Northern Virginia (Nova) Fishing Discussion/reports

[RichF]

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

@RichF, I've been out there probably four or five times this year.  No more than three bass total to show for it.  I haven't learned to compete when the shad get so thick that you can snag one every other cast. 

 

I'd be interested to hear if anyone is getting out at Lake Ridge.  Nova Parks has closed up BRM.  (And ORP, so probably Fountainhead and Pohick, as well.)

 

I might understand if they staffed those ramps, but most are open when not staffed.  Seems crazy to shut 'em down -- especially hand launch sites.  What could be more socially distancing than solo kayak fishing?

Just called Fountainhead today and they're closed until the end of the month.  I was going to go out Sunday and the following weekend:(  Grrrrrrr

[RichF]

May have to go try walking around Lake Mercer this weekend.  Never been there and not much for shore fishing anymore but I need to wet a dang line!  The dam appears to be easily accessible by trail.  Is the rest of the lake fairly easy to walk?

[Choporoz]

1 hour ago, RichF said:

May have to go try walking around Lake Mercer this weekend.  Never been there and not much for shore fishing anymore but I need to wet a dang line!  The dam appears to be easily accessible by trail.  Is the rest of the lake fairly easy to walk?

That's the one in Lorton, right?  A couple years ago, I parked in a residential circle (south side, maybe?) and walked down to the pond.  I don't recall that I fished at all, but it looked like you could fish from bank around the dam and up each side a little.  The side I parked was wooded....IIRC, a little dense for casting, but probably could be done.  I always intended to go back with a yak, but never did.  The far end (NW?) looked shallow and stumpy; there was a lot of 'activity' that afternoon -- no clue if carp, cats, bluegill or bass, but the surface looked busy.  Good luck.

[RichF]

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

That's the one in Lorton, right?  A couple years ago, I parked in a residential circle (south side, maybe?) and walked down to the pond.  I don't recall that I fished at all, but it looked like you could fish from bank around the dam and up each side a little.  The side I parked was wooded....IIRC, a little dense for casting, but probably could be done.  I always intended to go back with a yak, but never did.  The far end (NW?) looked shallow and stumpy; there was a lot of 'activity' that afternoon -- no clue if carp, cats, bluegill or bass, but the surface looked busy.  Good luck.

Yup that's the one. There is a little parking area off of Hooes Rd. The trail goes to the d**n area (according to google maps). I'll be sure to report back but like most overcrowded NOVA ponds, I'm not expecting much, haha.

[SeeNoSun]

Anybody find out if Lake Ridge Marina is open? 

[Choporoz]

9 hours ago, SeeNoSun said:

Anybody find out if Lake Ridge Marina is open? 

Was still open last week.

[RichF]

23 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Was still open last week.

Are they renting boats out?

[Choporoz]

59 minutes ago, RichF said:

Are they renting boats out?

No.

I can't imagine that's going to happen any time soon.  

But, they have not closed the ramp, like Nova Parks has at ORP, BRM, etc.

[RichF]

2 hours ago, Choporoz said:

No.

I can't imagine that's going to happen any time soon.  

But, they have not closed the ramp, like Nova Parks has at ORP, BRM, etc.

Gotchya. I figured they wouldn't be.  Glad to hear the ramp is open though.

[SeeNoSun]

6 hours ago, Choporoz said:

No.

I can't imagine that's going to happen any time soon.  

But, they have not closed the ramp, like Nova Parks has at ORP, BRM, etc.

Thanks - At least I can get out and practice some kayak social distancing. Hope it warms up a bit soon.

[Choporoz]

27 minutes ago, SeeNoSun said:

Thanks - At least I can get out and practice some kayak social distancing. Hope it warms up a bit soon.

'State lakes' (Burke, Orange, Brittle, etc) are open, too.

 

From DGIF web page as of today:

 

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) is taking the COVID-19 virus very seriously and wants to make sure our staff and constituents are taking all necessary precautions. DGIF encourages everyone in the Commonwealth to utilize the online option, gooutdoorsvirginia.com for all of your licensing and registration needs. Hunters, anglers, boaters and wildlife enthusiasts can do most transactions online.

