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James River Fishing Pier

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Virginia, United States

5.0·638 catches

Top fish species at James River Fishing Pier

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James River Fishing Pier fishing reports

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Gray weakfish

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Southern kingcroaker

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Silver perch

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Spotted seatrout

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Silver perch

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Southern kingcroaker

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General info

James River Fishing Pier is a marina, harbor or pier located in City of Newport News, Virginia, United States. It is most popular for fishing Atlantic croaker, Blue catfish, and Spot croaker.

Location

37°00′36.9″N 76°27′36.8″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at James River Fishing Pier, 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
Atlantic croaker

Atlantic croaker

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit50

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

Snagging

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

Additional information
Possession Limit = 50 fish each species (spot and croaker) additional 50 live bait per customer capacity on for-hire vessels. No minimum size. Citation 3 lbs or 20 inches
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Micropogonias undulatus
Season open: year-round
Blue catfish

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
Spot croaker

Spot croaker

Regulation boundaryVirginia State Waters
Bag limit50

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

Snagging

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

Additional information
Possession Limit = 50 fish each species (spot and croaker) additional 50 live bait per customer capacity on for-hire vessels No minimum size limit Citation 1 lb or 13 inches
Edibility
Good
Synonyms
Leiostomus xanthurus
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Local laws and licenses

Virginia fishing license

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Reviews of James River Fishing Pier

5.0
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4 ratings

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Cities nearby

Carrollton

6.1 miles away

Hampton

6.2 miles away

Newport News

7.3 miles away

Benns Church

8.5 miles away

Poquoson

10.1 miles away

Portsmouth

12.7 miles away

Rushmere

12.9 miles away

Norfolk

13.7 miles away

Yorktown

15.8 miles away

Windsor

20.8 miles away

Scotland

22.0 miles away

Surry

22.4 miles away

Williamsburg

22.5 miles away

Suffolk

23.9 miles away

Chesapeake

24.6 miles away

Ivor

25.2 miles away

Dendron

25.6 miles away

Gloucester Courthouse

27.5 miles away

Carrsville

29.5 miles away

Virginia Beach

29.9 miles away

Claremont

31.7 miles away

Camptown

33.0 miles away

Sedley

33.3 miles away

Waverly

35.1 miles away

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FAQ about James River Fishing Pier fishing

📍 Where is James River Fishing Pier located?
James River Fishing Pier is a marina, harbor or pier located in City of Newport News, Virginia, United States. Its coordinates are:
37°00′36.9″N 76°27′36.8″W
.
🎣 Where on James River Fishing Pier is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on James River Fishing Pier 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 James River Fishing Pier?
The most common species in James River Fishing Pier are:
📢 What are the latest James River Fishing Pier fishing reports?
The latest James River Fishing Pier fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at James River Fishing Pier right now?
According to fishing regulations at James River Fishing Pier, 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 James River Fishing Pier?

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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