Fishing near me in Richmond : 10 spots within 50 miles
There are 10 mapped fishing venues within 50 miles of Richmond, and the closest, James River, is about 1.1 miles from the city center. Below they're ranked by distance, with Virginia license info, the species you can expect, and answers to the questions Richmond anglers ask most.
Top Fishing Spots Near Richmond
Every mapped venue within 50 miles of Richmond, nearest first. Click any spot for full venue details, directions, and species.
Closest first
- 1
James River
1.1 mi awayRichmond city
- 2
Fishing Spot
6.3 mi awayRichmond city
- 3
Echo Lake Park Fishing Spot
11 mi awayHenrico County
- 4
Mount Bernard Lake
25 mi awayGoochland County
- 5
Deer Lick Creek
25 mi awayGoochland County
- 6
Fishing Dock
25 mi awayGoochland County
- 7
Lake Dillon
25 mi awayGoochland County
- 8
Codham Bay Pier
47 mi awaySurry County
- 9
Spillway
48 mi awayNottoway County
- 10
Cypress Shores Lake
50 mi awayGloucester County
Want more options? Browse all Virginia fishing venues or the Virginia fishing near me guide.
Do You Need a Fishing License in Virginia?
The short answer for Richmond anglers, plus where to find the current Virginia prices, exemptions, and free fishing days.
License Info
In most cases, yes: a Virginia license before you cast
Fishing licenses in Virginia are issued by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Anglers above the state minimum age need a valid license to fish public water around Richmond. Age thresholds, resident and non-resident fees, short-term options, and exemptions all vary by state and change each season, so check the current rules on the DWR site before you buy.
The linked guide is updated for 2026 with current resident, non-resident, and short-term fees, where to buy online and in person, and this year's free fishing days.
What Can You Catch Near Richmond?
We're still building species records for the venues around Richmond. Log your catches on GilledIt to help map what's biting where.
What's Biting
Open GilledIt to see real-time catch reports around Richmond, and log your own to help map what's biting.
Keep Exploring Virginia Fishing
More Resources
Fishing Near Me in Richmond: FAQ
There are 10 mapped fishing venues within 50 miles of Richmond, and the closest is James River, about 1.1 miles from the city center. The list above ranks them by distance: city-park ponds, reservoirs, and public-access water. Open GilledIt to see live catch reports near your exact location.
Often, yes. Many city-park ponds and public reservoirs around Richmond are free to access once you hold a valid Virginia fishing license, and many states also run free fishing days each year when no license is needed. Dates and rules change, so confirm on the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) website or in our Virginia license guide.
In most cases, yes: anglers above the state's minimum age need a valid Virginia fishing license to fish public water around Richmond. Licenses are issued by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Age cut-offs, fees, and exemptions vary by state and change each season, so check the DWR site or our Virginia fishing license guide for current prices, where to buy, and free fishing days before you go.
Our species records for the venues around Richmond are still growing, so we don't yet list confirmed species here. Check each venue's page, open GilledIt for real-time catch reports around Richmond, and log your own to help map what's biting.
For most waters around Richmond, spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the most productive windows: fish feed hard around the spawn and again before winter. Early morning and the last hour of light are the best daily bites in summer. Check the GilledIt community feed for what's working near Richmond this week.
Start logging catches around Richmond
GilledIt is the social fishing app for American anglers. Log catches with photos, auto-tagged weather, pressure and moon data. Free on iOS and Android.