Catching Your Fish. The New River offers anglers the opportunity to catch bass (smallmouth, largemouth, striped, and rock), walleye, muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, carp, or flathead and channel catfish.
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Where is the best fishing on the New River?
Good areas to fish for Catfish downstream from Claytor Lake include the river just below Claytor Dam, below Pepper’s Ferry Bridge (Route 114), the Whitethorne and Belspring areas (all three locations are in Montgomery County), and Narrows, Pearisburg, and Eggleston in Giles County.
Is fishing good on the New River?
One of the reasons the New River is widely considered one of the best fishing locales in West Virginia is because it’s home to 11 common fish species: bass (smallmouth, largemouth, striped, and rock), walleye, muskie, crappie, bluegill, carp, and catfish (flathead, and channel).
What is the best bait to use on the New River?
Nightcrawlers and hellgrammites are common bait used for fishing. Popular artificial lures are top-water crank-baits, spinner baits, minnows, or crawfish. Dark-colored lures work better in murky water conditions and bright-colored lures in clear water.
Where is the best smallmouth fishing on the New River?
The New River below Claytor Lake Dam offers some of the best smallmouth action in the entire state. And spring is certainly prime time. Terry Pleskonko of Mount Sidney caught this citation smallmouth on the McCoy Falls to Eggleston float.
What is the deepest part of the New River?
The New river splits several geographic regions in the Appalachians, and is considered a pathway for southern plant and animal species to migrate from south to north. The deepest point of the river in the gorge is about 55 feet deep near the abandoned mining town of Sewell.
How do you fish with minnows in a river?

Are smallmouth bass native to the New River?
Smallmouth Bass are the most abundant bass species in the New River. During a 2014 New River angler survey, 84 percent of the anglers downstream from Claytor Lake fished for Smallmouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass were the top species of fish caught. The New River is one of the top Virginia rivers for Smallmouth Bass.
How do you bass fish a river?

Can you keep fish in WV?
2. A statewide 30-fish daily creel and 60-fish possession limit is now in place for each of the following fish species: black and white crappie in aggregate, bluegill and all other sunfish species in aggregate, all other game fish currently not under a creel limit and yellow perch.
Does New River flow north?
It flows north from the Ashe-Alleghany County line into Virginia and West Virginia, entering the Kanawha River at Charleston, W.Va. The New River is unique among North Carolina rivers for several reasons. It is believed to be the only major river in the United States to flow north.
Can you fish in New River Fort Lauderdale?
About South New River Canal The most popular species caught here are Largemouth bass, Butterfly peacock bass, and Oscar. 313 catches are logged on Fishbrain. Please use your best judgement when determining where you can fish, and make sure you follow local regulations.
Is the New River in Virginia clean?
The New River is one of the world’s oldest rivers and also one of the most pristine, thanks partly to the efforts by the Radford University family, City of Radford volunteers and surrounding communities to keep it clean.
Does New River NC have trout?
The New River is home to many species of freshwater game fish including bass, trout, walleye, muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, carp, or flathead and channel catfish. It is considered, by many, as one of the finest smallmouth rivers in the country.
How do you catch the summer river in smallmouth?
Look for: downed trees and submerged logs, which provide cover and are an ideal lair for ambush predators like smallmouth. Deeper riffles that offer cover, current, oxygenated water, and a steady supply of food. Pocket water and boulder fields. Most of all, look for fishable locations that are near deeper water.
What kind of fish are in the South Fork of the New River in North Carolina?
“Anglers fishing this stretch of river can expect to catch smallmouth bass, redbreast sunfish, rock bass and wild brown trout,” said Kin Hodges, a district biologist with the Commission.
Why is the New River special?
The New River is one of the most scenic, historical rivers that flows through the United States. The New River sits at 320 miles long and is millions of years old. This river is the third oldest river in the world and flows through three states and five mountain ranges.
Is the New River the oldest river in the US?
New River: 260-325 Million Years Old The New River is the oldest river in the United States. However, as you can see from the top three oldest rivers in the country, the New River could very well be older or newer than the Susquehanna River and the French Broad River.
What is the best bait for minnows?
Various household items serve as good bait for minnows. Peanut butter, bread, crackers, live insects, and cat and dog food are all examples of cheap bait that spread from the trap.
Where is the best place to hook a minnow?
If you intend to cast multiple times, the best way to hook the minnow is through its lips. Start by hooking the lower lip and then the upper; the hook will be upright, and should allow the minnow to move normally. Another effective method is to hook through the minnow’s spine.
What is the best bait for fishing?
Some of the best freshwater fishing bait include worms, leeches, minnows, crayfish, crickets and grasshoppers. Select good saltwater baits including sea worms, eels, crabs, shrimp, strips of squid, and cut-up pieces of fish. You can purchase live bait, or better yet, find your own to save money.
Where are smallmouth bass in NC?
In North Carolina, smallmouth bass often inhabit coolwater streams, lakes and reservoirs in the western part of the state. They are rarely found in small ponds or lakes less than 25 feet deep or in any water that is continuously murky or polluted.
Are smallmouth bass native to North Carolina?
Smallmouth bass are native to interior eastern North America west of the Appalachians but have been widely introduced elsewhere.
Where can I fish at Red River Gorge?
Swift Camp Creek is a remote solitude trout stream located on the eastern side of the Red River Gorge in the Clifty Wilderness. The rainbow trout here are backpacked stocked by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, local fly fishing club members, and other volunteers.
What is the best bait for bass in a river?
A top lure for river bass is a soft plastic crawfish either Texas-rigged on a worm hook or attached to a lightweight jig. Heavier jigs tend to fall to the bottom whereas a lightweight model or a light sinker on the Texas rig is swept by the current right in front of a bass’ nose.