Northern VA Help!! Lakes/ponds 2024

ttonagel34 reply :

I am pretty new to Northern VA and don't know many places to fish in the area. I moved here from Indiana a few months back. I don't own a boat, so if anyone has some advice on some shore fishing on both lakes and ponds that can be atleast decent, that would be great. I do plan on renting a boat a few times, but am looking for a few ponds or lakes to fish from the shore in between renting. I'm located in Lorton, VA in Fairfax County.

Help a brotha out!

JCrzy4Bass reply :

Pm sent. Check your messages.

soccplayer07 reply :

welcome to the NoVa crew. You'll learn a lot here!

stevecastle reply :

Quote
I am pretty new to Northern VA and don't know many places to fish in the area. I moved here from Indiana a few months back. I don't own a boat, so if anyone has some advice on some shore fishing on both lakes and ponds that can be atleast decent, that would be great. I do plan on renting a boat a few times, but am looking for a few ponds or lakes to fish from the shore in between renting. I'm located in Lorton, VA in Fairfax County.
Help a brotha out!

I'm with you on the bank fishing. I've just started fishing around here recently and finding somewhere to fish from the bank that is productive is proving difficult. I took up fishing to spend some quality time with my 14 year old son and he loves it, so i need ti find some decent places to take him.

Nitrofreak reply :

Have you guys tried Barcroft lake?

Dan: reply :

it's private and mostly lined with backyards

Nitrofreak reply :

How far are you all willing to travel?

And are you kidding me? WOW its been a long time since I left there.

What about lake Manassas? That really was a great place to fish

A.Do? reply :

Lake manassas? wow, you must be old if you remember fishing there JK! It's been closed to the public for a loooong time. They're trying to open it back up now so maybe in like 2 years!

Dan: reply :

Nitrofreak, if you don't mind me asking...where are you in H'burg? I used to live near Cantrell and Reservoir when I went to school at JMU.

ymduhh reply :

pm sent

darchu reply :

I too just moved to the area, really close to Royal Lake actually. How's the bank fishing there? I noticed some kayaks on the bank, are they for rent?

Thanks a lot

Nitrofreak reply :

Dan,

Sent you a pm check your messages.

Nitrofreak reply :

Yea, it has been a long time since I have been home I guess since you all are telling me this stuff.

Man that place must have gone to the crapper or it belongs to the rich and famous now, Oh well either way I guess its gone.

Darn and I was hoping to take my children there someday.

Lake Mannassas was a great place to fish it had some really big crappie there.

m4gicm4tt reply :

I was surprised to see a the pm's. I guess everyone is afraid of people overcrowding the lakes and ponds. Although I'm not new to the area, I would love to explore better places to fish as well, maybe you could share some of the pm's info with me.

Anyway, I have had a great time at lake braddock(semi private, i see lots of outsiders there though), and mercer.

I am not sure of the etiquette here about info sharing so I wont go crazy talking about places. (if you are interested in spots i will gladly share)

I wish this forum were a bit more open, but I guess if I were an even better fisherman I would want to keep my job security intact and go easy on the sharing.

Nitrofreak reply :

Quote
I was surprised to see a the pm's. I guess everyone is afraid of people overcrowding the lakes and ponds. Although I'm not new to the area, I would love to explore better places to fish as well, maybe you could share some of the pm's info with me.
Anyway, I have had a great time at lake braddock(semi private, i see lots of outsiders there though), and mercer.

I am not sure of the etiquette here about info sharing so I wont go crazy talking about places. (if you are interested in spots i will gladly share)

I wish this forum were a bit more open, but I guess if I were an even better fisherman I would want to keep my job security intact and go easy on the sharing.

If you want to find somewhere to fish other than your local waters all you have to do is ask.

It's pretty obvious I have not been to my home town in a long time but I am located in north west Va. and if you are willing to travel then I will be happy to help you out.

ggfishing reply :

I live in falls church and I have been fishing for around 10 times, mostly @ river bent, and great falls, never got any decent fish. :-[ Recently I have some time, just got a new 6ft ugly stick, a bunch of lures and so ready to fish for some good ones. could you guys give me some advices as well. Thanks a lot....

PS, I got a car but no boat...

Nitrofreak reply :

ggfishing,

Sent you a pm... just kidding lol

Since things have obviously changed around my old stomp'n grounds I really cant help you much...But if you are coming close to my area some day I will help you.

There are a lot of river stretches and little lakes here where you can enjoy fishing from Front Royal to Harrisonburg which is where I live.

What do you want to fish for Bass, Northern Pike, or just fishing in general?

And if you are interested I can help you find a place to rent a canoe.

ggfishing reply :

Thanks for the reply.

I fish whatever I can get... still at greedy newbie stage.

