Special Regulations

Fee Fishing Areas

The fee fishing areas offer put-and-take trout fishing with the added advantage that trout are stocked several times weekly throughout the season. The fee fishing program operates from the first Saturday in April through September at Clinch Mountain and Crooked Creek and from the first Saturday in April through June 15 and from September 15 through October 31 at Douthat. For those anglers who miss the opening day of trout season, the fee fishing areas still provide this opportunity on the first Saturday in April when they open at 9:00 a.m. During the fee fishing season, a daily permit ($6.50) is required in addition to a valid Virginia freshwater fishing license. After the fee fishing season, these areas revert to designated stocked trout waters and a trout license is required instead of the daily permit. The creel limit at these areas is six fish per day.

Clinch Mountain Fee Fishing Area

The Clinch Mountain Fee Fishing Area is located in southwest Virginia, about 7 miles west of Saltville. The area consists of approximately 7 miles of Big Tumbling Creek and its two major tributaries, Briar Cove Creek and Laurel Bed Creek. Big Tumbling Creek is a large, steep gradient stream with numerous small waterfalls and large, deep rocky pools. The two tributaries are much smaller with a more moderate gradient. Laurel Bed Lake is no longer part of the fee fishing program and does not require the daily permit. However, the lake continues to be managed for trout as well as for flow augmentation for Big Tumbling Creek. Trout are stocked daily (except Sunday) throughout the fee period in the streams, and fishing begins at 6 a.m. daily, except for opening day. Camping is available at the area and VDGIF owns and manages the surrounding land.

Crooked Creek Fee Fishing Area

Crooked Creek is located in Carroll County, 5 miles east of Galax. The area consists of 5 miles of stocked stream and approximately 2 miles of the additional stream that is managed as a wild trout fishery. Crooked Creek is a wide, fairly low gradient stream with a gravel bottom. The surrounding land is mixed fields and woodlots, not characteristic of the more common mountain stream drainages. Fishing must cease at 7:00 p.m. to allow for restocking. No camping facilities are available at Crooked Creek, but private facilities are available nearby.

Douthat Lake Fee Fishing Area

The Douthat Fee Fishing Area includes about 4 miles of Wilson Creek along with the stocking of 60-acre Douthat Lake. This fee fishing area has two features designed to encourage children to participate. A small "children-only" area has been established on Wilson Creek, just below the dam. In addition, children 12 years of age and under can fish without a permit throughout the fee-fishing area as long as they are accompanied by a permitted adult and their combined creel does not exceed that of the adult. The lake provides fishing for bass, bluegill, crappie, pickerel and catfish, in addition to trout, which are stocked twice weekly. During most summer months, conditions become unfavorable for trout stocking. Therefore, at Douthat, the fee fishing season runs from the first Saturday in April through June 15 and from September 15 through October 31. From June 16 through September 14, no trout will be stocked and no daily fee or trout license is required although trout fishing opportunities will remain for trout still present in the lake from previous stockings. The lake, stream and surrounding land are located within Douthat State Park and are administered by the Virginia Division of Parks and Recreation. Available recreation includes camping, hiking and swimming in addition to fishing. Cabins are also available for rent if application is made well in advance. The park is located in a beautiful mountain setting with most of the surrounding land within the George Washington National Forest.

Delayed Harvest Trout Streams

This program incorporates aspects of both catch-and-release and put-and-take trout fishing. Catchable-sized trout are stocked in the fall, winter and spring. From October 1 through the following May 31, only artificial lures may be used, and all fish must be returned unharmed. From June 1 through September 30 general trout regulations are in effect and trout may be creeled. A trout license is required to fish these waters from October 1 through June 15.

