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Delayed Harvest Waters

From October 1 through May 31 fishing on the following waters is permitted under specific regulations only:

  1. Only artificial lures may be used.
  2. No trout may be in possession (catch and release only) while fishing these waters.
  3. No bait may be in possession while fishing these waters.
  4. Trout license required October 1–June 15.

Note: During the period of June 1 through September 30 restrictions 1 through 3 above will not apply and these waters are like any other designated stocked trout water.

Accotink Creek (Fairfax County):

That portion of stream from King Arthur Road downstream 3.1 miles to Route 620 (Braddock Road). Primary access is via the FCPA Wakefield Park facility off Braddock Road.

Back Creek (Bath County):

That portion of stream from the Rt. 600 Bridge just below the Virginia Power Back Creek Dam downstream 1.5 miles to the Rt. 600 Bridge at the lower boundary of the Virginia Power Recreational Area. Take Route 39 west from Warm Springs to Mountain Grove, then right on Route 600 for 6 miles.

Big Moccasin Creek (Scott County):

That portion of the stream from the VDOT foot bridge at the lower end of Gate City downstream to the Wadlow Gap Highway Bridge (Highway 58/421).

Chestnut Creek (Carroll County):

That portion of stream from the U.S. Rt. 58 Bridge downstream 11.4 miles to the confluence with the New River. The stream parallels the New River Trail State Park, and parking is available at state road crossings and at the trailhead in Galax. In addition to the state park, many private landowners have made this program possible and anglers should be sure to respect adjoining private property.

Hardy Creek (Lee County):

That portion of stream from the VDOT swinging bridge just upstream of the Route 658 ford downstream to the Route 661 bridge. Holliday Creek (Appomattox/ Buckingham Counties): That portion of stream from the Rt. 640 crossing downstream 2.8 miles to a sign at the headwaters of Holliday Lake. This section is located completely within the Appomattox/Buckingham State Forest that can be accessed by taking Route 24 north out of Appomattox to Route 626. Anglers should turn onto Routes 640 or 614 to access a series of foot trails to the stream that have been developed by the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). A State Forest Use Permit is required by the VDOF for anyone 16 years and older who fishes in one of Virginia’s 19 State Forests; the Use Permit is available at authorized retailers who sell fishing licenses, or online.

Holmes Run (Fairfax County):

That portion of stream from the Lake Barcroft Dam downstream 1.2 miles to a sign posted at the Alexandria City line. A fairly good trail follows (and sometimes crosses) the stream from the parking lot off Columbia Pike (Route 244).

Indian Creek (Lee County):

That portion of stream within the boundaries of Wilderness Road State Park. The stream can be accessed from Route 58.

Middle Fork of Powell River (Wise County):

That portion of stream from the trestle bridge just downstream of the Town of Appalachia to the trestle bridge just upstream of the Town of Big Stone Gap. This stream reach parallels Business Route 23.

North Fork of Pound and Pound Rivers (Wise County):

That portion of the streams from the base of North Fork of Pound Dam downstream to the confluence with Indian Creek. Access is available at the North Fork of Pound Dam and at parking lots within the town of Pound.

North River (Augusta County):

That portion of stream from the base of Elkhorn Dam downstream 1.5 miles to a sign posted at the head of Staunton City Reservoir. This is a remote section of stream that can only be reached by foot trail. Access is available by parking at Elkhorn Lake and following the trail along the lake to the spillway.

Passage Creek (Warren County):

That portion of stream from the Shenandoah/ Warren County line downstream approximately 1 mile through the Department’s Front Royal Fish Hatchery. This section is immediately downstream of the area that has historically been stocked under the put-and-take program. Parking is available on Forest Service lands adjacent to Route 678 or on Department lands adjacent to Route 619.

Pedlar River (Amherst County):

That portion of stream from the City of Lynchburg/ George Washington National Forest boundary line (below Lynchburg Reservoir) downstream 2.7 miles to the boundary line of the George Washington National Forest (southeast of Buena Vista). The U.S. Forest Service and the Department have cooperated in the development of three access sites to the river located along FS 39 off Route 607.

Piney River (Nelson/Amherst Counties):

That portion of stream from the Piney River Trailhead of the Virginia Blue Ridge Trail (downstream from Route 151) downstream to the Route 674 crossing at Roses Mill Road.

Roanoke River (Roanoke County and City of Salem):

There are two delayed harvest sections located on the Roanoke River near Roanoke. The first section is located within Green Hill Park in Roanoke County and was established in 2001. The newest section is located within the City of Salem and was established in 2003. The Green Hill Park section is easily found off Route 11/460 west of Salem and stretches from the Route 760 Bridge (Diguids Lane) upstream 1 mile to a sign posted at the upper end of the park. It is best to access the stream from the park side of the stream, and anglers are encouraged to use the parking areas provided. The Salem section is located along Riverside Drive and stretches from the Colorado Street Bridge downstream approximately 2 miles to the Route 419 Bridge. This section is most easily accessed from the Riverside Drive side of the river.