver.
What fish are being caught from the James River Pier?
Pier Anglers catch croaker, spot, flounder, trout and striped bass.
Is the James River fresh or saltwater?
The bay is an estuary, an area where fresh water flowing from land meets salt water from the sea. Scientists consider the bay to consist of its main part near the coast as well as its tidal tributaries, so that would include the James up to Richmond. The James’ water remains fresh until just below Hopewell.
Are there dolphins in the James River?
Dolphins, it seems, are not really uncommon in the Chesapeake Bay, and this one found its way up into the James River. While the James flows through Richmond as freshwater, it quickly turns brackish as it enters the tidal James just below the city.
Is the James River OK to swim in?
While the James is not always crystal clear, it’s still safe for recreation, most of the time. In the last six years, about 85 percent of water quality samples have shown the James is safe for recreation. The other 15 percent showed high levels of bacteria, especially after it rained.
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 did Native Americans call the James River?
History. The Native Americans who populated the area east of the Fall Line in the late 16th and early 17th centuries called the James River the Powhatan River, named for the chief of the Powhatan Confederacy which extended over most of the Tidewater region of Virginia.
Are there trout in the James River?
Adjacent to the James River are several stocked trout streams in some of the Blue Ridge Mountain’s most scenic settings. 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.
Are there walleye in the James River?
James River Fishermen have caught many species of fish, including the popular walleye, cat fish, northern pike, and crappie, as well as muskellunge, American Eel, short-nose gar, gizzard shad, freshwater drum and paddle fish on the river.
Are there walleye in the James River in Virginia?
Spring is a great time on the James River to specifically target walleye, as the various species of rough fish that also call the river home do not become as active until later when the water temperatures rise. Early in the spring while chunks of ice are still floating with the current is when the walleye bite begins.
Are there muskie in GA?
Yes, the state of Georgia has populations of muskie. The fish reside in the northern portions of Georgia, where the water temperatures remain cool. Muskie fish will not survive in waters with high temperatures.
Where can I fish 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.
How much does it cost to fish on the James River Pier?
James River Fishing Pier Some of the species you can catch include Croaker, Spot, Flounder, and of course, Striped Bass. The pier is open from April to October and working hours depend on the season. An adults’ pier fishing fee is $12. Children under 12 and seniors can fish for $6.