Richmond City Parks Lakes

Hours for all Richmond City Park lakes are from sunrise to sunset, except for Boat (Fountain) Lake in Byrd Park, which is open from sunrise to 10:00 p.m. in summer.

Bryan Park contains two adjacent ponds of approximately six acres each, is owned and operated by the City of Richmond. It is located just north of the intersection of I-64 and I-95. The main entrance is on Hermitage Road, but it can also be accessed at times from Bryan Park Avenue. Bryan Park is very picturesque, particularly during the spring when its gardens of flowers are in bloom. It has a large picnic shelter and handicap facilities. The ponds contain channel catfish, which are stocked annually, as well as reproducing populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and pumpkinseed sunfish.

Shields Lake is located in Byrd Park, which is owned and operated by The City of Richmond. Byrd Park is located on Boulevard Avenue in downtown Richmond. This beautiful 7-acre lake is one of the main attractions at this park. The entire shoreline is accessible to anglers. There are picnic and handicap facilities available year-round. Channel catfish are stocked annually, and the lake also contains reproducing populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, green sunfish, yellow perch, and brown bullheads. Additionally, catchable-size trout are stocked in the lake from November through March. A trout license is required in addition to a fishing license in order to fish the lake between November 1st and April 30th.

Swan Lake is located in Byrd Park, which is owned and operated by The City of Richmond. Byrd Park is located on Boulevard Avenue in downtown Richmond. This beautiful 12-acre lake is one of the main attractions at this park. Similar to Shields Lake, the entire shoreline is accessible to anglers. There are picnic and handicap facilities available year-round. Channel catfish are stocked annually, and the lake also contains reproducing populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, and brown bullheads.

Boat (Fountain) Lake in Byrd Park provides some exciting bass fishing opportunities. The lake has had a history of fish kills caused by oxygen depletions and this has disrupted the fish population dynamics. Recent DWR survey of the lake revealed a surprising abundance of quality-sized bass. The sunfish population was nothing to write home about.