If you can give me some names of creeks or coordinates (no intention to steal ur sweet holes.) in your area where is good to fish from bank, that ll be greatly helpful.

Quote
ggfishing,
Sent you a pm... just kidding lol

Since things have obviously changed around my old stomp'n grounds I really cant help you much...But if you are coming close to my area some day I will help you.

There are a lot of river stretches and little lakes here where you can enjoy fishing from Front Royal to Harrisonburg which is where I live.

What do you want to fish for Bass, Northern Pike, or just fishing in general?

And if you are interested I can help you find a place to rent a canoe.

Nitrofreak reply :

I have no secrets when it comes to fishing, Me personally I want people to have fun fishing after all that's what it is supposed to be about anyway.

Mostly I will fish the Shenandoah river in Luray Va. and mostly from a boat but I will gather some info for you on specific road names and such and find out exactly where you will be able to fish from shore.

There is also a new state park that recently opened up between Front Royal and Luray that has lots of different species of fish you can catch like carp, bass, etc...

That is on rt. 340 off of 66.

I tend to like the rivers more than the lakes you have better luck on them.

But I will post some info on the smaller lakes and such on Tuesday for you.

Dan: reply :

^Raymond R. "Andy" Guest Jr. State Park

Very nice park, just be careful, it can be a difficult wade.

Nitrofreak reply :

Yes thank tou Dan I could not think of it for the life of me.

AnglerNFuego reply :

Quote
^Raymond R. "Andy" Guest Jr. State Park
Very nice park, just be careful, it can be a difficult wade.

Dan, did you do a day visit or did you camp out? How was the fishing?

ggfishing reply :

Thanks guys for the info.

fished @ Fountainhead from shore this afternoon for like 4 hours.

A baby bass, a couple of blue gills and a crappie were caught and released.

Dan: reply :

Quote

Quote
^Raymond R. "Andy" Guest Jr. State Park
Very nice park, just be careful, it can be a difficult wade.

Dan, did you do a day visit or did you camp out? How was the fishing?

I've done both. That park is basically where I started fishing. Me and a friend used to go there a lot during the summer after high school. The campsites are nice but kind of mushed together. The fishing was decent. We caught LOTS of fish but almost all were small. Of course, that was closer to the time of the fish kills so there should be some larger fish around now. That stretch is full of big bedrock which is fun for fishing (I like throwing topwaters in those types of areas) but it makes it very difficult to wade. There is a canoe/kayak launch at one corner of the large parking lot. I would imagine a canoe or kayak would make it much more comfortable to fish.

AnglerNFuego reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote
^Raymond R. "Andy" Guest Jr. State Park
Very nice park, just be careful, it can be a difficult wade.

Dan, did you do a day visit or did you camp out? How was the fishing?

I've done both. That park is basically where I started fishing. Me and a friend used to go there a lot during the summer after high school. The campsites are nice but kind of mushed together. The fishing was decent. We caught LOTS of fish but almost all were small. Of course, that was closer to the time of the fish kills so there should be some larger fish around now. That stretch is full of big bedrock which is fun for fishing (I like throwing topwaters in those types of areas) but it makes it very difficult to wade. There is a canoe/kayak launch at one corner of the large parking lot. I would imagine a canoe or kayak would make it much more comfortable to fish.

Thanks. I might have to give it a whirl.

Nitrofreak reply :

As promised here are a few of my most favorite spots for you ggfishing and whoever else.

First is "Andy" State Park on Rt. 340

From there follow 340 toward Luray and merge onto Rt. 211 West toward New Market for approx 6 to 8 miles and turn right onto Rt. 615, Follow 615 approx 4 mi. to a public boat ramp on the right park there and you will be able to fish from there all the way down to the dam approx. a mile... if you bank fish you will encounter some private property but if you ask the people there they are generally kind and do not mind letting you fish.

Next place is called North River and is located in Bridgewater Va.

66 to 81 south exit 240 turn right at the top of the exit and follow it straight through the first stop light and at the next stop light turn left and go approx. 2 tenths of a mile and turn right on west bank st. and follow that until you enter wild wood park you can fish from the banks there no problems.

Next place is Elkhorn lake

From the stop light in Bridgewater turn left and go across North river and turn right onto spring creek rd. follow it to the stop sign and turn left that will be sangersville rd. follow sangersville rd. all the way to the next stop sign and turn right onto stokesville rd. follow that until you reach NF-95 or it's called leading ridge rd. and turn left ( if you hit the gravel road you have gone too far) follow NF-95 until you come to a stop sign and turn right and continue on until you cross a narrow bridge and Elkhorn lake will be on your left there will be a sign.

Now for my favorite spot this place is called Hearthstone lake and offers some of the biggest Northern pike I have seen because it is stocked with them.

