Wild Trout Program

Wild trout populations require cold, well-oxygenated water, a clean stream bottom, and good fish cover. In Virginia, most trout habitat losses occur through increased stream temperature, siltation, and stream channel alteration.

Water temperature requirements may be the most critical factor facing Virginia's trout populations, and the state's generally warm climate and normally low summer stream flows do not help the situation. Most shaded mountain streams do not exceed 70°F during the summer, which is suitable for trout. Aquatic habitat and suitable water temperature can be maintained even during logging and farming operations when streamside vegetation is left intact. In most cases, maximum stream temperatures in the low 70s are within the tolerable range for trout, but such temperatures improve the habitat for other stream fishes which trout cannot compete against.

Siltation and other more direct forms of habitat alteration, such as channelization, have also cost Virginia many miles of trout water. Silted stream bottoms decrease the stream's insect population, an important source of trout food. Siltation also makes trout reproduction difficult. Trout lay eggs in stream gravel, and clean gravel is necessary to insure movement of oxygenated water over the eggs. As little as a quarter-inch of silt over trout eggs can result in 100 percent mortality.

Alteration of stream channels is also of critical concern, not only due to the increased siltation it causes, but also due to the removal of fish cover and the potential to raise water temperatures. Trout require overhead cover, such as undercut banks, large rocks or submerged logs. When such cover is removed, the trout leave. Lack of suitable cover limits the number of large trout a stream can support.

Virginia lost many good wild trout populations prior to the mid-1970s due to habitat degradation. However, many of the land-use practices that resulted in those losses — widespread stream channelization, poor logging techniques, removal of streamside vegetation, intensive agriculture in riparian areas, etc. — have been improved to the point where, over the past few decades, the physical habitat has been improving. In addition, the Department maintains a current inventory of wild trout streams that provides the data necessary to protect this critical habitat.

The Department's trout stream inventory identifies over 2,350 miles of wild trout streams in Virginia. Biologists are encouraged to find that brook trout, the only trout species native to Virginia, still accounts for 80 percent of the wild trout resource in the state. Rainbow trout, a western introduction, have taken over many of the native brook trout streams in the other southeastern states. As a result, Virginia currently has more native brook trout streams than all other southeastern states combined.

Growth rates of wild trout, particularly brook trout, in Virginia are exceptional when compared with growth rates for similar streams in neighboring states. In most Virginia streams, adult brook trout average 8-10 inches by their third year of age. In respect to the number of streams available and the size of trout present, Virginia probably offers the best native brook trout fishing south of New England.

Unlike warmwater fish, such as bass and bluegill, trout have a very low ability to reproduce. Therefore, in heavily fished areas, it is imperative to protect trout until they are able to spawn at least once. In order to accomplish this objective, a 7-inch minimum size limit has been imposed on all trout creeled in Virginia. Such a limit will allow most wild trout to reach spawning age before they are subject to harvest.

Special Regulation Wild Trout Streams

In the following streams, regulations require the use of single hook, artificial lures, and all trout less than 9 inches in length be returned to the water unharmed. The exceptions are: the Rapidan River and its tributaries; Stewart's Creek; North Fork Moorman River; Dan River; East Fork of Chestnut Creek; Roaring Fork; North Creek, and South Fork Holston River, which require the release of all fish caught, and Whitetop Laurel/Green Cove Creeks, which have a 12-inch minimum size limit.

Buffalo River (Amherst County)

Special regulations apply to that portion of North Fork of Buffalo River and its tributaries within the George Washington National Forest. Access is available by forest trail off Forest Road 51 or from the end of State Route 635. Buffalo River is a moderate to high gradient stream dominated by large boulders and deep pools. The stream contains a good, native brook trout population with numerous fish 8-10 inches in length.

Big and Little Wilson Creeks and Cabin Creek (Grayson County)

The special regulation sections of Big Wilson and Little Wilson Creeks and their tributaries, Quebec Branch, Wilburn Branch and Mill Creek, include all portions of each stream within the boundaries of Grayson Highlands State Park and the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. The special regulation on Cabin Creek includes that portion of the stream within Grayson Highlands State Park and brings all of the streams within the Park under one regulation. These streams provide a good opportunity to fish for both wild rainbow trout and native brook trout. Brook trout are generally restricted to the headwater sections of these streams while rainbows are found throughout. Big Wilson Creek offers some spectacular scenery. Large boulders dominate the stream channel interspersed with deep pools and occasional falls. Access can be gained through Grayson Highlands State Park on Route 806 and 817 off U.S. Route 58. Be prepared to do some hiking to fish this area.

