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Hughes River

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Virginia, United States

4.0·23 catches

Top fish species at Hughes River

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Hughes River fishing reports

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Rock bass

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Rock bass

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Rock bass

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Redbreast sunfish

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Rock bass

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Rock bass

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General info

Hughes River is a stream located in Madison County, Virginia, United States. It is also intersecting with Culpeper County, Virginia. It is most popular for fishing Brook trout, Rock bass, and Rainbow trout.

Location

38°33′42.2″N 78°15′54.7″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Hughes 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
Rock bass

Rock bass

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit25

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.

Aggregate limit25

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

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 statewide length limit. Statewide regulations are shown above.ExceptionsNottoway, Meherrin, and Blackwater (Franklin County), Falling and Smith rivers and their tributaries:Bag limit = 5 Roanoke bass per day in the aggregate (combined) with rock bassSize limit = no Roanoke bass less than 8-inches total lengthFor additional information, see Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Edibility
Good
Synonyms
Ambloplites rupestris
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Local laws and licenses

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Reviews of Hughes River

4.0
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2 ratings

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1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Sperryville

6.8 miles away

Luray

12.5 miles away

Madison

12.6 miles away

Stanley

12.9 miles away

Culpeper

15.7 miles away

Flint Hill

16.6 miles away

Shenandoah

19.7 miles away

Stanardsville

20.4 miles away

Brandy Station

20.8 miles away

Elkton

21.7 miles away

New Market

22.7 miles away

Mount Jackson

24.1 miles away

Edinburg

24.2 miles away

Remington

24.8 miles away

Opal

25.2 miles away

Woodstock

25.5 miles away

Front Royal

25.5 miles away

Warrenton

27.4 miles away

Toms Brook

28.2 miles away

Conicville

29.4 miles away

Mount Olive

30.6 miles away

Shenandoah Farms

30.9 miles away

Middletown

32.3 miles away

Rectortown

33.2 miles away

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FAQ about Hughes River fishing

📍 Where is the Hughes River located?
the Hughes River is a stream located in Madison County, Virginia, United States. It is also intersecting with Culpeper County, Virginia. Its coordinates are:
38°33′42.2″N 78°15′54.7″W
.
🎣 Where on the Hughes River is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Hughes 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 Hughes River?
The most common species in the Hughes River are:
  • Brook trout - 5 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Rock bass - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Rainbow trout - 4 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Hughes River fishing reports?
The latest Hughes River fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Hughes River right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Hughes River, 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 Hughes 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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