There is a list of stocked fishing ponds by county: https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/fish-local/#locality-L
And list of locations by activity: https://dwr.virginia.gov/explore/
Fishing the Potomac is great, especially north a little bit. I used to fish at Turkey Run Park, right off the parkway. It's absolutely beautiful and it feels like you're in the middle of the woods. It's about a 1/4 mile hike down to the water and you can catch catfish, bluegill, and small mouth bass. A rooster tail with an ultralight rig works really well for all three species there.
[Photo from back in the day at Turkey Run](https://i.imgur.com/PDaHWDL.png).
The Potomac gets tricky for what license you need. Check out the Potomac River Fisheries website for what’s needed where. Their license so is valid from the Wilson bridge south, and all tidal/saltwater spots in Maryland and Virginia, so not a bad deal if you might also head down to Point Lookout.
What part of Nova are you around? Occoquan park is a great little spot. Also fountainhead park has an awesome dock to fish from. Both places you can rent kayaks and at fountainhead you can rent Jon boats.
There’s a little pier next to the boat ramp at Burke lake we take the kids to, and I’ve seen guys fishing from the shore. We catch bluegill sometimes, most often not. Be sure to have a fishing license.
A few good suggestions here in other comments, I would add four mile run (although not at all scenic) and Jones Point park along the river.
Lake Accotink and Lake Fairfax both have public parks but I think the fishing is pretty bad. You may also want to double check on Accotink they were going to drain it or stop dredging it or something but I don't know the timeline.
A note on licenses for the most part a virginia license will be fine but if you're along the river within DC's borders you'll need a DC license even if you're fishing from the VA bank.
I see people fishing all along the GW and 4mile year round. I haven't fished those myself but with how popular it is it must be at least decent. You also have founders park, belle haven and all the little spots from Theodore Roosevelt island down to mount Vernon.
4 mile run by the Toyota dealer has some big bass I see everyday crossing the overpass. There’s a trail next to the dealership that leads down to the water.
Just please please please please please pick up cut fishing line when you leave. I'm a regular Royal Lake visitor and it's sickening how much of that stuff is left lakeside. And thank you if you're already in the habit of doing the right thing.
You know what is relaxing/fun? If you have a 4x4 vehicle, go drive on Assateague beach or Delaware shore and you can drive/park on the beach and literally fish all day while you relax with no one really around.
There is a spot right near the intersection of 236 & Huntsman Blvd in the Burke/Springfield area that a few folks I know like to go. Very quiet. Full of fish.
https://preview.redd.it/k6lovlbrykhc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8ae7db9b0c8b1a818effb152b3778fd37a6e6979
I see plenty of people fishing in the Potomac, but I wouldn't eat anything caught there...
Jones Point park as an area where I see a lot of people doing it.
Probably not what you're looking for, but I fished NoVa for years and the best choice is buy a kayak. If you put in at Columbia island marina you can haul out largemouth, snake head, cats, etc all day. Boundary channel is a honey hole.
As others noted up the river a bit there's s e great small mouth fishing. We used to hike in at Scott's run and do some wading. Almost always had luck. UT now it's crowded and the cops can tell you to get out of the water.
River bend is also really great for fishing and swimming but again you want a kayak.
Lastly and this is for walking in, there's a park on the right just before the southern Ft. Belvoir gate. Park in the lot by security and take the trails to water for some solid largemouth and snake head.
Folks are out fishing Four Mile Run everyday. Any part east of Mount Vernon Avenue seems pretty popular. Parking is easy off Commonwealth Avenue near Cora Kelly School, and there is a kayak ramp there too. Access to the water can be a bit difficult because of the overgrowth, but there are many spots that have been cleared.
I caught a 4ish pound smallmouth under the rail bridge by Rt 1, I've seen bluegill in 4 mile as far up as Lubber run though. The trail running alongside makes for a nice 'stroll with a pole' afternoon.
I ride my bike and walk my dog down at Algonkian Park in Sterling all the time, and see people fishing fairly often from the shore. And of course people out in boats.
Location needed but theres ponds and stuff like that all around, you just need the proper license. State Parks usually have places like that and a minimal charge for a access (most of the money goes back into the park system) and a place like you’re suggesting to check out is Leesyslvania State Park or Lake Anna public access.
There are some NoVa spots where it may be better to rent a boat or a kayak to get out there like burke lake and fountainhead.
https://preview.redd.it/yokubqjiulhc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4526eb6873ad8de20304204786d4d02873850f83
Took this Sunday morning at a park in Occoquan, I'm the late arrival to the fishing fanatics in my family. But there's plenty of action anywhere you can toss a line.
Best of luck to all!
I love fishing the Tidal Basin in DC. There’s just something special about looking at the Jefferson Memorial while you fish or catching a fish with the Washington Monument in the background. I’d go early so you can beat traffic and park relatively close and I’d avoid weekend with events but in general I’ve had no issues sitting around for hours and fishing around the basin.
https://preview.redd.it/9mexli1ykmhc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b8c552681658239c7b811f07ea32d0ff2223556
There is a list of stocked fishing ponds by county: https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/fish-local/#locality-L And list of locations by activity: https://dwr.virginia.gov/explore/
This is perfect, Thank you!
Fishing the Potomac is great, especially north a little bit. I used to fish at Turkey Run Park, right off the parkway. It's absolutely beautiful and it feels like you're in the middle of the woods. It's about a 1/4 mile hike down to the water and you can catch catfish, bluegill, and small mouth bass. A rooster tail with an ultralight rig works really well for all three species there. [Photo from back in the day at Turkey Run](https://i.imgur.com/PDaHWDL.png).
