Part of Fish Virginia First
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
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
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 –
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