Fishing

The Jefferson and George Washington National Forests have more than 2,000 miles of streams and thousands of acres of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Within these water habitats are as many as 100 species of freshwater fish. Excellent fishing opportunities for native brook trout, stocked trout, and warm water fishing can be found.

As the second-largest freshwater lake in the commonwealth, Smith Mountain Lake is a magnet for anglers, who pursue largemouth bass and smallmouth bass (largemouth bass outnumber smallmouth bass 10 to one), and stocks of striped bass. The lake is also home to shad, sunfish, catfish, walleye and other species. Schools of shad linger where warm streams empty into coves. Catch adult walleye along the lower lake ’s shoreline during night hours of spring and fall.

Fishing Licenses:

An annual statewide freshwater fishing license for non-residents costs $35. A five-consecutive-days statewide license is $10. A $1.00 issuance fee will be added to each license sold by license agents. You can also order licenses online at: www.dgif.virginia.gov/buy_license.asp; by telephone (866)693-9157 or by mail (visit the web site, download the application and mail it).



				Fishing The Jefferson and George Washington National Forests have more than 2,000 miles of streams and thousands of acres of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Within these water habitats are as many as 100 species of freshwater fish. Excellent fishing opportunities for native brook trout, stocked trout, and warm water fishing can be found. As the second-largest freshwater lake in the commonwealth, Smith Mountain Lake is a magnet for anglers, who pursue largemouth bass and smallmouth bass (largemouth bass outnumber smallmouth bass 10 to one), and stocks of striped bass. The lake is also home to shad, sunfish, catfish, walleye and other species. Schools of shad linger where warm streams empty into coves. Catch adult walleye along the lower lake ’s shoreline during night hours of spring and fall. Fishing Licenses: An annual statewide freshwater fishing license for non-residents costs $35. A five-consecutive-days statewide license is $10. A $1.00 issuance fee will be added to each license sold by license agents. You can also order licenses online at: www.dgif.virginia.gov/buy_license.asp; by telephone (866)693-9157 or by mail (visit the web site, download the application and mail it).