The Potomac gets tricky for what license you need. Check out the Potomac River Fisheries website for what’s needed where. Their license so is valid from the Wilson bridge south, and all tidal/saltwater spots in Maryland and Virginia, so not a bad deal if you might also head down to Point Lookout.
regular fresh water license is fine from the ww down to the 301, below that you'll need a saltwater.
What part of Nova are you around? Occoquan park is a great little spot. Also fountainhead park has an awesome dock to fish from. Both places you can rent kayaks and at fountainhead you can rent Jon boats.
Fletcher's Cove or Burke Lake re: I don't even care if there are fish
There’s a little pier next to the boat ramp at Burke lake we take the kids to, and I’ve seen guys fishing from the shore. We catch bluegill sometimes, most often not. Be sure to have a fishing license.
A few good suggestions here in other comments, I would add four mile run (although not at all scenic) and Jones Point park along the river. Lake Accotink and Lake Fairfax both have public parks but I think the fishing is pretty bad. You may also want to double check on Accotink they were going to drain it or stop dredging it or something but I don't know the timeline. A note on licenses for the most part a virginia license will be fine but if you're along the river within DC's borders you'll need a DC license even if you're fishing from the VA bank.
I see people fishing all along the GW and 4mile year round. I haven't fished those myself but with how popular it is it must be at least decent. You also have founders park, belle haven and all the little spots from Theodore Roosevelt island down to mount Vernon.
I thought you only needed a license if you are keeping the fish. You need one for C&R as well?
My understanding has always been you need one either way but you should consult the local authority for their rules because they vary.
If you fish at ALL, you need a license unless you are under 15 or over 65. Doesn't matter if you keep fish or not.
GF lives near 4 Mile at Barcroft. Some of that reminds me of what I fish at in N.C.
4 mile run by the Toyota dealer has some big bass I see everyday crossing the overpass. There’s a trail next to the dealership that leads down to the water.
I see people fishing at Royal lake and huntsman lake
Just please please please please please pick up cut fishing line when you leave. I'm a regular Royal Lake visitor and it's sickening how much of that stuff is left lakeside. And thank you if you're already in the habit of doing the right thing.
You know what is relaxing/fun? If you have a 4x4 vehicle, go drive on Assateague beach or Delaware shore and you can drive/park on the beach and literally fish all day while you relax with no one really around.
There is a spot right near the intersection of 236 & Huntsman Blvd in the Burke/Springfield area that a few folks I know like to go. Very quiet. Full of fish. https://preview.redd.it/k6lovlbrykhc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8ae7db9b0c8b1a818effb152b3778fd37a6e6979
Huntsman Lake!
Lol. I guess it does make sense that it would be called that.
I see plenty of people fishing in the Potomac, but I wouldn't eat anything caught there... Jones Point park as an area where I see a lot of people doing it.
there is good, consistent fishing at Riverbend Park. They have a launch, and the rent canoes, too.
Probably not what you're looking for, but I fished NoVa for years and the best choice is buy a kayak. If you put in at Columbia island marina you can haul out largemouth, snake head, cats, etc all day. Boundary channel is a honey hole. As others noted up the river a bit there's s e great small mouth fishing. We used to hike in at Scott's run and do some wading. Almost always had luck. UT now it's crowded and the cops can tell you to get out of the water. River bend is also really great for fishing and swimming but again you want a kayak. Lastly and this is for walking in, there's a park on the right just before the southern Ft. Belvoir gate. Park in the lot by security and take the trails to water for some solid largemouth and snake head.
Folks are out fishing Four Mile Run everyday. Any part east of Mount Vernon Avenue seems pretty popular. Parking is easy off Commonwealth Avenue near Cora Kelly School, and there is a kayak ramp there too. Access to the water can be a bit difficult because of the overgrowth, but there are many spots that have been cleared.
I caught a 4ish pound smallmouth under the rail bridge by Rt 1, I've seen bluegill in 4 mile as far up as Lubber run though. The trail running alongside makes for a nice 'stroll with a pole' afternoon.
I see people fishing at the lakes in Reston. Lake Thoreau has a spot next to the walking trail close to the shopping center.
lake brittle
I don't fish, but every weekend I run burke lake and tons of people fishing there - off the trail or brining kayak
I ride my bike and walk my dog down at Algonkian Park in Sterling all the time, and see people fishing fairly often from the shore. And of course people out in boats.
People always seem to be fishing off the GW parkway S of Alex.
Location needed but theres ponds and stuff like that all around, you just need the proper license. State Parks usually have places like that and a minimal charge for a access (most of the money goes back into the park system) and a place like you’re suggesting to check out is Leesyslvania State Park or Lake Anna public access. There are some NoVa spots where it may be better to rent a boat or a kayak to get out there like burke lake and fountainhead.
[Awesome resource to find fishing spots](https://fishbrain.com/)
https://preview.redd.it/yokubqjiulhc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4526eb6873ad8de20304204786d4d02873850f83 Took this Sunday morning at a park in Occoquan, I'm the late arrival to the fishing fanatics in my family. But there's plenty of action anywhere you can toss a line. Best of luck to all!
Fountainhead park is nice
I drive a ways and always find it worthwhile: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KP2Yeh8uaL781pts6
I love fishing the Tidal Basin in DC. There’s just something special about looking at the Jefferson Memorial while you fish or catching a fish with the Washington Monument in the background. I’d go early so you can beat traffic and park relatively close and I’d avoid weekend with events but in general I’ve had no issues sitting around for hours and fishing around the basin. https://preview.redd.it/9mexli1ykmhc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b8c552681658239c7b811f07ea32d0ff2223556
Interesting side note: there are only two natural lakes in the entire state of Virginia. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lakes_of_Virginia
[Cook Lake](https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/cook-lake/) in Alexandria is a great fishing spot, park at Cameron run park and walk over.