The Cowpasture River is a beautiful waterway that meanders gently through farms, rural communities, and National Forest as it makes it’s way to the confluence with the Jackson River to form the James River. The Cowpasture features small pools and shallow riffles with a clean cobble substrate, making it home to diverse assemblages of aquatic life. The Cowpasture is legally navigable below U.S. Route 60, and there is one public access area on Forest Service land (Evans Tract). Also, two U.S. Forest Service sections provide public bank access, below Nimrod Hall (Walton Tract), and one near Williamsville (Wallace Tract). Smallmouth bass, rock bass, muskies, fallfish and redbreast sunfish can be caught in the Cowpasture.
Maps & Directions
Wallace Tract (Map)
Walton Tract Float (Map)
Distance: 2.6 Miles – The only float available within the upper / middle reaches of the Cowpasture. This short float is gentle and meanders through National Forest land. Great for new paddlers or anglers. The put-in offers good wade fishing opportunities. Both launches are hand launches only.
Sharon Park to Evans Tract (Map)
Distance: 5 Miles – This float is great for novices. This section is made up of minimal white water, riffles and runs with very few pools. Anglers must hand launch at Sharon Park.
Evans Tract to Lick Run (Map)
Distance: 3.3 Miles – This float is great for novices. This section is made up of minimal white water, riffles and runs with very few pools. Anglers must hand launch at Evans Tract.
Fishing
Smallmouth Bass
The most sought-after sportfish in the Cowpasture River is the smallmouth bass. Although the bass run on the small side throughout the entire length of the Cowpasture, deeper holes provide the opportunity to catch a quality fish. The adage, find the habitat, find the fish is important here. Much of the river is featureless at times, but when you find a rocky outcrop or a deeper pool you can be confident that a smallmouth is swimming nearby. Utilize spring flows when you can, the Cowpasture can get very low during the summer / fall and can be difficult to navigate.
Sunfish
The Cowpasture River is home to several sunfish species. They include: redbreast sunfish, rock bass, bluegill, and pumpkinseed sunfish. All these sunfish species tend to occupy similar habitats. They prefer to associate with areas of reduced current and structure. The redbreast sunfish and rock bass may also be in areas with faster currents. Sunfish densities are excellent and the number of larger “hand-size” panfish is outstanding. Anglers should not overlook the sunfish population when fishing the Cowpasture.
Fallfish
Fallfish feel right at home in the mid-depth currents of the Cowpasture. These fish are numerous and can attain lengths of up to 15+ inches. In fact, the state record fallfish has been caught a number of times out of the Cowpasture. Fallfish are often overlooked as a sportfish, but they can put up a good fight on light tackle. Fallfish often feed on the surface taking mayflies and other insects. Fly fishing for “rising” fallfish on the Cowpasture can be very rewarding.
Muskellunge
There is a small self-sustaining population of Muskellunge that call the Cowpasture their home. They inhabit the lower reaches from the dam in Millboro Springs down to the mouth in Iron Gate. Target slower flow in deeper pools and you will encounter one of these elusive predators. Springtime offers your best chance at catching musky, as adults from the James River have been known to run up the Cowpasture to spawn.
Trout
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Brook Trout are stocked in the Cowpasture downstream of the Coursey Springs Fish Hatchery in Williamsville, October – May. This section is considered a designated stocked trout water and a trout license is required from October 1 – June 15. This section is full of fantastic wade or bank fishing opportunities. Gentle riffles, swift runs, and deep plunge pools offer optimal trout habitat during the stocking season.
Other Fish Species
White Sucker, Northern Hogsucker, Black Jumprock Sucker, Common Carp, Creek Chub Suckers and Yellow Bullhead are some other fish species that anglers might encounter in the Cowpasture.
Shenandoah, Cowpasture, and James River Fish Kills Update
Biologist Reports
Regulations
- Black Bass (Smallmouth And Largemouth): 5 Per Day In Aggregate No Length Limit
- Sunfish: 50 Per Day In Aggregate. No Length Limit
- Rock Bass: 25 Per Day. No Length Limit
- Muskellunge: 1 Per Day. Minimum Size 40 Inches
- Trout: 6 Per Day. Minimum Size 7 Inches