As you may have seen circulating around social media, DGIF has not canceled any hunting seasons or fishing opportunities. All access points are open. NO license requirements or regulations on fishing or hunting have been lifted. Please follow all rules and regulations.

The upcoming turkey season, including youth and apprentice weekend, are still on schedule. For more information on turkey season and other open seasons, visit our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are DGIF offices still open?

Until further notice, all DGIF offices will be closed to walk-in traffic.

Q: Are the woods and waters still open?

Yes, Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and DGIF lakes and rivers are still open. However, please check with your local county and city for any additional closures of parks, lakes, or piers.

Every person who is required to have a license to fish, hunt, and/or trap must carry such license with them (electronic copy, printed paper, or annual hard card) and show the license immediately upon request of any officer whose duty it is to enforce the game and inland fish laws, or upon the demand of any owner or lessee, or any employee or representative of such owner or lessee, upon whose land or water such person may be hunting, trapping, or fishing. DGIF also requires visitors to obtain an an Access Permit for department-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and public fishing lakes, who are age 17 and older, unless they possess a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current Virginia boat registration, or are otherwise waived. Please see Access Permit Waiver Guidance.

 

[SeeNoSun]

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

'State lakes' (Burke, Orange, Brittle, etc) are open, too.

 

From DGIF web page as of today:

 

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) is taking the COVID-19 virus very seriously and wants to make sure our staff and constituents are taking all necessary precautions. DGIF encourages everyone in the Commonwealth to utilize the online option, gooutdoorsvirginia.com for all of your licensing and registration needs. Hunters, anglers, boaters and wildlife enthusiasts can do most transactions online.

As you may have seen circulating around social media, DGIF has not canceled any hunting seasons or fishing opportunities. All access points are open. NO license requirements or regulations on fishing or hunting have been lifted. Please follow all rules and regulations.

The upcoming turkey season, including youth and apprentice weekend, are still on schedule. For more information on turkey season and other open seasons, visit our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are DGIF offices still open?

Until further notice, all DGIF offices will be closed to walk-in traffic.

Q: Are the woods and waters still open?

Yes, Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and DGIF lakes and rivers are still open. However, please check with your local county and city for any additional closures of parks, lakes, or piers.

Every person who is required to have a license to fish, hunt, and/or trap must carry such license with them (electronic copy, printed paper, or annual hard card) and show the license immediately upon request of any officer whose duty it is to enforce the game and inland fish laws, or upon the demand of any owner or lessee, or any employee or representative of such owner or lessee, upon whose land or water such person may be hunting, trapping, or fishing. DGIF also requires visitors to obtain an an Access Permit for department-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and public fishing lakes, who are age 17 and older, unless they possess a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current Virginia boat registration, or are otherwise waived. Please see Access Permit Waiver Guidance.

 

Thanks again - I forgot that I hadn't purchased my 2020 Fishing License!

[SeeNoSun]

I went to Lake Ridge yesterday and the marina was closed.

[RichF]

On 3/28/2020 at 2:04 PM, SeeNoSun said:

I went to Lake Ridge yesterday and the marina was closed.

Is the ramp still open? Are any ramps still open?  Saw today that Pohick Bay is closed to boating. 

[RichF]

Are you allowed to put a yak in at Roach's Run near Reagan??

[novafx4]

I checked the NoVA Parks website this afternoon and Fountainhead is closed to boaters. Only foot traffic and biking allowed at the moment. I've got my PA14 all rigged up and my plan was to hit FH this weekend. I may give Mercer a try or the lake across the Pkwy behind the Giant may have some potential. I haven't been to either of those in several years.

 

CURRENT STATUS:

Vehicle access to Fountainhead is closed until further notice. Please do not park illegally or block the gates. The mountain bike trail is closed.  The park offices, bait shop, restrooms, shelter, boat rental and boat launch are closed. Bull Run Occoquan Trail is open for walking/hiking/biking* from dawn to dusk. (*Biking on authorized sections only of BROT- trail conditions permitting.) Please practice social distancing on trails.. We will update this message to refer to the hours below once the current situation has changed.  