Stream	County	Description
Accotink Creek	Fairfax County	The delayed harvest section of Accotink Creek extends from King Arthur Road downstream 3.1 miles to Route 620 (Braddock Road). This stream section is bound by a Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) floodplain park that belies the stream's urban setting (the upper boundary is adjacent to the Capital Beltway). The stream contains numerous riffle-run-pool sequences with good holding pools, and it has an abundance of large woody debris. Primary access is via the FCPA Wakefield Park facility off BraddockRoad.
Back Creek	Bath County	The rugged mountains that form the backdrop to the Back Creek special regulation area are one of the area's most appealing features. The stream is about 25 feet in width with moderate gradient and excellent flyfishing opportunities. The stream has been extensively reconstructed to improve trout habitat by Dominion Virginia Power, who constructed a pump storage facility just upstream. The land adjacent to this stream section is managed for recreation by Dominion Virginia Power. In addition to trout fishing, the area offers a campground, picnic pavilion, outdoor games and two warmwater lakes for fishing and swimming. Take Route 39 west from Warm Springs to Mountain Grove, then right on Route 600 for 6 miles.
Chestnut Creek	Carroll County	Chestnut Creek was established as a delayed harvest water in 2001. The original special regulation section extended 2.3 miles upstream from its confluence with the New River to Route 793. Changes approved in 2005 extended the special regulation upstream to the Rt. 58 bridge in Galax for a total of 11.4 miles. The stream parallels the New River Trail State Park which offers a unique hiking and biking opportunity to access the many rock ledges and large pools common to this reach of stream. Parking is available at state road crossings and at the trail head 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.
Hardware River	Fluvanna County	Although located in Virginia's piedmont region, the rocky outcrops, cliffs and steep banks of Hardware River resemble a mountain stream. This aesthetically pleasing section of river, located within the Hardware River Wildlife Management Area (WMA), will likely become a favorite destination for trout anglers. The special regulation area covers a 3.0 mile section of the Hardware River from Muleshoe Bend downstream to the confluence with the James River. From the west, the river and the Hardware River WMA is accessed by taking Route 6 east from Scottsville then turning right onto Route 611 to the Kidd's Mill Road parking area. To access the eastern portion of the WMA, continue east on Route 6 and turn right onto Route 646. Detailed maps and information on the Hardware River WMA can be obtained from any of the Department's offices or from the Department's Web site.
Holliday Creek	Appomattox & Buckingham Counties	The Holliday Creek delayed harvest section is located completely within the Appomattox/Buckingham State Forest. The 2.8 mile section stretches from just above Holliday Lake upstream to Route 640. The stream is approximately 15-25 feet in width and runs through a remote, heavily wooded section of 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). Despite the fact that this stream is located in the piedmont of Virginia, anglers will be surprised by the quality of the fishing experience available.
Holmes Run	Fairfax County	Holmes Run, below Lake Barcroft, boasts some amazing habitat for an urban stream. Much of this may be due to the lake's buffering of storm water and silt loads. Consequently, Holmes Run in the 1.2 mile stretch between the Barcroft Dam and the Alexandria line is more characteristic of a less impacted, natural stream. The stream valley is incised, and during months when the forest canopy is intact; urban sounds and sights are nearly eliminated. Anglers will find good fish cover in the form of bedrock, boulders and large woody debris. A fairly good trail follows (and sometimes crosses) the stream from the parking lot off Columbia Pike (Route 244).
North Fork of Pound River and Pound River	Wise County	The delayed harvest section begins at the base of the North Fork of Pound Dam and extends downstream about 2 miles to the confluence of Indian Creek. Above Route 23, the North Fork of the Pound River is a medium-sized stream with shallow runs and riffles flowing through fields and woodlots. Downstream of Route 23 the river passes through the town of Pound, gaining size and flow, and taking on a more urban setting. Access is available at the North Fork of Pound Dam and at parking lots within the town of Pound. This stream provides high catch rates and good fishing opportunities from October through early summer.
North River	Augusta County	The delayed harvest section of the North River extends from the base of Elkhorn Dam downstream 1.5 miles to the head of the 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. This area provides a remote, scenic fishing opportunity during the winter and spring months. Stream flow in the North River is usually low during summer and fall, and the fall trout stocking is often delayed until adequate water flow is available.
Passage Creek	Warren County	The delayed harvest section of Passage Creek extends from the Warren County line downstream approximately 1 mile through the Department's Front Royal Fish Hatchery. This section of stream 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.
Peak Creek	Pulaski County	The Peak Creek delayed harvest section extends from the confluence of Tract Fork downstream 2.7 miles to the State Route 99 Bridge. Approximately 1 mile of this section is in downtown Pulaski. The town is undergoing a revitalization project with recreation along Peak Creek being highlighted. This new stocking program fits right in with official plans, as trout stockings will greatly increase angling potential where little currently exists.
Pedlar River	Amherst County	The Pedlar River delayed harvest section is 2.7 miles in length and is located below the Lynchburg City Reservoir in the George Washington National Forest, southeast of Buena Vista. Anglers should be prepared for a considerable walk to the stream in steep terrain. The stream contains abundant deep pool and run habitat during the winter, spring and early summer months, and it provides great fly fishing opportunities. Water levels during the late summer and fall months can be low due to a lack of water leaving the reservoir. 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.
Roanoke River	Roanoke County & 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. In addition to trout fishing, Green Hill Park offers picnic facilities and other recreational opportunities for family activities. 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 of delayed harvest water is most easily accessed from the Riverside Drive side of the river. Both of these sections are located in an urban setting and provide big stream fishing in a pleasant environment. The stream is approximately 50-75 feet in width and has ample riffle/run habitat for wade fishing, as well as pool habitat for anglers who prefer bank fishing.
South River	Augusta County	The delayed harvest section extends from the Second Street bridge in Waynesboro upstream 2.4 miles to the base of Rife Loth Dam. This stream section runs through the City of Waynesboro and is in an urban setting. South River is a relatively large, wide stream with shallow runs and riffles. The stream provides outstanding flyfishing opportunities because of its size and its abundance of aquatic insects. The stream is open to fishing year-round and provides excellent winter fishing.