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Common Ground News

What fish are running in the James River?

Author

Penelope Carter

Updated on March 03, 2026

What fish are running in the James River?

While the Smallmouth bass is the dominant game species in the river, spotted and largemouth bass can also be caught. Other species are also plentiful in the James River, including channel catfish, flat head catfish, and various sunfish species (redbreast, bluegill, and rock bass).

Regarding this, what's biting at James River Fishing Pier?

The James River Bridge Fishing Pier is located adjacent to Huntington Park off Interstate 64 in Newport News Virginia. Anglers fishing at James River Bridge Fishing Pier may catch croaker, spot, striped bass, flounder, gray trout, red drum, kingfish, channel catfish, blue crabs, and other species.

Also Know, are there catfish in the James River? The James River is Virginia's best body of water for catfish. The river boasts the state-record blue cat and remains for many anglers the state's best bet for a trophy.

Likewise, what is the biggest fish in the James River?

Atlantic sturgeon, one of the oldest and largest fish on earth (growing upward of 14 feet long and weighing more than 800 pounds) were once found in huge numbers along the Atlantic Coast and coastal rivers from Canada to Florida.

Where can I fish on the James River?

Public boat access in the freshwater fishing section the tidal James River is available at:

  • Ancarrow Landing, in Richmond.
  • Osborne Landing in Henrico County.
  • Dutch Gap in Chesterfield County.
  • Deep Bottom in Henrico County.
  • Chickahominy Riverfront Park in James City County.
  • Lawnes Creek Landing in Surry County.

How much does it cost to fish on the James River Fishing Pier?

The cost is $9 for adults and $7 for seniors and children 6-12. No fishing license is required and bait and tackle are available for purchase. Contact the James River Fishing Pier at 757-247-0364.

How do you fish the James River?

The go-to method for catching them is to swim a live bait (small bluegill work well) in deep holes. The big predators in the Downstream James are mainly blue catfish. The current record – set in 2009 - is 102 pounds, and several fish over 50 pounds are caught every week throughout the year.

What fish are running at Virginia Beach?

The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier is reporting small spot, roundhead and an occasional ribbon fish or spanish mackerel. Offshore trollers are finding yellowfin tuna, mahi, marlin and swordfish. Deep droppers are catching tilefish. Inshore ocean wrecks are holding seabass and flounder.

Can you fish on Sandbridge Beach?

You are welcome to fish along the beach at Sandbridge. Please be observant of swimmers and use caution. Fishing permits are required for surf fishing as well. Permits are available at the local WalMart located at Red Mill Commons Shopping Center just a few minutes away.

How much does it cost to fish at Virginia Beach Fishing Pier?

Fishing on the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier

To fish off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, it costs $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. A favorite among tourists and locals, there's much to do on the pier other than just fishing. To simply walk along the fishing pier and take in the sights, it costs $2.

What is the longest fishing pier in Virginia?

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA/USA - JULY 22, 2019: The Ocean View fishing pier and restaurant, which at 1690 feet, is known as the longest free-standing fishing pier in North America.

Are there sharks in the James River?

Considered one of the most aggressive sharks in the water scientists say the bull shark can adapt to fresh water pretty easily so it's quite conceivable that one of the sharks could make its way up the James. Ben Dacey fishes the James River frequently.

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 eels in the James River?

“Eel wrangler†holding American eel found in recent survey of James River in Virginia. While many eels choose to stay near the coast, others swim hundreds of miles upstream—even into mountain streams—where they will live for a decade or more until they return to the Sargasso Sea to reproduce and die.

Can you fish at Dutch Gap?

The barge pit, an old sand and gravel quarry that's now part of the Dutch Gap Conservation Area, is also a good place for catfish in the spring when they are spawning, says Mick. “Anywhere where there is a point or jetty, you can fish for stripers or bass.

Are sturgeon in the James River?

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. Atlantic sturgeon in the James River were listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 2012.

What is biting in the Chesapeake Bay?

Our primary targets are Cobia, Red Drum, Spanish Mackerel, and an assortment of bottom fish. This is by far some of the best fishing of the year as we chase the Cobia and Red Drum that average between 30 and 60lbs.

Where is Dutch Gap on the James River?

Dutch Gap Canal is located on the James River in Chesterfield County, Virginia just north of the lost 17th-century town of Henricus.

What's the biggest catfish caught 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.

What's the biggest catfish caught?

The Mekong giant catfish is the official freshwater heavyweight champion of the world. According to the Guinness Book of Records, a nine-foot-long individual caught in northern Thailand in 2005 weighted an astounding 646 pounds, making it the largest exclusively freshwater fish ever recorded.

What kind of catfish are in the James River?

The two fish species that mostly live on the bottom of the James River and have mouths that are on the bottom of each fish are Hog Choker's and Blue Catfish.

Is Dutch Gap open?

Dutch Gap is open daily during daylight hours and admission is free.

What do you use for catfish bait?

10 Best Catfish Bait – Both Live and Artificial
  1. Chicken Livers. Chicken livers are traditionally the best way to catch catfish if you're fishing in deeper waters.
  2. Asian Carp.
  3. Crawfish.
  4. Nightcrawlers.
  5. Stink Bait.
  6. Punch Bait.
  7. Blood Bait.
  8. Shrimp.

Where is the best catfishing in Virginia?

There are many good catfish waters in the state, but Buggs Island (Kerr Reservoir) and the lower Rappahannock and James rivers are the three most consistent locations. Here are some tips on how to latch onto one of these whiskered inland giants, which include blue, channel and flathead species.

What fish are biting in the York river?

In the lower York, anglers catch croakers, spot, weakfish, silver perch, bluefish, flounder, and other species. As the river approaches the Chesapeake Bay, encounters with cobia, black drum, sandbar sharks, cownose rays, southern stingrays, and other saltwater species become more common.

How big do catfish get in Virginia?

In Virginia, we have three major species of catfish — blues, flatheads and channels cats. Of the three, channel cats are the most common, found in all of our major lakes and rivers. Channel cats are the smallest of the three, averaging 3 to 5 pounds. The state record is currently 32 pounds, caught in Lake Chesdin.

Is the James River brackish?

The bay is an estuary, an area where fresh water flowing from land meets salt water from the sea. The James' water remains fresh until just below Hopewell.

Where can I catch big catfish in Virginia?

The major containing a healthy population of catfish include Claytor Lake, Kerr Reservoir, Lake Anna, Lake Chesdin, Lake Drummond, Lake Gaston, Lake Moomaw, Leesville Reservoir, Occoquan Reservoir, Philpott Lake, Smith Mountain Lake, South Holston Lake, Swift Creek Reservoir and Western Branch Lake.

Where can I fish in Lynchburg VA?

Fishing Spots Near Lynchburg VA
  • James River State Park. Gladstone, VA.
  • Bedford Fishing And Hunting. Bedford, VA.
  • Holliday Lake State Park. Appomattox, VA.
  • Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Huddleston, VA.
  • Wintergreen Resort. Nellysford, VA.
  • Douthat State Park. Millboro, VA.
  • Staunton River State Park.
  • Bear Creek Lake State Park.

Is there bass in the James River?

From the confluence of the Jackson and Cowpasture Rivers in Botetourt County, downstream to Richmond, the James River offers a wide range of angling opportunities and settings. Smallmouth bass are the dominant game species, but spotted and largemouth bass can also be caught.

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