As stated above instead of turning left onto NF-95 you want to stay straight on stokesville rd. and take the gravel rd. that will be Tillman rd. follow the gravel rd. until you see a sign that says Hearthstone lake it's a steep little climb and the road into there can be rough after a rain so be careful but you can fish from the banks at all of these places.

I hope this helps.

Good luck have fun and be safe!!!

slickdub reply :

Anybody have any experiences with Lake Audubon and Lake Thoreau in Reston, Va?

I have been fishing at most of the the available bank areas in NoVa over the past 10 years and from my experiences there are some good bass to be had a lot of local suburban ponds in Ashburn and for river had some good luck at Riverbend Park and Carder Rock on Md side of the Potomac (Virginia License is accepted there 8-))

Now for my question. Does anyone know of any NoVa spots open for fishing at night. Wheather for bass or catfish? :-?

Dan: reply :

Burke and Brittle are open at night.

Dan: reply :

Quote

Next place is called North River and is located in Bridgewater Va.

66 to 81 south exit 240 turn right at the top of the exit and follow it straight through the first stop light and at the next stop light turn left and go approx. 2 tenths of a mile and turn right on west bank st. and follow that until you enter wild wood park you can fish from the banks there no problems.

Is that the one near the Rt. 42 bridge that crosses the North River or the one that is back in the neighborhood just upstream near the dam?

I used to fish at both of those parks. I always did better at the little park by the bridge. I caught a pike there one time and lots of largemouth on topwater over the weedbed that grows there when the water is warm.

Nitrofreak reply :

Yep !!! That would be the one Dan.

Dan: reply :

If the weeds have grown in, throw a buzz frog or spro frog over those mats.

I've also caught smallmouth just downstream from there behind the Par 3 golf course

Nitrofreak reply :

Oops!! Sorry,

The north river runs through Bridgewater and the park is the one tucked back behind the town with the little bridge.

Nitrofreak reply :

Yea I caught a 3 lb last time there, small mouth that is.

slickdub reply :

Quote
Burke and Brittle are open at night.

Thanks man, For Burke dont you have to pay to get in/ camp there to fish at night?

Dan: reply :

I don't know about camping but if you just want to fish at night you can park and fish for free, you just have to use the VDGIF entrance/parking area and ramp if you are launching.

Nitrofreak reply :

Dan,

Are you talking about beside the airport where you caught those smallies?

Dan: reply :

yep. There is also a small VDOT area HERE: 38.369355,-78.969032 where I used to fish sometimes as well.

Nitrofreak reply :

Under the bridge?

Dan: reply :

This is another spot in addition to the Rt. 42 bridge. Put the coordinates into google maps and you will see where it is. It's at the one end of the golf course.

Nitrofreak reply :

Dan,

AHHH HAAAA You sly little devil you

Dan: reply :

It's a decent spot. My favorite was by the Rt. 42 bridge when the weeds were grown in.

ggfishing reply :

Thanks man, that's definitely helpful...

I am still trying and trying......

Quote
As promised here are a few of my most favorite spots for you ggfishing and whoever else.
First is "Andy" State Park on Rt. 340

From there follow 340 toward Luray and merge onto Rt. 211 West toward New Market for approx 6 to 8 miles and turn right onto Rt. 615, Follow 615 approx 4 mi. to a public boat ramp on the right park there and you will be able to fish from there all the way down to the dam approx. a mile... if you bank fish you will encounter some private property but if you ask the people there they are generally kind and do not mind letting you fish.

Next place is called North River and is located in Bridgewater Va.

66 to 81 south exit 240 turn right at the top of the exit and follow it straight through the first stop light and at the next stop light turn left and go approx. 2 tenths of a mile and turn right on west bank st. and follow that until you enter wild wood park you can fish from the banks there no problems.

Next place is Elkhorn lake

From the stop light in Bridgewater turn left and go across North river and turn right onto spring creek rd. follow it to the stop sign and turn left that will be sangersville rd. follow sangersville rd. all the way to the next stop sign and turn right onto stokesville rd. follow that until you reach NF-95 or it's called leading ridge rd. and turn left ( if you hit the gravel road you have gone too far) follow NF-95 until you come to a stop sign and turn right and continue on until you cross a narrow bridge and Elkhorn lake will be on your left there will be a sign.

Now for my favorite spot this place is called Hearthstone lake and offers some of the biggest Northern pike I have seen because it is stocked with them.

As stated above instead of turning left onto NF-95 you want to stay straight on stokesville rd. and take the gravel rd. that will be Tillman rd. follow the gravel rd. until you see a sign that says Hearthstone lake it's a steep little climb and the road into there can be rough after a rain so be careful but you can fish from the banks at all of these places.

I hope this helps.

Good luck have fun and be safe!!!

13651

Northern VA Help!! Lakes/ponds 2024

related Southeast Bass Fishing topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Southeast Bass Fishing topic