The Madison, VA region is renowned as a premier rainbow, brook, and brown trout fly fishing destination, with lakes teeming with largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, and channel catfish. Grab your fishing gear, get in a tough and rugged Ford Explorer, Bronco, or F-150, and head down the road to the top fishing spots below.
1. Rose River
If you are into Western-style fly fishing and want to hook catch-and-release trophy trout, head 9.3 miles down the road to Rose River Farm at 3099 Old Blue Ridge Turnpike in Syria, voted for the best fly fishing in Virginia.
The spring-fed, cold, and clear Rose River holds some of the purest water in the state, with abundant natural fish food to ensure big rainbow, brook, and brown trout catches all year round. If you’re new at fly fishing, the farm offers lessons from experts. You can even make a whole weekend of it and stay over in one of the luxury cabins.
2. Rapidan River
The pristine Rapidan River is one of Virginia’s premier native brook trout streams. Drive about 12 miles to Graves Mill, park at Graves Mill Historical Park at 52 Bluff Mountain Road, and follow the river upstream for the best catch-and-release brook trout fly fishing in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Anglers reel in seven to nine-inch catches, and you hear the occasional boast of ten inches.
3. Lake Culpeper / Lake Pelham
Load your fishing tackle in your Ford and drive the 18 miles to Lake Culpeper, also called Lake Pelham, to hook largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, and channel catfish. It’s also an excellent spot if you want to catch yellow perch.
Lake Culpeper Adventures, behind The Ole Country Store and Bakery, off Route 29 South in Culpeper, offers watercraft rentals for the best lake access.
4. Mountain Run Lake
The scenic 75-acre Mountain Run Lake is surrounded by woodlands and has plenty of spots in the shade to drop your hook. The lake teems with largemouth bass and redear sunfish, with bluegill in good supply.
Mountain Run Lake Park at 16283 J.B. Carpenter Jr. Drive in Culpeper offers ample shore fishing space, a courtesy fishing pier, and a boat launch if you want to try your luck on the water.
If you are 16 or older and plan to go freshwater fishing, you’ll need a state or countywide fishing license. Additionally, you’ll need a trout license if you want to catch trout. You can quickly obtain these licenses by visiting the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website. Before you go off to hook that big one, swing by Madison Ford today to find the best SUV or truck for superb fishing expeditions.
Connect with us
