Virginia

Old Dominion — Chesapeake Stripers & Mountain Smallmouth

Fishing in Virginia

Virginia offers diverse fishing from Chesapeake Bay stripers to Blue Ridge smallmouth streams and quality bass fishing on its many reservoirs. The James River blue catfish fishery is world-class.

Tournament Scene

Active bass tournament scene on Smith Mountain, Kerr, and Gaston. Chesapeake Bay striper events.

Local Tips

James River for trophy blue catfish. Smith Mountain Lake for bass and stripers. New River for smallmouth. Chesapeake Bay for stripers. Kerr for bass.

Major Trails

B.A.S.S.FLWMLF

Local Circuits

Virginia Bass FederationChesapeake Bay Striper CircuitJames River Catfish Trail

Public Access

Good access on state lakes and Chesapeake Bay.

Species in Virginia

What you can target and when

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

excellent
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best Waters

James River · Lake Gaston · Smith Mountain Lake

JigCrankbaitSpinnerbaitSenko
Striped Bass

Striped Bass

excellent
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best Waters

Chesapeake Bay · James River · Smith Mountain Lake

Bucktail jigTopwater plugSwimbaitSpoon

Top Waters in Virginia

Lakes, rivers, bays, and coastal fisheries

James River

riverPublic AccessBoat RampsKayak

World-class tidal bass fishing and trophy blue catfish.

Top Species

Largemouth BassSmallmouth BassBlue Catfish

Best: Spring/Fall

Smith Mountain Lake

lakePublic AccessBoat RampsKayak

20,600-acre reservoir with excellent bass and striper fishing.

Top Species

Largemouth BassStriped BassMuskie

Best: Spring/Fall

Upcoming Tournaments in Virginia

49 tournaments found

Blue Marlin
Saltwater

Diamond Philpott Marlin Explosion

Philpott, Virginia
Apr 4, 2026 – Apr 6, 2026
Blue Marlin
$1500Details
Striped Bass
Saltwater
2 weeks

Osprey Kerr Lake Bass Tournament

Kerr Lake, Virginia
Apr 22, 2026 – Apr 24, 2026
Striped Bass
$150Details
Largemouth Bass
Youth
3 weeks

Mega Arlington Bass Fest

Arlington, Virginia
May 3, 2026 – May 6, 2026
Largemouth Bass
$500Details
Crappie
Open

Regional Buggs Island Crappie Rodeo

Buggs Island, Virginia
May 22, 2026 – May 23, 2026
Crappie
$400Details
Brown Trout
Fly Fishing

Platinum Richmond Trout Pursuit

Richmond, Virginia
May 23, 2026 – May 26, 2026
Brown Trout
FreeDetails
Bluegill
Youth

Osprey Virginia Beach Bluegill Gauntlet

Virginia Beach, Virginia
May 29, 2026 – May 31, 2026
Bluegill
$750Details

Fishing Licenses & Regulations

Resident License

Annual Resident Freshwater: $23. Saltwater: $23. Combination: $39.

Non-Resident License

Annual Non-Resident Freshwater: $47. Saltwater: $47. 5-Day: $20.

Short-Term License

5-Day non-resident license available.

Youth & Senior

Free for residents under 16 and over 65.

Boat Registration

Required for motorized vessels.

Tournament Permit

Permits required for organized events.

Regulations Overview

5 bass daily limit. 12-inch minimum. Striped bass: complex seasonal regulations. Blue catfish: no limit.

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