Map

South River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Virginia, United States

3.0·9 catches

Top fish species at South River

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South River fishing reports

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Brook trout

length · weight

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Brown trout

length · weight

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Rainbow trout

length · weight

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Brown trout

length · weight

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Ruddy bowfin

length · weight

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Chain pickerel

14 in · 1 lb

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General info

South River is a stream located in Caroline County, Virginia, United States. It is also intersecting with Spotsylvania County, Virginia. It is most popular for fishing Brown trout, Chain pickerel, and Brook trout.

Location

38°02′32.8″N 77°34′32.2″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Brown trout biting on South River?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at South River. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at South River, VA

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.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Chain pickerel

Chain pickerel

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

VA SCUBA

It is illegal to use SCUBA gear to take or attempt to take fish. (SCUBA = Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus)

VA Noxious Substances

It is unlawful to use lime, dynamite, or any other substances to destroy fish, or to cast or allow noxious matter to pass into watercourses that might destroy fish or fish spawn, or to deposit trash in streams or lakes or along their banks.

VA Altered Fish

It shall be unlawful for any person, while fishing, to remove the head or tail or otherwise change the appearance of any gamefish (except bluegill sunfish and bream of the sunfish family) having a daily creel or size limit so as to obscure its species or render it impracticable to measure its total original length or count the number of such fish in possession. In addition, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess or transport such altered gamefish while on the water. However, the prohibition against possession and transportation in the previous sentence shall not apply to the preparation of lawfully obtained fish for immediate use as food or any lawful commercial use of such fish.

VA Hook and Line

Fishing in inland waters must be by angling with a hook and line or rod and reel. A hand landing net may be used to land fish legally hooked in all waters. See Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website for exceptions.

Additional information
No length limit. Statewide bag limit = 5 chain pickerel per day. Lake Gaston and Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir: No daily limit
Edibility
Good
Synonyms
Esox niger
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Local laws and licenses

Virginia fishing license

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Reviews of South River

3.0
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1 ratings

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Cities nearby

Lake Land'Or

2.0 miles away

Lake Caroline

4.8 miles away

Bowling Green

12.4 miles away

Mineral

18.2 miles away

Fredericksburg

18.4 miles away

Lake Wilderness

19.8 miles away

Ashland

20.3 miles away

Hanover

22.1 miles away

Port Royal

22.2 miles away

Lake of the Woods

22.5 miles away

Louisa

23.1 miles away

Blue Ridge Shores

24.8 miles away

Rhoadesville

24.9 miles away

Unionville

26.1 miles away

Glen Allen

26.5 miles away

Fairview Beach

26.8 miles away

Short Pump

26.9 miles away

Stafford Courthouse

27.3 miles away

Laurel

28.2 miles away

Goochland

29.5 miles away

Lakeside

30.1 miles away

Mechanicsville

31.1 miles away

Tuckahoe

31.4 miles away

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FAQ about South River fishing

📍 Where is the South River located?
the South River is a stream located in Caroline County, Virginia, United States. It is also intersecting with Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Its coordinates are:
38°02′32.8″N 77°34′32.2″W
.
🎣 Where on the South River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the South River by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the South River?
The most common species in the South River are:
📢 What are the latest South River fishing reports?
The latest South River fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the South River right now?
According to fishing regulations at the South River, some of the species in season this October include: Striped bass, Spotted seatrout, Blacktip shark, Black sea bass, and Bonnethead shark. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the South River?

Fishing in Virginia requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination options, available online or from licensed agents.

In Virginia, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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