Fishing
Nobody should miss fishing in the New River.
The New is considered to be a rival of the James and the Rappahannock as one of the best fishing rivers in Virginia. Many populations of about every major freshwater game fish in the state thrive in the New River.
These game fish include 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. Nightcrawlers and hellgrammites are common bait used for fishing.
Popular artificial lures are top-water crank-baits, spinner baits, minnows, or crawfish. Fast water and big rocks are features of the New River, making it a perfect home for big smallmouth bass and flathead catfish. Anybody can pull their canoe up on an island and fish with jigs or spinner baits to hook some fine trophies.
The New River also has several lazy, slow stretches where fisherman can view the spectacular scenery and still have luck fishing for rock bass near grass beds.
The slow waters near dams along the river house big flathead and channel catfish as well as walleye and smallmouth bass when fished with live bate. All sections of the river have populations of flathead and channel catfish.
Good areas to fish for catfish include Narrows, Pearisburg, and Eggleston in Giles County along with other surrounding areas.
Creeks, Streams and Ponds:
- Big and Little Stoney Creek - Premier trout fishing streams
- Newport Trout Farm - Farm trout fishing
- Johns Creek - Trout fishing
- Narrows Town Farm Park - Farm trout fishing
- The Falls at Dismal Creek - Stock trout fishing
- Wolf Creek - Smallmouth bass, blue gill, redeye