Top 10 Freshwater Fish to Catch in Virginia
Top 10 Species
These are the fish that get noticed by FishyAF anglers. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Smallmouth Bass
Verified
World Record
11 lb 15 oz
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
Signature Fact
In winter, they huddle in massive "sleep piles"-hundreds nose-to-current, barely twitching for weeks.
2
Blue Catfish
Verified
World Record
143 lb 0 oz
Richard Nicholas Anderson / 2011
Buggs Island Lake, Virginia
Richard Nicholas Anderson / 2011
Buggs Island Lake, Virginia
Signature Fact
World record: 143 pounds-hook one and the first surge can shove a jon boat sideways.
3
Largemouth Bass
Verified
World Record
22 lb 4 oz
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Signature Fact
High-speed videos show they snap their mouth fully open in about 30 milliseconds, vacuuming prey from 3 inches.
4
Channel Catfish
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
58 lb 0 oz
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Signature Fact
With over 100,000 taste buds, its whole skin acts like a tongue hunting through muddy darkness.
5
Black Crappie
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
11 lb 5 oz
Stanley P. Lopus / 1998
Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania
Stanley P. Lopus / 1998
Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania
Signature Fact
During spawn, males can shift from silvery speckles to almost jet-black while fanning and ferociously guarding saucer nests.
6
Shoal Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
8 lb 12 oz
Lee T. Sisson / 1993
Flint River, Georgia
Lee T. Sisson / 1993
Flint River, Georgia
Signature Fact
Shoal bass is the only black bass built for whitewater, holding in frothing rapids that would sweep others.
7
Chain Pickerel
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
9 lb 6 oz
R. A. Copeland / 1961
Homerville, Georgia
R. A. Copeland / 1961
Homerville, Georgia
Signature Fact
Newly hatched pickerel have a built‑in "Velcro" forehead pad that glues them to plants until the yolk's gone.
8
Flathead
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
123 lb 0 oz
Ken Paulie / 1998
Elk City Reservoir, Kansas
Ken Paulie / 1998
Elk City Reservoir, Kansas
Signature Fact
The IGFA all-tackle record flathead weighed 123 lb 9 oz-basically a kindergarten kid with whiskers.
9
Northern Snakehead
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
19 lb 5 oz
Brandon Palaniuk / 2012
Potomac River, Virginia
Brandon Palaniuk / 2012
Potomac River, Virginia
Signature Fact
This air-breathing predator can wriggle over land and stay alive for days if kept moist.
10
Spotted Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
11 lb 4 oz
Randy Capps / 2014
New Bullards Bar Reservoir, California
Randy Capps / 2014
New Bullards Bar Reservoir, California
Signature Fact
Spotted bass hunt like saltwater wolves, schooling to push bait into balls, then blitzing the surface together.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in Virginia?
You can target smallmouth bass, blue catfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, shoal bass, chain pickerel, flathead, northern snakehead, and spotted bass in Virginia’s freshwater.
What is the best time of year to fish in Virginia?
Spring and fall bring peak action for most freshwater species in Virginia.
Where are the best places to fish in Virginia?
Virginia offers a wide range of freshwater options, from big rivers to small creeks, holding everything from bass to snakehead.
What gear do you need for fishing in Virginia?
Bring medium to heavy rods, sturdy line, and a mix of lures or bait to cover bass, catfish, and other freshwater targets.
What are the easiest fish to catch in Virginia?
Channel catfish, black crappie, and blue catfish are usually the most beginner-friendly catches in Virginia’s freshwater.
