Top Fishing and Paddling Spots in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley
Winter's chill may deter even seasoned cold-water anglers, but spring brings the perfect opportunity to explore the Shenandoah Valley's premier lakes and rivers. With over 20 species of freshwater fish thriving in Virginia waters, the region offers exceptional fishing and paddling adventures. Discover our expert-recommended destinations and start planning your trip today.
Rockbridge County
Newly designated as a scenic river, the Upper James River Water Trail spans 59 miles from Botetourt County's headwaters to Glasgow in Rockbridge County.
A top choice for anglers nationwide, it yields sunfish, smallmouth, spotted, and largemouth bass, plus channel and flathead catfish. Ideal for canoeing, kayaking, and rafting, this trail combines world-class fishing with scenic floats.
In Buena Vista, Glen Maury Park is family-friendly for Maury River fishing. Accessible from banks or the park's boat ramp, it's stocked with trout eight times yearly and holds rock bass, smallmouth bass, fallfish, and bluegills.
For whitewater thrills, tackle the 6-mile Goshen Pass, where the Maury River carves through Little North Mountain. Expect Class II-III rapids and challenging Class IV drops like Corner Rapid and Devil’s Kitchen. Check out this TikTok video of paddling Goshen Pass!
Outfitters and Guides:
- John Roberts Fly Fishing Adventures / Lexington: guided fishing trips
Augusta County
Flowing north through the Valley, the South River merges with the Middle and North Rivers to form the South Fork Shenandoah. Nourished by mountain streams, it supports trout stocking and warm-water species like smallmouth, largemouth, and rock bass, fallfish, and redbreast sunfish. The 4-mile Waynesboro Water Trail from Ridgeview Park to Basic Park features launches, gentle rapids, and one of Virginia's two urban trout fisheries.
Staunton’s Lake Tams, a 2.5-acre pond, is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. Conveniently near downtown with ample parking and shoreline access, it's perfect for all ages.
The North River in Augusta County offers wild brook trout above Elkhorn Lake and stocked delayed-harvest sections below. Kayakers can navigate 26 miles of Class II-IV rapids from Staunton Dam to Spring Creek. In George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, try Braley Pond (4.5 acres, trout, bass, catfish, bluegill), Elkhorn Lake (54 acres, bass, bluegill, sunfish, catfish), Hearthstone Lake (7 acres, cold-water species), and Sherando Lake Recreation Area's upper (7 acres, accessible piers) and lower (20 acres, canoe/kayak) lakes with trout, bass, catfish, and sunfish. Sherando opens April 1 seasonally.
Photo Credit: TwoFisted Heart Productions
Outfitters, Guides, and Rentals:
- South River Fly Shop / Waynesboro: gear and guided trips
- Rockfish Gap Outfitters / Waynesboro: kayak rentals and gear
- Dominion Outdoors / Fishersville: fishing and hunting gear
- Wilderness Adventures / Staunton: gear
Rockingham County
Lake Shenandoah provides easy paddling near Harrisonburg for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, carp, catfish, and musky (note: boat ramp construction completed post-2021). Spot migrating waterfowl too. Silver Lake offers stocked trout. The South Fork Shenandoah excels for smallmouth and largemouth bass.
Legendary for fly fishing, Mossy Creek's 4-mile public stretch (permit required with VA license) yields big brown trout amid private lands managed by landowners, Virginia DWR, and Trout Unlimited.
In George Washington National Forest, 5.5-acre Hone Quarry Lake stocks trout, catfish, bass, sunfish, crappie with primitive launch, camping, and hiking. Nearby 9-acre Briery Branch Lake offers bank or small-boat fishing for catfish and trout (no launch).
Outfitters, Guides, and Rentals:
- Heartland Outfitters / Dayton: fishing and hunting supplies
- Old Dominion Outfitter and Guide Service / McGaheysville: fishing and rafting guides
- Blue Ridge Outdoor Supplies / Elkton: hunting and fishing supplies
- Mossy Creek Fly Fishing Shop / Harrisonburg: gear, classes, guided trips
- Dubby’s Fishing & Hunting / Harrisonburg: fishing and hunting supplies
- WILD GUYde Adventures / Harrisonburg: canoeing guides
- Massanutten River Adventures / Massanutten: canoe, kayak, rafting, tubing
Page and Warren Counties
Luray’s Cave Pond suits catch-and-release fishing, picnics, and walks around the pond near the Singing Tower.
Along the two-mile Luray Hawksbill Greenway, accessible piers on Hawksbill Creek welcome all anglers.
Lake Arrowhead Park's 34-acre lake stocks catfish, plus bass, bluegill, crappie, tiger perch, walleye. Enjoy lifeguarded beach, rentals, and night catfishing (2nd/4th Fridays).
Virginia’s iconic Shenandoah River excels for paddling and smallmouth bass (top global site), largemouth, carp, musky. South Fork has 20 access points.
Front Royal’s Eastham Park offers launches, shoreline, parking, trails, picnics, dog park on South Fork.
Outfitters and Guides:
- Appalachian Trail Outfitters / Luray: shoes, clothes, equipment, gifts
- Shenandoah River Adventures / Shenandoah: self-guided canoe, kayak, tube rentals
- Shenandoah River Outfitters / Luray: self-guided canoe, kayak, tube, raft rentals
- Downriver Canoe Company / Bentonville: self-guided canoe, kayak, raft, tube rentals
- Front Royal Outdoors / Front Royal: fishing, kayak, canoe, raft, tube trips (seasonal)
Shenandoah and Frederick Counties
The North Fork Shenandoah River winds through with clear waters, Massanutten views, wildlife, and top-tier smallmouth bass (U.S. top 10), plus largemouth, catfish, crappie, musky, sunfish. Use public access points.
At Bryce Mountain Resort, 44-acre Lake Laura (dredged, up to 30ft deep) stocks largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, walleye, catfish, pike. Non-motorized crafts Memorial Day onward.
Near Winchester, 20-mile Cedar Creek (Middle Road to Rt. 11) offers Class I-II rapids amid stunning scenery for bass and bluegill.
Outfitters and Guides:
- Murray’s Fly Shop / Edinburg: equipment, gear, guides, classes
- Jake’s Bait and Tackle / Winchester: bait and tackle
Clarke County
The 57-mile Shenandoah River main stem, a state scenic river, flows gently through Clarke to the Potomac. Popular for tubing, canoeing, kayaking with five accesses; excellent for smallmouth bass, largemouth, sunfish, crappie, musky, catfish.
Watermelon Park (27 acres near Berryville) offers fishing, swimming, RV sites, kayak/tube rentals, shuttles for scenic floats.
Licenses and Permits
Secure a valid Virginia freshwater fishing license and check special regulations via the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR).
