Lynchburg has a variety of angling opportunities, within an hour’s drive, you can find brook, rainbow and brown trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, striper, the occasional walleye, musky, chain pickerel, carp, gar, the ever-present sunfish, and catfish.
Closest to home, in the backyard of Downtown Lynchburg, is the James River. Here you’ll find our “warm-water” species. Basically, all of the fish mentioned above except trout. There are several ways to fish the James River; when the water is low you are able to fish the bank and wade into the river with ease. The easiest spots to access the river are at our two canoe launch points (at Riveredge Park and off of 7th street). You can also access the James River through the Percival’s Island trail. When the water is up and in a safe flow you can float a kayak or take a larger boat up and fish spots that aren’t accessed as easily!
Trout are only able to survive in cold water year-round. So, if trout is what you’re searching for, you’ll need to head to one of the James’s tributary streams west of us in the mountains. There you will find targetable populations of trout year-round. Check out some nearby streams and rivers like the Tye River, Piney River, and the Peddler River. However, if you want to stay in the area, Lynchburg has several stocked ponds that get loaded with trout during our winter months for anglers to enjoy. For easy access, check out Ivy Creek Park, Holliday Lake State Park. Watch the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website to find when they stock and show up early, as these are quite popular locations for our locals!
If you want to learn more about fishing around Lynchburg, stop in TaleTellers in Downtown Lynchburg and set up a guided tour, take a fly tying workshop, get some pointers or just pick up some gear, we’ll be happy to help to get you started with your fishing exploration!Plan your LYH fishing trip today! Book your hotel, find restaurants and check on the evening’s entertainment, then cast your line for Lynchburg.
Make it a Virginia trip! Travel around our state and experience why you should Fish Virginia First.
