Our official guide to fishing & boating the

James & Appomattox Rivers

in Hopewell & Prince George, Virginia.

Come & enjoy the many public fishing resources our region has to offer!

Fishing & Boating Resources

Kayak Adventures

Our region is very kayak friendly! We have 6 official kayak launches within 12 miles on 2 uniquely different rivers. Access is free or minimal cost and we welcome kayakers of all abilities. Broad water offers excellent fishing opportunities, while the tributary creeks of the river provide a serene and nature-filled paddling experience, teeming with abundant life.

Don’t have a kayak? No Problem!

If you don’t have a kayak or are visiting and don’t have yours with you, we have 2 great kayak rental options.

Jordan Point Marina - $5 Launch

Taylor Kayak

Appomattox River Regional Park - NEW! -Kayak Vending Kiosk

Outfitters

Need Gear? Stop by one of our friendly local tackle shops. Support small business and gain local knowledge.

Fishing The Rivers

The James & Appomattox Rivers in Hopewell and Prince George provide excellent action in tidal waters. Anglers are attracted from all over the world to our area to target the record-setting catfish. Bass fishing is excellent year-round, and other popular species to target are: Crappie (Freckle), Smallmouth, Striper (Rockfish), Shad, Walleye/Saugeye, Catfish (Blue, Channel, Flathead), White Perch, and a variety of small freshwater panfish.

For information on Virginia Fishing regulations, including creel limit and license info, visit: dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/regulations

Share Your Catch

Post your photo on instagram with the hashtag #FishHPG and it will show on this page and you will be automatically entered to win some FishHPG gear!

Access to Area Fisheries

Find a place to fish from the bank, boat ramps, kayak launches, birding & wildlife trails along our tidal river shoreline.

Are we missing a spot? Submit a public location in Hopewell or Prince George

Fishing Reports

James River, Appomattox, Lake Chesdin

Reports provided by Donnie Bell of James River Tackle Co.

sponsored & provided by:

  • February 23 Fishing Report

    James River Tackle Co. owner Donnie Bell notes the tidal James River was receiving very little fishing pressure as very few tournaments were held in January orforthat matter, this month. He said it’s a good time to go get yourself a mailbox-sized bass. The river is stained and water temperature was around 40-43 degrees at the late-January W2 deadline. Bell told W2 that as long as the water stays relatively clear anglers can expect to catch tidal James bass on jerkbaits, pig-n-jig and shaky head. Expect water temperatures to creep into the high 40’s at some point later in the month.

    Bell suggests fishing the barge and gravel I pits, creek mouths and warm water outlets if you visit this month. He says he really doesn’t go past Hopewell from Osborne, and that you can do pretty well around Dutch Gap. Crappie fishing on the tidal James is very good now. You can still catch them in the Barge Pit up near the power plant~ right up on the sunken boats and barges using jigs and minnows. LakeChesdin was a little high but not too cold by mid-January.The water temperature was 43-44 degrees.

    Bass are in the mid and down lake region this month as they follow schools of gizzard shad. A three-inch Keitech swimbait is the bait to use when you find these fish. Try some flutter spooning and blade baits in 18-22′ of water where schools of bass, striper, crappie and perch are feeding on bait and often revealed by sea gulls. Bell notes fishing in the Appomattox switcvh over to lithium River can be pretty good in late February as many bass overwinter in it, off the James River. One of his favorite tactics is pitching a creature bait to wood on deep banks on a warm afternoon. Google Earth the Appomattox all the way up to Colonial Heights and note some good fishing areas to try this month. Check with Bell on launch ramps and current river conditions.

    – source: Woods & Waters mag –

Fisherman Friendly Business in the Area

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Recent Catches in Our Area

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Simply post your catch to Instagram with #FishHPG to for a chance to win a one of a kind FishHPG neck gaiter.

Making a splash with the first ever Hopewell Paddle in Your Park! We had a paddletastic time exploring the beauty of our City Park & river! Cheers to many more adventures to come!

Making a splash with the first ever Hopewell Paddle in Your Park! We had a paddletastic time exploring the beauty of our City Park & river! Cheers to many more adventures to come! ...

Come along we explore the James River National wildlife refuge! 

the refuge was Established in 1991 in an effort to protect our national bird, the bald eagle and hundreds of other species that call the 4800 acres of forest and wetlands home. 

