Main Stem Shenandoah River Biologist Report 2025
During the fall of 2025, department biologists and technicians sampled the Main Stem Shenandoah using boat electrofishing equipment. Three permanent sites are sampled annually. The sites are located below the Warren Dam, near the Route 50 boat ramp, and near the Lockes landing boat ramp.
Smallmouth Bass
The Main Stem is on its way back! During our 2025 fall sampling we collected 233 Smallmouth Bass from three sites and observed a catch rate of 78 fish per hour. The river’s catch rate has trended upward for four years straight (Figure 1). A whopping 50% of the smallmouth were 11” or greater with 22% topping 14”. Five percent measured 17” plus. These are incredible numbers for the Shenandoah drainage. In fact, the catch rate of quality fish was the second highest all time! Anglers should take advantage of the high numbers of quality fish (>11”) currently in the system. The Main Stem suffers from inconsistent fish health issues much like the South Fork as well as low spawning success. However, the spawn from 2022 and 2023 were right on the long-term average of 12 fish per hour which helped improve our catch rates. Our 2024 and 2025 catch rate of young of the year were below the long term average, but a good number of juveniles remain in the system (Figure 2). This will bode well for the future of the fishery. Overall, we observed a good mix of size classes. Anglers can expect good numbers of pre slot fish running 8-11” in length, a benefit from the good spawn in 2023. There is also a variety of quality fish ranging from 11-16” plus. Quality fish numbers remain well above the long term average running at 33 fish per hour. Again, go fish the Main Stem, you will not be disappointed.
Muskellunge
Anglers also have the opportunity to catch Musky in the longer deeper pools. VDWR periodically stocks fingerling-size musky on the Main Stem Shenandoah River at 8 sites stretching from Warren Dam to the route 7 bridge. This summer it was stocked with 768 fingerling musky (approximately 4”). There has been limited evidence of muskies reproducing naturally in the Main Stem, therefore they must be stocked to sustain a fishery. Adult musky densities are not as high as some of the other rivers in the state. However, when you come across a pool on the Main Stem, anglers have the chance of contacting one. Anglers should target pools within the upstream reaches of the Main Stem, closer to the Warren Dam.
Sunfish
Sunfish are also a popular target for anglers on the Main Stem. From 2022-2024 we saw the population rebound nicely after an eight year downturn. Unfortunately, we did not have the same success with catching sunfish in 2025 (Figure 3). In fact, the catch rate was one of the lowest since we started sampling the Main Stem. It is very possible that the extremely low and clear water skewed the data, as fish can be very tricky to target under these conditions. However, with the smallmouth population on the rise and the flathead catfish population expanding, it could be that the predators are starting to have an impact. Anglers can expect a lower catch rate for sunfish in 2026, but the good news is there are some quality hand sized fish present. 38% of our sample topped 6”. Biologists will continue to monitor sunfish closely in the coming years.
Walleye
Starting in 2014, DWR began stocking Walleye fry in the Shenandoah River annually to supplement the natural population and increase the number of Walleye present. In the spring of 2025, the Main Stem received 15,381 walleye fry. Anglers should continue to experience steady catch rates and better numbers of big Walleye in 2026. During our January sample we captured 25 walleye at a rate of 9.2 fish per hour, which is right on the long term average. During the February / March spawning run biologists and technicians handled 72 fish (catch rate = 38 fish per hour). The walleye averaged 22 inches in length, with the largest female topping 27”. We continue to run into anglers who are turning on to this fishery, so plan a trip to the Shenandoah soon.
Flathead Catfish
Unfortunately, Flathead catfish were accidentally or illegally introduced into the river. Biologists have discovered both adults and wild spawned individuals from Warren Dam to the Route 50 bridge. The flathead population continues to expand especially within the upper reaches of the Main Stem. Catch rates have increased from less than one fish per hour in 2021 when they were first discovered, to five per hour in 2024. Biologists will continue to monitor the population carefully in the coming years.
Channel Catfish are very common throughout the Main Stem Shenandoah. Biologists sampled four sites this fall and captured 455 Channel Cats at a rate of 120.1 fish per hour. The Main Stem is a numbers fishery for Channel Catfish. Expect most of your catch to measure 12-18” in length. Although there aren’t many trophies, new anglers will have a blast fishing for these sassy queens.
Don’t be surprised if you catch quality-sized Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Green Sunfish, Fallfish, or Black Crappie.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3