Conway River/Devils Ditch (Greene County)

Special regulations apply to that portion of Conway River and its major tributary, Devils Ditch, within the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area and the Shenandoah National Park. The stream contains brook trout in the upper reaches with wild brown trout scattered through the lower portions. Adult brook trout range from 7-11 inches in length; brown trout occasionally exceed 20 inches. The stream lies north of Stanardsville and can be reached by Route 615 from Graves Mill.

Dan River (Patrick County)

The section of the Dan River in Patrick County from the Pinnacles Powerhouse upstream to Townes Dam is designated as a catch-and-release trout fishery. Wild brown trout are the dominant species in this stretch, although the occasional brook or rainbow trout may be caught. This is a moderate sized river with a steep gradient and many large, deep pools. The numbers of brown trout present are relatively low (a rough guide would be 2-4 fish/pool), but the size of the fish is above average (fish up to 16 inches are not uncommon). This portion of the river can be reached by taking Route 8 south from Stuart to Route 103 west, turn right on Route 648 at Claudeville and proceed to the powerhouse at the end of the road. The upper end of this section can be reached by taking Route 614 south from Meadows of Dan, turning left on Route 602, and proceeding to Townes Dam. A permit from the City of Danville is required to access the special regulation section, and it can be obtained at no charge from the Pinnacles Powerhouse or from the City Utilities Department. Contact: City of Danville, Director of Electric Division, Department of Utilities, P.O. Box 3300, Danville, VA 24543. Phone: (434) 799-5270.

East Fork of Chestnut Creek (Grayson and Carroll Counties)

The East Fork of Chestnut Creek, locally known as Farmer's Creek, is designated a catch-and-release trout fishery. The special regulation section includes all portions of the creek upstream of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The lower mile of the special regulation area is a low gradient, native brook trout stream with numerous deep pools and undercut banks. The stream decreases in size and increases in gradient upstream, and it is characterized by numerous small plunge pools and a dense rhododendron canopy. Adult brook trout average 8-13 inches in length with occasional larger fish in the lower reaches. The stream lies south of Galax, crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway a short distance east of Route 89.

Little Stony Creek (Giles County)

Special regulations apply to that portion of Little Stony Creek in the Jefferson National Forest. Most of the special section is below the Cascades waterfall. The upper reaches of Little Stony Creek contain native brook trout, but rainbow trout comprise most of the trout population below the Cascades. Adult rainbows average 7-12 inches in length. The area is heavily used by hikers and picnickers. The stream is located near Pembroke and can be reached by Route 623.

Little Stony Creek (Shenandoah County)

Little Stony Creek is a small mountain brook trout stream. The special regulations apply to that portion of stream located within the George Washington National Forest, including Woodstock Reservoir. Adult brook trout presently average 7-10 inches in length. The stream is located west of Woodstock and the Forest Service Road 92 crosses the lower portion of the special regulation section. Much of the upper reaches can only be reached by foot trail.

North Creek (Botetourt County)

The upper section of the stream (upstream of the North Creek campground) was designated a catch-and-release trout stream in 1999. Rainbow trout predominate, although brook trout are present as well. Adult trout will range from 7-12 inches. The stream is located east of Buchanan, a short distance from I-81. The Jefferson National Forest maintains a campground adjacent to the stream and vehicular access is available along most of its length.

North Fork Moormans River (Albemarle County)

That portion of the Moormans River lying within the Shenandoah National Park is designated as catch-and-release. This stream historically contained an excellent population of brook trout throughout with a small population of brown trout in the lower reaches. However, the 1995 flood significantly altered habitat along the lower section of river. Brook trout have been slow to recover in this section and brown trout seem to have been eliminated. The brook trout population remains strong in the upper section of stream and anglers are encouraged to hike upstream to fish. Access to the Moormans River is available over Rt. 614 past Sugar Hollow Reservoir.

Ramsey's Draft (Augusta County)

Ramsey's Draft and its tributaries within the George Washington National Forest provide over 10 miles of native brook trout water. Most of this section of the stream is located within the Ramsey's Draft Wilderness Area, providing the angler with the opportunity to fish for quality native trout in a remote setting. Summer flows are usually quite low in this stream, so plan to fish Ramsey's Draft during the springtime. To reach Ramsey's Draft, drive 15 miles west of Churchville on Route 250 and look for the Mountain Home Picnic Area on the right. Afoot trail parallels the stream from the picnic area.