 

https://www.novaparks.com/parks/fountainhead-regional-park

[SeeNoSun]

On 4/2/2020 at 12:59 PM, RichF said:

Is the ramp still open? Are any ramps still open?  Saw today that Pohick Bay is closed to boating. 

They have a gate closed and locked across the road at the entrance. No way to get to the ramp.

 

[RichF]

Is the trail off Wagon Trail Ln easy to wheel a kayak down to Mercer on?  With all the parks closed, I'm looking for a place to drop the new yak for it's maiden voyage.

 

While I'm at it...is it worth trying to dump in around Dyke Marsh on the Potomac?  I stopped at one of those pull offs next to the Mt Vernon trail and it looked like I could drop in there. The creeks arms in the marsh area look tempting.

[Choporoz]

I haven't been over there.  But I did scout it coming from the Cul de sac on Jeffrey.  Looked like an easy cartage to path around the lake, but a lot of brush along shore, iirc.  Seemed doable, but I never got around to trying. 

I hear Mason Neck is still open.  I've been doing well in this area of the Potomac lately.

[RichF]

4 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I haven't been over there.  But I did scout it coming from the Cul de sac on Jeffrey.  Looked like an easy cartage to path around the lake, but a lot of brush along shore, iirc.  Seemed doable, but I never got around to trying. 

I hear Mason Neck is still open.  I've been doing well in this area of the Potomac lately.

The state park?  I just google mapped it and it looks like they have a cartop launch.  Maybe I'll call tomorrow.  Thanks for the heads up!

[Choporoz]

Yes the cartop launch.  You can unload down at the shore and then park up top.  If wind is over 10, it can be difficult to find sheltered spots to fish.  But otherwise a great area.  From the launch, head right and work Kanes Creek.  

[CountryboyinDC]

11 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Yes the cartop launch.  You can unload down at the shore and then park up top.  If wind is over 10, it can be difficult to find sheltered spots to fish.  But otherwise a great area.  From the launch, head right and work Kanes Creek.  

Got to remember the tides, that becomes a ditch at low tide.  Are they still not opening that gate up at the park entrance until 0800 or whatever?

[Choporoz]

Not sure about the Mason Neck gate times right now.

Agreed about watching the tides.  They absolutely dictate Potomac bass fishing.  Unfortunately,  it can be very hard to interpret the meanings even on consecutive days.  Much of the year, outgoing tides seem to be better in most locations.   Last couple of weeks, incoming was better for me.  The only consistency lately has been that bite has died at slack tides, both high and low.

Wood has been key, but don't sleep on the moving baits right now.  Some grass is starting to come in and lipless bite turned on the other day in a big way.

[RichF]

29 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Not sure about the Mason Neck gate times right now.

Agreed about watching the tides.  They absolutely dictate Potomac bass fishing.  Unfortunately,  it can be very hard to interpret the meanings even on consecutive days.  Much of the year, outgoing tides seem to be better in most locations.   Last couple of weeks, incoming was better for me.  The only consistency lately has been that bite has died at slack tides, both high and low.

Wood has been key, but don't sleep on the moving baits right now.  Some grass is starting to come in and lipless bite turned on the other day in a big way.

Thanks for all the info! I'd love to get out there. Looks like the wind will be pretty rough this weekend. Being a noob yakker, I may just dump into roaches run for a test drive. Who would've thought I'd actually have some options during the lockdown, haha.

[CountryboyinDC]

3 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Wood has been key, but don't sleep on the moving baits right now.  Some grass is starting to come in and lipless bite turned on the other day in a big way.

Glad to hear someone's getting their bassin' on!  I don't think that I'm going to get down that way for a while, but that gives me hope.  I hope you get some good trap bite days down there - there's definitely plenty of grass on Kanes Creek.