UTERLargemouth bass fishing in Virginia freshwater
In Virginia freshwater, largemouth bass peak April–June and October–November and are around year-round, spawning in May, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Kerr, Gaston and Chickahominy pre-spawn.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Largemouth bass in Virginia freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeakKerr, Gaston and Chickahominy pre-spawn.
- MaySpawningSpawn in the creek arms; Potomac grass bass on the beds.
- JunePeak
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish largemouth bass near James River, Smith Mountain Lake, Kerr Reservoir
The tidal James' trophy blue cats, Smith Mountain's stripers, the New and the James for smallmouth and muskie, Kerr and Gaston, and Shenandoah valley trout.
What to use for largemouth bass
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–92°F water, best at 62–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch largemouth bass in Virginia freshwater?
Peak season is April–June and October–November, with fish spawning in May (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Largemouth bass are here year-round. April: Kerr, Gaston and Chickahominy pre-spawn.
Where do largemouth bass hold in Virginia freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, pond / pit, river, creek / stream, dock / pilings — around James River, Smith Mountain Lake, Kerr Reservoir, New River, Lake Anna, Chickahominy River.
What is the best bait for largemouth bass in Virginia freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers, crayfish. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for largemouth bass in Virginia freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (Virginia DWR) and change — read the current rule at https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/regulations/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://dwr.virginia.gov/licenses/.
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All about largemouth bass · Virginia fresh water, the whole year