Rapidan River (Madison County)

The Rapidan River is Virginia's best known trout stream. Not only was it the state's first special regulation stream, it was also the site of the Presidential Retreat established by President Hoover. Much of the original Camp Hoover is still intact and is occasionally used. The special regulation area of the Rapidan includes all the stream and its tributaries within the Shenandoah National Park and the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area. The stream contains an excellent native brook trout population with good numbers of 10-11 inch adults. Access to the Rapidan is available over Route 662 from Graves Mill and over Route 649 from Criglersville.

Roaring Fork (Tazewell County)

This special regulation area is located within the boundaries of the Beartown Wilderness Area of the Jefferson National Forest. Acidification of this stream, resulting in a steadily declining brook trout population, prompted the inclusion of this stream section into Virginia's catch-and-release trout regulations. Access to the special regulated section is difficult and some hiking will be required. Access can be gained from Forest Service Road 222 off Route 16, south of Tazewell.

St. Mary's River (Augusta County)

The special regulation section includes all portions of the St. Mary's River above the gate at the National Forest boundary. It is a fairly high gradient stream with a number of waterfalls. Although water levels can get quite low along lower reaches, flows are much improved upstream and large, deep pools provide ample trout cover. Adult brook trout average 8-12 inches in length. Historically, the St. Mary's was well-known for its wild rainbow trout fishery, but stream acidification completely eliminated the wild rainbow trout fishery and seriously impacted native brook trout reproduction. In the spring of 1999, the U.S. Forest Service, in cooperation with the Department and other private organizations, limed the St. Mary's River to improve water quality. This effort proved to be very successful at restoring the native brook trout population as well as populations of non-game fish species and invertebrates. However, the positive impacts of this liming began diminishing by 2004 and, as a result, a second liming was completed in the fall of 2005. It is estmated that this second liming will adequately buffer the St. Mary's River for an additional eight years. The stream lies east of Raphine off Route 608, a short distance from I-81. Most of the area is accessible by foot trail only and backpacking is popular.

South Fork Holston River (Smyth County)

This section of the South Fork Holston River lies within the boundaries of VDGIF's Buller Fish Hatchery. From the concrete dam downstream to the lower boundary of the hatchery property, only artificial lures with single hooks may be used and all trout caught must be released. This special regulation section of stream provides an excellent opportunity to catch trout of trophy size. Access can be gained through the Buller Fish Hatchery property off Route 650, south of Marion.

Stewart's Creek (Carroll County)

Stewart's Creek is a high-gradient, native brook trout stream with numerous plunge pools, rock ledges and a dense rhododendron canopy for cover. Approximately 4.5 miles of Stewart's Creek and its two major tributaries, North Fork and South Fork Stewart's Creek, are open to the public for year-round fishing as part of the Stewarts Creek Wildlife Management Area. Stewart's Creek WMA is southeast of Galax on the east side of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take Exit 1 off I-77. Follow the trailblazer signs to the area.

Whitetop Laurel/Green Cove Creeks (Washington County)

The special regulation area includes two sections. Prior to 1999, the lower mile of Green Cove Creek plus Whitetop Laurel Creek (to the first bridge above the village of Taylors Valley) made up the special regulation area. In 1999, an additional section (that extends from the Forest Service boundary below Taylors Valley, 2 miles downstream to the mouth of Straight Creek) was added. There remains a section of catchable, trout stocked water without special regulations through the village of Taylors Valley. Whitetop Laurel is one of Virginia's largest and most beautiful wild trout streams. Wild rainbow trout dominate, with most adults in the 7-14 inch class. A few wild brown trout provide occasional trophy fish. The special regulation area is located east of Damascus (near the Tennessee line) and lies within the Mount Rogers Recreation Area. Minimum size limit in this section is 12 inches.

Shenandoah National Park (SNP)

The Park provides an entire region of special regulation trout streams, extending from Front Royal to Waynesboro. Most streams within the Park are open to fishing but only a portion of these allow anglers to creel trout and can change annually. All fishing in the park is restricted to the use of single hook artificial lures. In streams allowing harvest, the creel limit for trout is six per day. All brook trout must be at least 9 inches in length while the minimum size for rainbow and brown trout is now 7 inches. The release of any brown trout back into any Park stream is prohibited and brown trout less than 7 inches must be disposed of within the Park but away from Park streams, roads and trails. This is an effort to limit the impacts of brown trout on the native brook trout populations. Most streams within the park contain good populations of native brook trout, while brown trout are generally found in a few of the larger east slope streams. Contact the Shenandoah National Park at (540) 999- 3500 for the annual list of streams open to harvest.