Anyone know of any ponds that are decent to fish in the richmond area?  I normally kayak fish but i am in classes and don't have the time to go out for more than about an hour or two at the most so the kayak isn't going to be used that much this summer.

 

I fish lake rooty in the west end but i think there was a fish kill there last year because it hasn't been the same as it was a few years ago.  I also fish some of the smaller "rivers" but really looking for some decent ponds that i can fish without getting kicked out and maybe even catch a few

 

Thanks in advance....

I'm on the lookout for the same thing. I work in the West End and have been to Rooty a few times and got nothing. Only thing I saw were a couple carp near the shore.

 

I've also tried the two little ponds at Deep Run Park. They are really small and I didnt get any bites. I dead see a dead bream at the dock though, so I guess something is (was) alive in there.

 

Every other body of water I can find on a map out here is surrounded by houses/apartments. 

 

What are these small "rivers" you have fished?

You guys need to get the 2013 Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries publication "2013 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia" which is free and you can find it a Pecker's, Green Top and Bass Pro Shop plus Tackle Express on Midlothian.

 

Go to the page that lists the places to fish in Central Virginia and note all of the ponds in Henrico County and other places. Also note the places in Chesterfield County like Pocahontas State Park where you can rent a canoe or fish from the bank.

 

Hit the pond on Route 1 just south of Hanover where the soccer fields are located.

 

Go to Green Top and ask the guys in the fishing department if the old ponds off Route 58 west of Ashland are still open to the public and are they any good or have they been fished out? You will have to pay at the owner's front door if they are still allowing fishing.

 

Go behind the Dutch Gap area off Route 10 where Henricus is located and walk to the Barge Pit and try your luck.

 

The Historic James River by Maymount Park and walk to the river by the old pump house.

 

Shields and Swan Lakes in Maymount Park are not that good but you can always try your luck. Go for catfish!

 

There are other places to fish the Historic James River from the bank such as under the Nickel Bridge but watch out for snakes.

 

Do not fish off anyone's property of where it is posted. Henrico and Hanover cops love to catch guys doing this.

 

Nothing in the City of Richmond unless you want to cross the bridge and leave the Dark Side.

 

I will email Woody who fishes off the Historic James River bank and ask him to look up the post and tell you where he fishes in the area. He is now in Louisiana but he plans to move back to Virginia in May.

 

Have fun and please be sure to have a valid fishing license.

Hey guys!

 

For the James river.  I like 42nd, and Texas beach and pony pasture areas.  If you are kayaking, pony pasture below the last rocks is very good.  I don't have a kayak or fish with from one.  But, good success there on the river from the bank of wading.  Also, if you have time go 288 to Chesterfield and put in over behind James river high school.  Slow water is there as well.  But, the only problem is boaters and jet skiers on the weekends, usually starting after noon.  BUT, there are some very nice smallies in there!  Go to my pictures and find the picture of the smallmouth.  He came from that part of the river on a Rage craw!  Also, on the weekends, I would run out 522 to where it crosses the James.  There is a boat-ish landing there and less party boat traffic.  

     Four inch black and blue laminate weightless senko, or Junebug in the summer.  Let me know if you have anymore questions.  

Thank you both for the responses. 

 

WdyCrankbait, are you referring to Robious Landing Park behind James River High School? I had wanted to check that part of the river out but I heard the fishing wasnt too great. Do you normally go upstream or downstream from there? Is Tuckahoe Creek downstream worth checking out or is it too small to navigate?

 

Sam, I cant seem to find the pond on Route 1 south of Hanover you are referring to. Any other landmarks around to help me locate it on a map?

Kobalt, the pond on Route 1 just south of Hanover Courthouse is in the county soccer field complex. Small pond but it has been fun in the past to fish. For all I know the county drained the pond so try to find it on a map just south of Hanover Courthouse on Route 1 on an Internet map page or Google Earth.  Look for the soccer fields and walking trails. It is located next to a horse ranch.

 

Robious Landing Park is not a good place the fish the upper Historic James River.  If you do launch from there you can go up or down river as you please.

 

Tuckahoe Creek by the dam has lots of small fish and lots of BIG snags. If  you fish this creek be ready to lose some baits.  Tuckahoe has not produced good bass in years. It is a place for the smaller fish to hide.

 

Now with that said you will probably pull out a 10 pounder from that creek!!!

 

Hit the river at Watkins Landing and float down to Bosher's Dam hitting all wood, grass, piers, docks, rip rap, etc. as you float down the river.

 

If you are fishing on foot, hit the rocks west of the Pony Pasture.  Park in the Pony Pasture parking lot and walk to the area around the first island and just walk into the water and head for the rocks.

 

Please do not do this alone. The Historic James in this area is very unforgiving and if you slip and hit your head we will pick up your body downtown. And wear a PFD if you go out into this area of the Historic James. 

 

This area with the rocks if fantastic smallmouth fishing.

 

You can also park your car to the east of Huguenot Road bridge on Riverside Drive and try you luck at bank fishing in that area. You will see the places to pull over and park.

 

You can drive to the Stony Point Shopping Center at Huguenot and Forest Hill and fish the pond behind the shopping center.  Big pond. Fish the bank with the trees or just walk around the pond.

 

If you want to take a chance of getting run off you can always hit the Salisbury Country Club ponds on Monday, and only Monday. The pond across the street from the clubhouse by the church has some nice ones in it. You can also park and walk to the ponds at the end of the golf course heading back to Robious Road. Get a map and check them out.  Please do not litter and practice catch and release.

 

Have some fun and PM me with what you do and where you went.

The pond south of Hanover Courthouse is on Courtland Farm Road., Route 830, off the main highway.

 

Check it out on Google Earth.

 

The major highway into Hanover Courthouse seems to be Route 2 so please double check it out.

I have seen that pond by the courthouse many times as i drove on my way to the pamunkey or ap hill ponds.  It does get really low in the summer time but i may have to go check it out.