Map

Fishing in Ashland, VA

Virginia, United States

App Section

Want trophy-size catches? These Ashland spots deliver

Top fish species in Ashland

Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Blue catfish
Blue catfish
Black crappie
Black crappie

Latest Ashland fishing reports

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Largemouth bass

Rooty Branch

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Green sunfish

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Striped bass

James River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Blue catfish

James River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Green sunfish

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Largemouth bass

16 in · 2 lb

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Blue catfish

James River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Channel catfish

James River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

Smallmouth bass

James River

length · weight

fish catches icon
recently logged catches
Loading...

White bullhead

James River

length · weight

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

About Ashland fishing

Check out the best fishing spots in and around Ashland, Virginia. Anglers using Fishbrain have logged: 16,636 catches for Largemouth bass, 2,915 catches for Bluegill, and 1,530 catches for Channel catfish.

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

Unlock fishing secrets in the app

Discover the best time to fish by species in your area with Bitetime™

Bite time image

Fishing regulations in Ashland

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Virginia can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Largemouth bass as of July 25th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Largemouth bass

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

5

Aggregate

5
Restrictions & requirements
Additional information
No statewide length limit. Statewide regulations are shown above.Exceptions - LAKESBriery Creek Lake: No largemouth or smallmouth bass 16 to 24 inches, only 1 per day longer than 24-inches total lengthBuggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir: Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 14-inches total lengthClaytor Lake: No smallmouth less than 14-inches total lengthFlannagan Reservoir: No largemouth bass less than 12-inches; no smallmouth bass less than 15-inches total lengthLake Gaston: Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 14-inches total lengthLeesville Reservoir: Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 14-inches total lengthLake Moomaw: No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 12-inches total lengthPhilpott Reservoir: No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 12-inches total lengthQuantico Marine Base waters: No largemouth or smallmouth bass 12 to 15-inches total lengthSmith Mt. Lake and its tributaries below Niagara Dam: Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 14-inches total lengthSouth Holston Reservoir: No smallmouth less than 15-inches total lengthExceptions - RIVERS Clinch River–within the boundaries of Scott, Wise, Russell or Tazewell counties: No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 20-inches, only 1 per day longer than 20-inches total lengthDan River and tributaries downstream from the Union Street Dam, Danville: Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 14-inches total lengthJames River–Confluence of the Jackson and Cowpasture rivers (Botetourt Cty) downstream to the 14th St. Bridge in Richmond: No largemouth or smallmouth bass 14 to 22-inches, only 1 per day longer than 22-inches total lengthLevisa Fork River–within the boundaries Buchanan County: No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 20-inches, only 1 per day longer than 20-inches total lengthNew River–Fields Dam (Grayson County) downstream to the VA-WV state line and its tributaries Little River downstream from Little River Dam in Montgomery County, Big Walker Creek from the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge downstream to the New River and Wolf Creek from the Narrows Dam downstream to the New River in Giles County. (Not includING Claytor Lake which is delineated as the upper end of the island at Allisonia downstream to the dam.): No largemouth or smallmouth bass 14 to 22-inches, only 1 per day longer than 22-inches total lengthNorth Fork Holston River–Rt. 91 Bridge upstream of Saltville, Va. downstream to the VA-TN state line: No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 20-inches, only 1 per day longer than 20-inches total lengthPotomac River – Virginia tidal tributaries above Rt. 301 bridge: No largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 15-inches total length from March 1 through June 15Staunton (Roanoke) River–and its tributaries below Difficult Creek, Charlotte County: Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 14-inches total lengthNorth Fork, South Fork and Mainstem Shenandoah River: No largemouth or smallmouth bass 11 to 14-inches total lengthStaunton River–Leesville Dam (Campbell County) downstream to the mouth of Difficult Creek, Charlotte County: No smallmouth bass less than 20-inches, only 1 per day longer than 20-inches total lengthFor additional information, see Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms

Micropterus nigricans

Regulations for

37°45′34.9″N 77°28′17.8″W
Regulations in the map
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

FAQ about Ashland fishing

🎣 Where to fish in Ashland, Virginia?
Anglers in Ashland, VA recommend these top fishing spots: James River, Chickahominy River, Rooty Branch, Mattaponi River, and East Shore Lake.
🐟 What fish can you catch in Ashland?
Most commonly caught species around Ashland, VA:
📢 What are the latest Ashland fishing reports?
The latest Ashland, VA fishing reports are:
📅 What is the best time to go fishing in Ashland?
Download the and see today's Fishing and Weather Forecast for Ashland, VA. We give you weather trends and help you find the perfect window to catch your next personal best. With Fishbrain Pro, you will get the following capabilities:
  • Plan smarter: Get hour-by-hour fishing weather conditions.
  • Fish at peak times: Use BiteTime™ predictions to maximize catches.
  • Stay ahead of the weather: Get hyper-local, real-time updates.

Other cities near Ashland

Hanover

5.5 miles away

Glen Allen

6.5 miles away

Laurel

8.7 miles away

Lakeside

10.1 miles away

Short Pump

10.9 miles away

Mechanicsville

11.2 miles away

Tuckahoe

13.4 miles away

East Highland Park

13.5 miles away

Lake Caroline

15.9 miles away

Richmond

15.9 miles away

Highland Springs

16.4 miles away

Bon Air

17.5 miles away

Lake Land'Or

18.4 miles away

Central Garage

18.6 miles away

Bowling Green

21.4 miles away

Meadowbrook

22.8 miles away

Goochland

23.5 miles away

Brandermill

24.6 miles away

King William

25.1 miles away

Chester

28.2 miles away

Powhatan

29.1 miles away

Mineral

29.2 miles away

New Kent

31.7 miles away