Upcoming Events: Fishing

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Albemarle County Parks and Recreation. More details available at the host's website (click on the "More Information" button).

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Bland County Many Beards of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Wytheville Community College.

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Warren County Virginia Sheriff's Office. More details available from the host (click on the "More Information" button below).

In celebration of World Fish Migration Day, take a guided walking tour of Bosher’s Dam and Fishway (home of the Shad Cam!) with DWR Fish Passage Coordinator, Alan Weaver and his fish passage crew. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the fishway inside the dam and learn directly from DWR staff about the history of the fishway and how the fish passage program helps maintain healthy populations of fish in Virginia like American Shad, Striped Bass, Sea Lamprey and over 30 other resident species including a multitude of Gizzard Shad. If conditions allow, there will also be a boat electrofishing demonstration and fish identification opportunity along with a chance to hold a James River fish!

Location: Access to Bosher's Dam is through the Roslyn Retreat Center (8727 River Road, Richmond, VA 23229), just east of Rt.150/Parham Road. Once on the grounds, follow signs for Bosher’s Tour Parking.

Parking: If dry enough, vehicles can be parked on the lower field near the canal/RR crossing gate. If conditions are wet, parking will be at Tucker Hall.

Additional Information: Wear appropriate seasonal attire and good walking shoes. There is an approximate 0.40 mile walk from the parking area down a gravel road to the fishway. There is a walkway on the fishway with handrails, but climbing a few short flights of stairs is required to access the walkway. The counting room and window where Shad Cam is located can be viewed from above, but there is no public entry into the counting room (participants with internet access on their mobile devices can tune in to Shad Cam Live while on site as well). Those under age 17 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

This is an additional satellite event for World Fish Migration Day, which will have events and programs at Ancarrows Landing on May 2, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For more information, visit the Bosher’s Dam and view Shad Cam live!

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Staunton Parks and Recreation. Visit the host's website for more information (click the "More Information" button below).

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Whitewood Volunteer Fire Department.

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Town of Narrows, Narrows Police Department, and Giles County, VA.

This kids fishing event is being hosted by the Marion Police Department.

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Rugby Fire and Rescue. Check the host's social media closer to the event date for details.

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Frederick County Parks and Recreation. More details available on the host's website (click the "More Information" button below).

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Craig County Sheriff's Office. More details available on the host's website (click on the "More Information" button below).

This kids fishing event is being hosted by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Click the "More Information" button below for details.

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Highland County Recreation Commission. More details available from the host website (click the "More Information" button below).

This kids fishing event is being hosted by the Wise Kiwanis Club. More details are available from the host (click the "More Information" button below).

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Floyd County Sheriff's Office.

This kids fishing event is being hosted by Cleveland Virginia Rural Development.

Registration for this virtual series opens April 17th @ 8:00am.

Beginning in 2026, the VOW Program will be hosting an annual Women's Mentored Flyfishing Virtual Series covering all topics related to flyfishing in Virginia. Virtual classes will be held every other week beginning on May 20th and concluding on September 5th. This series will cover flyfishing in general, and will not focus on any specific fish species, but instead is designed for beginners and women interested in flyfishing and need the basic information and resources to get started. Throughout the series, there will also be scheduled in-person opportunities and additional events/workshops throughout the state to promote a sense of community.

The Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) program's goal is to help women feel comfortable and confident in the outdoors - no matter their experience level. DWR is committed to developing a community of women who enjoy the outdoors, value the importance of conservation and outdoor recreation, and want to have opportunities for personal growth, independence, and empowerment.

Please NOTE: All virtual VOW courses do not qualify for any of the VOW Certificates. By registering for this event, you are automatically registered for ALL classes, EXCEPT the final workshop on Sept. 5th. Separate registration is required for the in-person workshop and will be a first come - first served basis at the conclusion of the August 12th virtual class.

Classes will generally be 45 minutes of instruction/presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. Please visit the registration page for class schedule and agenda.

This kids fishing event is being hosted by the Town of Pennington Gap. Visit the host's website for more information (click on the "More Information" button below).

Virginia DWR is hosting an Introduction to Angling workshop on Sunday, May 24th from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Hopyard Landing on the tidal Rappahannock River in King George County. Learn how to cast a fishing rod, tie your own knots, and catch a variety of warmwater fish! Participants will learn techniques to catch species like Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass, among others. DWR staff and volunteers will provide personalized, one-on-one instruction to beginner anglers, offering tips and tricks for fishing across the Commonwealth.

Pre-registration is required for this hands-on educational workshop! Anyone 16 years of age or older must have a valid Virginia freshwater fishing license. Options include an annual freshwater fishing license or a short-term five-day freshwater fishing license.

VOW Course: This event qualifies as a VOW @ the Pond. This event can be used to complete the Fishing Certification in the Virginia Outdoor Women (VOW) Program. This event is open to all registrants.

DWR will be hosting this Free Fishing Days event. Agency staff and volunteers will be on site with rods and reels, terminal tackle, and bait, ready to instruct you on how to fish. Events are free and no registration is required. No fishing license of any kind will be required for recreational rod and reel fishing during Free Fishing Days (June 5–7, 2026). Also during that time facilities use permits will also not be required. All fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions will remain in effect.

DWR will be hosting this Free Fishing Days event. Agency staff and volunteers will be on site with rods and reels, terminal tackle, and bait, ready to instruct you on how to fish. Events are free and no registration is required. No fishing license of any kind will be required for recreational rod and reel fishing during Free Fishing Days (June 5–7, 2026). Also during that time facilities use permits will also not be required. All fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions will remain in effect.

DWR will be hosting this Free Fishing Days event. Agency staff and volunteers will be on site with rods and reels, terminal tackle, and bait, ready to instruct you on how to fish. Events are free and no registration is required. No fishing license of any kind will be required for recreational rod and reel fishing during Free Fishing Days (June 5–7, 2026). Also during that time facilities use permits will also not be required. All fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions will remain in effect. Daily fees to enter Carvins Cove will be waived for the general public attending DWR’s free fishing days event.

DWR will be hosting this Free Fishing Days event. Agency staff and volunteers will be on site with rods and reels, terminal tackle, and bait, ready to instruct you on how to fish. Events are free and no registration is required. No fishing license of any kind will be required for recreational rod and reel fishing during Free Fishing Days (June 5–7, 2026). Also during that time facilities use permits will also not be required. All fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions will remain in effect.

DWR will be hosting this Free Fishing Days event. Agency staff and volunteers will be on site with rods and reels, terminal tackle, and bait, ready to instruct you on how to fish. Events are free and no registration is required. No fishing license of any kind will be required for recreational rod and reel fishing during Free Fishing Days (June 5–7, 2026). Also during that time facilities use permits will also not be required. All fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions will remain in effect.