Important Notices
| Changes To Angler Access – Mossy Creek Special Regulation Area (Augusta County)At the request of the landowner, anglers will no longer have fishing access on approximately 1,100 ft. of Mossy Creek within the Mossy Creek Special Regulation Area. This property has been “posted” and is located immediately upstream and downstream of where Mossy Creek passes under Iron Works Road (SR 809) adjacent to Route 42 near Bridgewater. Please refer to the Maps posted on the DWR website. In addition, the designated angler parking area located at the intersection of Mossy Creek Road (SR 747) & Iron Works Road (SR 809) has been closed by the landowner. Anglers are instructed to park at the existing parking area upstream on Kyles Mill Road (SR 613) adjacent to Mossy Creek Presbyterian Church. DWR plans to work with adjacent landowners and Trout Unlimited to secure a new parking area downstream. Anglers are required to obtain a free Mossy Creek Landowner Permit to fish the 4.0 mile Mossy Creek Special Regulation Area. Anglers are reminded that the entire Mossy Creek SRA runs through private property. Please be courteous and respectful to these landowners. |
| Draft Virginia Stocked Trout Management Plan (2026–2035) Available for Review & Public CommentStocked trout in Virginia are managed under the DWR’s stocked trout management plan. This draft covers 2026–2035 and we are seeking public comment. Review and comment on the Draft Virginia Stocked Trout Management Plan » |
| Change to Cranesnest River Stocking in Dickenson CountyAs a result of the closure of Cranesnest River Campground Road, the stocked section of the Cranesnest River in Dickenson County will not receive the fifth stocking that, as a Category B water, it would normally get. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed the entire road for maintenance and resurfacing. |
| Lake Thompson Trout StockingDue to inconsistent water levels, we have discontinued trout stocking at Lake Thompson indefinitely. |
| Back Creek Delayed Harvest (Bath County)No Trespass signs at the private service road bridge at the lower boundary of the Delayed Harvest Section have been posted by Dominion Energy for public safety reasons. Vehicular & pedestrian traffic across the bridge is prohibited. Anglers can park on the south/downstream side of the bridge and access the Delayed Harvest section of Back Creek by foot around the bridge. |
Virginia contains over 3,500 miles of trout streams, in addition to numerous ponds, small lakes and reservoirs. The total includes over 2,900 miles of wild trout streams and about 600 miles of water inhabited with stocked trout. Virginia’s diversified trout habitat offers a wide range of trout fishing opportunities.
- Trout Fishing Changes & Updates for 2026
- Tiger Trout in Virginia
- Trout Season and Limits
- Where to Go Trout Fishing (Interactive Map)
- Daily Trout Stocking Information
- Designated Trout Waters (Catchable Trout Stocking Waters)
- Pre-Announced Stocked Trout Waters
- Catchable Trout Stocking Plan (PDF)
- Trout Heritage Day
- Urban Program Waters
- Kids Fishing Events
- Youth-Only Stocked Trout Program
- Special Regulation Trout Waters
- Delayed Harvest Waters
- Fee Fishing Areas
- Special Trout Areas: Shenandoah National Park & Blue Ridge Parkway Waters
- Artificial Lure Definition
- Landowner Permits
- License Requirements for Trout Fishing
- Freshwater Fish Citations
- Didymo in Virginia
Trout Management in Virginia
Trout management in Virginia consists of three basic programs.
- The Catchable Trout Stocking Program is the best known and most popular. “Designated Stocked Trout Waters” are stocked from October through May with catchable-sized trout. See the Trout Stocking Plan for the streams and lakes stocked and their stocking schedule.
- The Wild Trout Program includes the management of reproducing populations of brook, rainbow, and brown trout. Efforts are directed primarily at habitat preservation and proper regulation for protection of spawning stocks.
- The Fingerling Trout Stocking Program involves stocking sublegal trout into waters that have cold summer water temperatures and a good food source. This is the smallest of the three programs, but includes many of our high quality, special regulation trout fishing waters.