Recreation > Fishing

Fishing

Fishing is a popular sport on the New River, Claytor Lake, and the numerous stocked and wild trout streams found throughout Virginia's New River Valley region.

New River

Rivaling the James and Rappahannock rivers as one of the best fishing rivers in Virginia, the New River supports almost every major freshwater game fish in the state, including: smallmouth bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, striped bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, muskellunge, walleye, black crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, yellow perch, redbreast sunfish, and bluegill.

Trout Steams

The climate and topography of Virginia's New River Valley makes for great trout fishing throughout the region. The higher elevations of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains enables area streams to maintain low water temperatures year-round, while the limestone formations abundant in the Great Valley between the mountain provide highly productive spring creeks. See our trout fishing section for more information about the wild and stocked trout streams of New River Valley.

Licenses and Regulations

Visit the Web site of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for more information regarding freshwater fishing regulations in Virginia. For region-specific information, consult the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF): Region 3 Office, 1796 Highway Sixteen, Marion, VA 24354, Tel. (276) 783-4860 - Fax: (276) 783-6115.

Float Fishing Trips

Several commercial guide services and outfitters are located throughout the New River Valley region.

Giles County

Canoe the New Outfitters and Guide Service
Pearisburg, VA

Guided float fishing trips on New River.

New River Angler
Pembroke, VA

Guided float-fishing trips on New River.

Tangent Outfitters
Pembroke, VA

One-half day, full day and multiple day guided fishing trips on New River and low-water light-tackle trips on New River and its tributaries.

Floyd County

Greasy Creek Outfitters
Willis, VA

Guided fishing trips on New River, Claytor Lake and private trout streams.

Outfitters

Giles County

Canoe the New Outfitters and Guide Service
Pearisburg, VA

Outfitter providing canoe, kayak, and raft rentals and shuttle services.

Tangent Outfitters
Pembroke, VA

Canoe and kayak rentals and shuttle services.

Fishing in Nearby Regions

West Virginia

The New River and additional fishing streams and lakes can also be found just north of Virginia New River Valley region, in the neighboring state of West Virginia. Most are within an hour's drive of the Radford/Blacksburg area. Our sister-site, NewRiverWV.com, provides detailed information on fishing in Southern West Virginia, including a list of fishing spots in the New River Gorge region.