Donaldson Run

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Virginia, United States

4.3·14 catches

Logged catches

4.3

Top fish species at Donaldson Run

Blue catfish

American shad

Hickory shad

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Donaldson Run fishing reports

Blue catfish

length · weight

Hickory shad

length · weight

28 in · 8 lb

Blue catfish

length · weight

Blue catfish

length · weight

Red grouper

length · weight

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Fishing regulations at Donaldson Run, 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.

Local laws and licenses

Virginia fishing license

Get license

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round

Blue catfish

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters

Bag limit20

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

VA Trotlines

Trotlines, juglines (noodles), or set poles (limb lines) may be used to take nongame fish and turtles provided they are not baited with live bait (worms are permissible), except on designated stocked trout waters, Department-owned lakes, and within 600 feet of any dam. Live bait other than game fish may be used on trot lines to take catfish in Carroll, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski and Wythe counties, and in the Clinch River in Russell, Scott, and Wise counties. Any person setting or possessing the above equipment shall have it clearly marked by permanent means with his or her name, address, and telephone number, and is required to check all lines and remove all fish and animals caught each day. All trotlines, juglines, or set poles must be removed from public waters when not in use.

Additional information

No statewide length limit.Exceptions to statewide limits:Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Difficult Creek, Charlotte County: 20 per day, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32-inches total lengthDan River and its tributaries to the Banister River, Halifax County: 20 per day, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32-inches total lengthJames River and its tributaries below the fall line: No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inchesRappahannock River and its tributaries below the fall line: No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inchesYork River and its tributaries (including the Pamunkey River and Mattaponi River) below the fall line: No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inchesLake Gaston: No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inchesSouth Holston Reservoir: 20 catfish per day, only 1 catfish per day longer than 34-inches total lengthAll rivers below the fall line other than the James River and its tributaries, the Rappahannock River and its tributaries, and the York River and its tributaries: No daily limitBow and Arrow (including crossbows) may be used to take common carp, grass carp, northern snakehead, and gar (fishing license required) during day and night hours, except from waters stocked with trout. Bowfin and catfish may be taken in tidal waters. Spearguns and poisoned arrows are prohibited.Any common carp, grass carp, northern snakehead, goldfish, catfish, longnose gar, or bowfin taken with bow and arrow must be retained and must not be released back into or disposed of into the water. These fishes may not be disposed of on property abutting the body of water of capture.For more information, see Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Edibility

Very good

Synonyms

Ictalurus furcatus

Season open: year-round

American shad

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters

Bag limit0

Restrictions & requirements

Catch and Release Only

Daily Creel Limit = 0 (Catch and Release Fishing Only)

Additional information

No possession (catch and release only).For more information, see Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Edibility

Poor

Synonyms

Alosa sapidissima

Season open: year-round

Hickory shad

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters

Restrictions & requirements

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 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

Meherrin River below Emporia Dam, Nottoway River, Blackwater River (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest rivers, and their tributaries plus Back Bay: bag limit = 10 hickory shad per daylength limit = noneAbove and below the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay and their tributaries:bag limit and length limits as set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. For more information, see Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Edibility

Poor

Synonyms

Alosa mediocris

Local laws and licenses

Virginia fishing license

Get license

Cities nearby

Arlington

2.3 miles away

Brookmont

3.1 miles away

Falls Church

3.8 miles away

Friendship Heights Village

3.8 miles away

3.9 miles away

4.2 miles away

4.5 miles away

4.5 miles away

4.9 miles away

5.1 miles away

5.1 miles away

5.2 miles away

Chevy Chase Section Three

5.2 miles away

Bethesda

5.2 miles away

Washington

5.2 miles away

Martin's Additions

5.3 miles away

Chevy Chase Section Five

5.5 miles away

6.2 miles away

6.6 miles away

6.9 miles away

7.0 miles away

8.5 miles away

8.6 miles away

9.3 miles away

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FAQ about Donaldson Run fishing

📍 Where is the Donaldson Run located?

the Donaldson Run is a stream located in Arlington County, Virginia, United States. Its coordinates are:

38°54′40″N 77°06′49″W

🎣 Where on the Donaldson Run is it best to fish?

Find the best fishing spots on the Donaldson Run 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 Donaldson Run?

The most common species in the Donaldson Run are:

Blue catfish - 4 members reported to have caught this fish
American shad - 3 members reported to have caught this fish
Hickory shad - 2 members reported to have caught this fish

📢 What are the latest Donaldson Run fishing reports?

The latest Donaldson Run fishing reports are:

@AdrianLikesFishing reported a nice Blue catfish.
@3day.fishing reported a nice Hickory shad.
@BigBlueCats reported a nice Blue catfish.
@BigBlueCats reported a nice Blue catfish.

🗓️ What species are in season at the Donaldson Run right now?

According to fishing regulations at the Donaldson Run, some of the species in season this November 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 Donaldson Run?

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.

Get license

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Donaldson Run

Top fish species at Donaldson Run

Donaldson Run fishing reports

General info

Location

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Donaldson Run, VA

Regulations for top species

Blue catfish

American shad

Hickory shad

Reviews of Donaldson Run

Other fishing waters nearby

Cities nearby

Anything missing or inaccurate?

FAQ about Donaldson Run fishing