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Dead Run

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Virginia, United States

5.0·6 catches

Top fish species at Dead Run

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Dead Run fishing reports

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Creek chub

6 in · 2 oz

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Green sunfish

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Creek chub

length · weight

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Creek chub

length · weight

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Flathead catfish

length · weight

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General info

Dead Run is a stream located in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. It is most popular for fishing Creek chub, Flathead catfish, and Green sunfish.

Location

38°56′56.5″N 77°10′53.6″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Dead 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.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Flathead catfish

Flathead 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 Invasive

Invasive species may outcompete native species and directly harm native species and ecosystems. Unauthorized introduction (i.e., stocking) of fish or wildlife, including game, bait, and aquarium species, into new waters is illegal because it can harm the environment and destroy public fisheries. 

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:South Holston Reservoir: 20 catfish per day, only 1 catfish per day longer than 34-inches total lengthAll rivers below the fall line: 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
Pylodictis olivaris
Season open: year-round
Green sunfish

Green sunfish

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.

Aggregate limit50

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. The sunfish aggregate limit excludes Crappie, Rock Bass (redeye), and Roanoke Bass.No daily bag limit in the following waters: Lake Gaston and Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Difficult Creek, Char- lotte County; and the Dan River and its tributaries to the Banister River, Halifax County; and that portion of the New River from the VA–NC state line downstream to the confluence of the New and Little rivers in Grayson County.For more information, see Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Synonyms
Banded Sunfish, Bluegill, Bluespotted Sunfish, Dollar Sunfish, Flier, Green Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, Mud Sunfish, Orangespotted Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Redspotted Sunfish, Rock Bass, Shadow Bass, Warmouth
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Local laws and licenses

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Reviews of Dead Run

5.0
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1 ratings

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Cities nearby

McLean

0.8 miles away

Cabin John

2.0 miles away

Glen Echo

2.5 miles away

Brookmont

2.8 miles away

Tysons

3.1 miles away

Bethesda

4.3 miles away

Idylwood

4.3 miles away

Falls Church

4.5 miles away

Potomac

4.5 miles away

Somerset

4.7 miles away

Vienna

5.4 miles away

Wolf Trap

5.6 miles away

Chevy Chase Village

5.7 miles away

West Falls Church

5.8 miles away

Merrifield

6.2 miles away

Martin's Additions

6.4 miles away

Arlington

6.5 miles away

Chevy Chase

6.6 miles away

Bailey's Crossroads

7.5 miles away

Oakton

7.7 miles away

Great Falls

7.7 miles away

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FAQ about Dead Run fishing

📍 Where is the Dead Run located?
the Dead Run is a stream located in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Its coordinates are:
38°56′56.5″N 77°10′53.6″W
.
🎣 Where on the Dead Run is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Dead 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 Dead Run?
The most common species in the Dead Run are:
📢 What are the latest Dead Run fishing reports?
The latest Dead Run fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Dead Run right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Dead Run, 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 Dead 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.

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