Fishing in NOVA? (Burke, Reston, Great Falls: rent, pollution, license)

[aduma]

Anyone have some fishing tips for someone without a boat? Just have a rod and reel and some light tackle, looking for a place to fish for anything really near the DC area.

[BillHoo]

Get a license and troll along the banks for some of those really big Potomac catfish!

But don't eat them!

The pollution has caused some male catfish to develop female genitalia.

But they still put up a big fight!

You can also cast along the grassy marshes for snakeheads. They have a fast growth rate so they do not get a chance to absorb the pollutants. They are good eating I hear. But bring a rag to clean your hands as they are covered with a smelly slime.

[Bigfoot424]

Google is your friend.

RESTON LAKES and OTHERS (All Fishing & Family Friendly) | BayBass Outdoors

Leesylvania State Park

[KM_W&M06]

If you have a car and don't mind a short drive west, you can check out the South Fork of the Shenandoah at Guest State Park:

Shenandoah River State Park

There is a 3 mile trail along the bank you can hike with access to the river for fishing/wading...nice smallmouth fishing here.

Usually my dad and I take our canoes up river to Low Water Bridge and float down to the park, you can always rent a canoe/kayak from Down River Canoe right there at the bridge and do the same.

Downriver Canoe

If that's too far, you could check out Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary near Reagan National Airport, I've caught some decent sized largemouth there and it's not as crowded as other rivers/lakes around here:

Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail » Coastal Trail » Great Falls » Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by KM_W&M06

If you have a car and don't mind a short drive west, you can check out the South Fork of the Shenandoah at Guest State Park:

Shenandoah River State Park

There is a 3 mile trail along the bank you can hike with access to the river for fishing/wading...nice smallmouth fishing here.

Usually my dad and I take our canoes up river to Low Water Bridge and float down to the park, you can always rent a canoe/kayak from Down River Canoe right there at the bridge and do the same.

Downriver Canoe

If that's too far, you could check out Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary near Reagan National Airport, I've caught some decent sized largemouth there and it's not as crowded as other rivers/lakes around here:

Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail » Coastal Trail » Great Falls » Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary

Really nice area. Can make it a nice drive as well by going through Warrenton and out 211 to Luray and N on 340.

[KM_W&M06]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

Really nice area. Can make it a nice drive as well by going through Warrenton and out 211 to Luray and N on 340.

For sure, been there twice in the last 3 weeks

[coolio69]

If you go down the GW Parkway south, there are some spots along the Potomac that you can stop. I want to say they are around the WW wilson bridge, but don't quote me. They have parking. If you see some signs that say, "don't eat the fish" by the water, you're at a good fishing spot.

[djbuzzard]

Check Best Fishing App for iPhone and Android

[Fundman]

Try fishing at Burke Lake.
Lake Burke - Fishing Opportunities

[rute boye]

For all the latest fishing news & locations in NOVA and beyond, check out Charlie Taylor's Fishing Report website at:

Charlie Taylor's Fishing Report

That oughta get you started!