The park is open daily from sun up to sun down. as this is a fragile ecosystem, pets are prohibited on the refuge, and as always, leave no trace when visiting.

Come along we explore the James River National wildlife refuge!

the refuge was Established in 1991 in an effort to protect our national bird, the bald eagle and hundreds of other species that call the 4800 acres of forest and wetlands home.

The park is open daily from sun up to sun down. as this is a fragile ecosystem, pets are prohibited on the refuge, and as always, leave no trace when visiting.
...

Have you explored City Point Park? With sprawling grounds, a variety of established trees, scenic views of where the Appomattox & James River meet, and General Grants Headquarters duding the siege of Petersburg, theres so much to take in!

Have you explored City Point Park? With sprawling grounds, a variety of established trees, scenic views of where the Appomattox & James River meet, and General Grants Headquarters duding the siege of Petersburg, theres so much to take in! ...

Last week we had the absolute pleasure of attending the Virginia is for Lovers Visitor Centers Seminar. During our time in Halifax County, we toured around the race tracks and speedways, as well as we overlooked where the Crossing of the River Dan happened, and toured past some of the buildings Dabney Cosby built in the 1800s. Like Hopewell and Prince George County we share a rich history and continue to adapt as we grow.

Last week we had the absolute pleasure of attending the Virginia is for Lovers Visitor Centers Seminar. During our time in Halifax County, we toured around the race tracks and speedways, as well as we overlooked where the Crossing of the River Dan happened, and toured past some of the buildings Dabney Cosby built in the 1800s. Like Hopewell and Prince George County we share a rich history and continue to adapt as we grow. ...

Take the River less paddled. With miles of waterfront and plenty of places to launch your boat, we’re the perfect destination for your next kayaking adventure. More info on the web. Link in bio.

#kayaking #canoeing #paddleva #rva #richmondva #virginiabeach #charlottesville #fredericksburgva #hopewellva #princegeorge #virginiaisforriverlovers #riverlife #wanderlove #visitvirginia#scenicvirginia #blueridgeoutdoors #virginiamagazine

Take the River less paddled. With miles of waterfront and plenty of places to launch your boat, we’re the perfect destination for your next kayaking adventure. More info on the web. Link in bio.

#kayaking #canoeing #paddleva #rva #richmondva #virginiabeach #charlottesville #fredericksburgva #hopewellva #princegeorge #virginiaisforriverlovers #riverlife #wanderlove #visitvirginia#scenicvirginia #blueridgeoutdoors #virginiamagazine
...

Looking for a hidden gem that’s literally off the beaten path? Check out Appomattox River Regional Park, part of the FOLAR Trail. More info on our website. Link in bio. 

#appomattoxriver #folar #visitvirginia #hopewellva #princegeorgecounty #trail #trailrunning #hiking #virginiaisforoutdoorlovers #wanderlove #5&dime #outdoors #travel #roadtrip

Looking for a hidden gem that’s literally off the beaten path? Check out Appomattox River Regional Park, part of the FOLAR Trail. More info on our website. Link in bio.

#appomattoxriver #folar #visitvirginia #hopewellva #princegeorgecounty #trail #trailrunning #hiking #virginiaisforoutdoorlovers #wanderlove #5&dime #outdoors #travel #roadtrip
...

Whether you’re looking to hook a mammoth cat or big bass fishing, we’ve got plenty of water for you to try your luck. More info on our website. Link in bio. 

#fishing #bassfishing #catfishing #catfish #virginiaisforriverlovers #wanderlove #jamesriver #appomattoxriver #5&dime #travel #roadtrip #hopewellva #princegeorgecounty #virginia

Whether you’re looking to hook a mammoth cat or big bass fishing, we’ve got plenty of water for you to try your luck. More info on our website. Link in bio.

#fishing #bassfishing #catfishing #catfish #virginiaisforriverlovers #wanderlove #jamesriver #appomattoxriver #5&dime #travel #roadtrip #hopewellva #princegeorgecounty #virginia
...

Fireworks on the Appomattox are back this weekend on Saturday, July 3rd at 9:30. For more info and viewing locations, check out our website. Link in bio.

Fireworks on the Appomattox are back this weekend on Saturday, July 3rd at 9:30. For more info and viewing locations, check out our website. Link in bio. ...