I am at Fort Lee for the next 4 1/2 months for training, but I am from Alabama/Mississippi so I don't have a clue where to fish. Any suggestions on some places to try bankfoshing as I don't have a boat with me?

Ger, go to Dance's tackle shop by Southpark Mall, Dick's, Green Top or Bass Pro Shop south of Ashland and pick up a free copy of the 2017 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia booklet.

 

Ask the people at Dance's about local places to fish and the suggestions below. They are very nice people.

 

There is a geographical section on each part of the Commonwealth listing places to fish in the booklet.

 

And Google "Colonial Heights Fishing" to see what comes up.

 

Check with Dance's about fishing the Appomattox River under the I-95 bridge and any private locations in Petersburg. But be careful as Petersburg can be dangerous.

 

There used to be a private pond that charged you to fish. It is around the Southpark Mall. Sorry, but never went there nor do I know if they are still in business. Ask the Dance's people and others to find out if it is open.

 

The Vulcan ponds are an option. Make sure you have permission to fish them.

 

Henricus Park has fishing. Check it out.

 

People fish for catfish at Dutch Gap on the Historic James River.

 

Try Osborne Landing pier on the Historic James River.

 

You can drive to Ed. Allen's on Chickahominy Lake and rent a small skiff or fish off of their long pier.

 

You will need a map of Virginia to find these places.

 

And thank you for your service. Are you a chef???????

 

 

 

 

Sam really sums it up. You have great LM and catfish all around you. Smallmouth is really further west up James River. I second Ed Allens big time, good fishing and you can rent little jon or row boat real cheap. I put our trolling motor on it.

 

If you are here for 4.5 months you will be here for prime striper fishing on James by 95 bridge, you can do this by shore. Also you can wade james river just west of 95 bridge for catfish, they easily get 30+ lbs. 

 

Definitely go to Dance's, they'll hook you up....excuse the pun:)

G,

   What type of gear do you have?  The reason I ask is I lived in Louisiana for 2 years and (to me) fishing in the southern states and Virginia are almost night and day different. 

   Meaning, 10# line up here is the 15# line down there. A fair amount more pressure up here also. But, the good news, when a cold front hits VA it does not shut the fish down. You still can catch bass up here in the cold fronts.