| Notices |
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| Fee Fishing Areas Have Reopened (Daily Trout Stocking Schedule)DWR’s fee fishing areas at Douthat State Park, Crooked Creek and Clinch Mountain have reopened for the season. More information on these areas can be found on the Fee Fishing Areas page. Please note that the concession stand at Crooked Creek will remain closed for the season. Daily permits can be purchased beforehand at the local Walmart in Galax, VA, or online at Go Outdoors Virginia. |
| Trophy Stocking Week Returns to Clinch Mountain and Crooked Creek Fee Fishing Areas (Daily Trout Stocking Schedule)Several hundred citation Brook, Brown and Rainbow Trout will be stocked by hatchery staff over the course of the events at both locations. Trophy stockings at Clinch Mountain will take place on June 12, 14, 16 and 17. Trophy stockings at Crooked Creek will take place on June 19, 21, 23 and 24. A daily permit ($8.00) is required of anglers in addition to a valid Virginia freshwater fishing license; however, children 12 and under may fish without a permit as long as they are accompanied by a permitted adult and their combined creel does not exceed 6 trout. Don’t miss these great opportunities to fish for high quality trout! |
| Doe Creek WMA: Limited Hunting Opportunities Due to Abnormally Dry Conditions (Doe Creek)At this time, limited hunting opportunities are available due to abnormally dry conditions. For other opportunities for walk-in waterfowl hunting on the Eastern Shore, please check out Saxis WMA or Mockhorn Island - GATR Tract. |
| Bow Fishing on Hog Island WMA (Hog Island)Bow Fishing will not be permitted on Hog Island WMA until further notice. This action is to avoid foot traffic near sensitive new infrastructure. We will evaluate the potential to reopen the area to bow fishing in the coming years. |
| Chandler’s Mill Pond (Chandler's Mill Pond)Rainfall totals from a February 2022 rain event, coupled with a large volume of snow melt from winter storms, resulted in extensive flooding in the Chandler’s Mill Pond watershed and a subsequent breach of the dam. Repairs are anticipated to start early to mid-April 2023. For the first couple months it will be primarily site work in preparation for the spillway. By summer we anticipate the new spillway to be in progress. The final part of the project will be the road turn around, culverts, fencing, and finish grading, which we anticipate occurring in the fall to winter timeframe. Once the dam is repaired and stabilized, we will start the process of refilling the pond. The current anticipated finish date is March 1, 2024, but is subject to change due to weather conditions and the availability of materials. |
| Gill Lice Detected in Rainbow Trout in Virginia (Trout Fishing Guide)Fisheries biologists with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) recently identified gill lice on rainbow trout in a stream in southwestern Virginia. We are now asking anglers to assist us in determining the extent of gill lice by being on the lookout while fishing their favorite trout stream. Learn more about gill lice and how you can help. |
| Clarkton Bridge Boat Landing Permanently Closed (Clarkton Bridge)Clarkton Bridge Boat Landing, located just off Rt. 620 (Clarkton Bridge Road), in Charlotte County has been permanently closed to public access. Boaters are encouraged to use the DWR Boat Landing located off US 501 at Brookneal or the Watkins Bridge Boat Landing on Rt. 746 north of Clover. |
| Dutch Gap Boat Ramp (Dutch Gap)Chesterfield County has assumed all operational control of the Dutch Gap Boat Ramp. Please note that there may be significant delays to traffic due to truck activity related to removal of fly ash at the adjacent Dominion Power site. For more information please go to Chesterfield's website or Dominon's website. |
| Fluvanna Ruritan Lake Boat Ramp Closed (Ruritan Lake)The Fluvanna Ruritan Lake boat ramp will be closed until further notice. |
| Gloucester Point Boat Access – Use Caution (Gloucester Point)Due to the potential for flooding at this location, boaters should exercise caution when landing and launching during extreme high tides and other high water events. |
| Exercise Caution When Navigating Greenvale Creek (Greenvale Creek)Boaters are advised that the U.S. Coast Guard has determined that due to extreme shoaling Greenvale Creek in Lancaster County is no longer considered a navigable waterway. Consequently the Coast Guard has removed all navigational markers. Boaters should exercise caution when attempting to navigate Greenvale Creek and should be particularly aware of tides. |
| Notices for Mill Creek Boat Access (Mill Creek)Due to sedimentation deposits, Mill Creek landing is not currently suitable for most vessels. This location may still be suitable for kayaking and small boats. Please use at your own risk. |
| Changes in Parking at Whitethorne Boating Access (Whitethorne)Please note that parking is only allowed in the DWR parking lot adjacent to the boat ramp. Because of safety concerns, parking on railroad property on the opposite side of the tracks is prohibited. DWR is working to secure additional overflow parking arrangements. Please respect private property and comply with posted regulations. |
| Ancarrow’s Landing – Mud and Debris (Ancarrow's Landing)Mud and debris may be present on ramp and walkways. Use caution when launching and retrieving. |
| Cumberland State Forest: Swinging Bridge Closed (Cumberland State Forest)Following inspection by a panel of engineers, the swinging bridge at Warner has been deemed unsafe and is closed until further notice. |
| Attention Anglers & Boaters: North Fork Shenandoah River Algal Growth (Shenandoah River - North Fork)Sections of the North Fork Shenandoah frequently experience excess algal growth during the summer months. Several naturally occurring cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) species have the ability to form harmful algae blooms (HAB) and produce cyanotoxins which affect humans and pets through skin contact, inhalation, and accidental ingestion during recreational activities in surface waters. For the latest information concerning water borne hazards, consult the Virginia Department of Health’s website. |
| Leesville Dam Tailrace Fishing Area (Staunton River) Is Closed Until Further Notice (Staunton River)The Leesville Dam Tailrace Fishing Area on the north side of the Staunton River at the base of Leesville Dam in Campbell County has been closed until further notice. Due to age and water undercutting the platforms, structural damage has occurred resulting in a public safety concern. It was originally closed but partially reopened in July. However, after further assessment, it has been determined it is no longer safe for public access. This does not affect the hand launch boat access and parking area, which remains open. |
| Flippo-Gentry WMA Timber Harvest (Flippo-Gentry)Visitors to Flippo-Gentry Wildlife Management Area are advised that a timber harvest is underway. Loggers may be working in any of the areas shown on this map. Please use caution in these areas and do not block roads and or logging vehicles. |
| CF Highlands Dante – Spearhead Trails (CF Highlands Dante)The Spearhead Trails are not completed at this time. |
| Sunfish Pond Low Water Notice (Powhatan)Due to a leak in the stand pipe for the Sunfish pond the water levels will remain low and fluctuate. Anglers are prohibited from fishing in the immediate area of the stand pipe until further notice. Fishing can still be done from the parking area at the upper part of the lake but caution should be used due to the mud and sediment. Please also consider the Bullhead Pond or Bass Pond as alternatives when fishing at this area. |
| Rapidan WMA – Middle River Tract – 4WD Vehicle Recommended (Rapidan)Public vehicular access to the Rapidan WMA has been restored to the Middle River Tract via Route 615/Bluff Mountain Road. However, it is strongly recommended that anyone wanting to drive into this area should do so with a 4WD vehicle due to the existing conditions. Foot traffic is still allowed throughout the tract. DWR and a number of partners have worked together to improve access to the Rapidan Tract. Even with these improvements, it is still a good idea to use a 4WD vehicle to reach this part of the WMA. |
| Amelia Lake Fishing Pier Closed (Amelia Lake)The fishing pier at Amelia Lake in the Amelia WMA is closed due to storm damage. We hope to replace the pier at a later date. Bank fishing opportunities are still available at that location. |
| Fluvanna Ruritan Lake – Low Lake Level (Fluvanna Ruritan)The spillway of Fluvanna Ruritan Lake sustained storm damage that needs repair. The lake is being maintained at a lower level (3–5 feet below normal pool) to limits the amount of discharge released through the spillway until repairs can be made. Planning for the repair project has begun and the agency is looking to secure funding to complete the project. Any updates on the repairs or water levels will be posted on this page. |
| Powhatan Lakes – Low Lake Level (Powhatan Lakes)The spillways of both lakes sustained storm damage that need substantial repair. The Powhatan Lakes are being maintained at lower levels (4–6 feet below normal pool) to limits the amount of discharge released through the spillways until repairs can be made. Planning for the repair project has begun and the agency is looking to secure funding to complete the repairs. Any updates on the repairs or water levels will be posted on this page. |
| DWR Removes Dike 3 Fishing Platform at Lake Anna Due to Safety Concerns (Lake Anna - Dike 3)The Dike III Fishing platform and associated concrete pathway located off Moody Town Road (Bumpass, VA - Lake Anna) is a favorite fishing location for many anglers in the area. The facility, however, was in a deteriorated condition and did not meet current safety standards. While the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) promotes public access whenever possible, due to the age and continuing deterioration of the fishing platform and concrete pathway, DWR has removed it. The site continues to be available for shoreline fishing. |
| Lake Shenandoah Dam Restoration Update (Lake Shenandoah)Background: A flood occurred at Lake Shenandoah. During this event the emergency spillway (north side of dam) was damaged, requiring extensive repair. The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) engineering staff inspected the damage and, due to the severity, were required by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Dam Safety Division to lower the lake approximately 5 feet from full pool to reduce the threat of the dam failing during a high water event. In addition, DCR Dam Safety recently updated hazard assessment criteria for all dams in Virginia. In order to bring the Lake Shenandoah Dam into compliance with dam safety requirements, it was determined that the dam would need to be completely reconstructed. Present Work: • DWR staff constructed an alternate boat launch area, seeded exposed banks to reduce erosion, repositioned the floating pier, and mowed new bank fishing access areas. • Contractors completed a culvert replacement in the northern arm of the lake and upgraded the road leading to the dam, so heavy equipment can access the area. • DWR engineering staff are in ongoing discussions with engineering firms to finalize plans to reconstruct the dam and emergency spillway. There are a variety of options that are being evaluated, all of which are extremely costly. Regardless of which option is chosen, DWR will maintain the pool at a lower level than it had been historically out of concern for flooding impacts to downstream structures and upstream structures due to potential backups from the dam during flood events (even after the dam is repaired). The fishery in the lake is intact even in its current state, and we would expect it to do well after the reconstruction of the dam under the current proposals. |
| Changes to Deep Bottom and Osborne Pike Boat Access Schedules (Deep Bottom)Henrico County Parks and Recreation will be closing the ramp at Deep Bottom Park at sunset beginning on September 27, 2021. To ensure continued access for night-time angling on the James River the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will be opening the Osborne Landing Boat ramp to night-time launching effective immediately. |
| COVID-19 & the VBWT (Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail)Before heading out to visit a site on the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, be sure to check if that site has any COVID-19 policies or closures in place. This information is typically posted on a site's own website. |