Bass and crappie fishing locations in Richmond/Central Virginia

[Black Bill Dance]

Moved from the Downtown Richmond to Midlothian/North Chesterfield area. Really want to put my 10 freshwater poles to good use this year. Definitely want to capitalize on some good spawn fishing this spring and nice bank fishing in the summer........especially for BASS and CRAPPIE!!!

 

I do a lot of solo fishing with no boat, so pond and small lakes is what I know best!!! So if you can recommend some good public ponds or even some where I might get chased off of (never run from a challenge) would be greatly appreciated.

[Sam]

Black Bill, it is early Friday morning so I don't have time to do a lot of research for you in the Midlo area but I'll give it a shot.

 

Off the top of my head may I suggest hitting the pond off Southlake Blvd. which is off Midlo on the eastern side of Courthouse/Huguenot Road intersection. Go through the intersection and look for Southlake Blvd. Turn right and park in the realtor's lot. You can walk to the pond and then around it as you please.

 

Hit it for bass, crappie and bream.

 

Heading east on Midlo Turnpike you will see the Morefield Office Park on your right. Three small ponds in that complex with "no fishing" signs. Never been run off. Small bass in those ponds. I can't remember which one is the best so give them all a shot.

 

I have been run off the Arboretum Office Park pond. Nice bass in it. No idea if they still have security but if you want to chance getting run off give it a shot. Maybe the security guy will be taking a nap!!!

 

There is a pond in the Boulders office park. Look it up and fish it. I have not fished that pond in years. It is off Boulder Parkway and you turn into the Boulder Lake Drive parking lot.

 

There is a new pond off Lucks Lane in the area of St. Francis Hospital. You can give it shot. No idea if it holds a good population of fish. It is on your left as you travel towards the hospital on Lucks Lane.

 

In the Walton Park area there is a nice pond. I believe it is off Coalfield Road. Google Midlo area and you will see it.

 

You can hit the Powhatan Lakes, too. Check them out on Google.

 

Amelia Wildlife Area is a great small lake but hard to walk around. Limited bank fishing.

 

There are a lot of ponds in subdivisions but you will need written permission to fish them.

 

Get a copy of the 2018 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia booklet from VG&IF (free) at Dicks, Bass Pro Shops or Green Top and look for the places to fish in the greater Chesterfield County area. 

 

Be sure to have your Virginia fishing license with you in case the Chesterfield police ask you for it.

 

Good luck and let us know what ponds you fished and how you did.

 

 

[TOXIC]

That ought to keep him busy for a while!!  Great info.  

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard! Love the name  

 

That's what @Sam means by not having time for

a lot of research...it's still more complete than much

of what the rest of us would have put up WITH a lot

of research, LOL.

[Sam]

Ok Bill, let's keep the discussion going.

 

Salisbury Country Club has a series of three or four ponds we used to fish and pull out 3 ,4 and 5 pounders. Even wdycrankbait would clobber them at Salisbury.

 

We used to fish the ponds on Monday when the course was closed. Never had any problems. The golfers playing the course were not supposed to be there and if we were not supposed to be there so we had a Mexican stalemate. We let them play and they let us fish.

 

Now, there is a new golf pro who has stocked the ponds with trout and has put them off limits to fishing for those of us who are not members.

 

I have not fished the ponds in a few years and always enjoyed fishing them and meeting others who joined us. Caught a lot of beautiful bass in those ponds.

 

So if you want to take a chance this is what you do:

1.  Go to the club on a Monday when the course is closed.

2.  Turn off Salisbury Drive onto Kings Lynn Road.

3.  Make the 90* turn on Kings Lynn Road and park.

4.  Walk via the easement to the golf course.

5.  The best pond will be to your right. It has a small golf cart bridge at one end.

6.  Fish until they chase you off.

7.  Hit the other ponds as you wish.

 

By the Presbyterian church on Salisbury Drive you will find a nice pond that belongs to the Salisbury Country Club. Park in the lot by the tennis courts or in the church's parking lot and walk to the pond.  Some nice bass are in that pond.

 

Lake Salisbury is on the other side of Salisbury Drive from the golf club but you have to be a member of the association to fish it. If you do fish it there is a walkway next to a house to your left on Oakengate Road. Check it out on a map. Park and go down the steps to the dam area.

 

You will see the long dam were you can walk and fish. Be ready to be run off if someone decides to report you.

 

As for the pond at the Stonehenge Country Club off Midlo across from Wal-Mart, I never fished it but understand that if you ask the golf pro he may let you. Then again, I have never seen or heard of anyone fishing that pond.

 

One last place to try your luck.  Off Providence Road heading south away from Midlothian Turnpike you will see Providence Methodist Church on your left. There is a pond on the other side of their parking lot. Just park and walk to the pond and give some topwaters a shot.

 

And don't forget to go to Dick's and get the 2018 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia booklet. It has a listing of the places to fish all over Virginia.

 

Please PM with your results or court dates.

 

Thanks and good luck.

 

[Sam]

I just remembered!!! Pocahontas State Park.

 

You can rent a small boat and fish Swift Creek Lake or walk to Beaver Lake by the amphitheater.

 

You enter the park off Beach Road.

 

Check it out on Google.

[Black Bill Dance]

Man this is some excellent suggestions and advise!!! I cannot wait to check out these recommendations and try to crank out a few quality size bass.

 

What time of day is best for all the aforementioned locations? I work afternoons and evenings during the week so most likely I will be a morning and weekend fisherman.

[Sam]

16 hours ago, Black Bill Dance said:

Man this is some excellent suggestions and advise!!! I cannot wait to check out these recommendations and try to crank out a few quality size bass.

 

What time of day is best for all the aforementioned locations? I work afternoons and evenings during the week so most likely I will be a morning and weekend fisherman.

Hey, noticed you replied which is great!

 

Anytime of the day would be fine.

 

Try to get there before sunrise and start with topwaters.

 

Just go and give it a shot.

 

And let us know how you do.

[Black Bill Dance]

Sam, @Sam

I had to run by the DMV today, and since I had little time before heading into the office, so I decided to run by the places you mentioned previously just to check out the area.

 

The pond on Southlake looks very promising, will definitely put that on top of my list for some bass and crappie.

I then proceeded down the block to check out the ponds behind Friday's on Midlothian. Has anyone ever pulled anything good out of there?

 

Next on the list were the ponds at Moorefield office park behind the Sheraton Hotel. Those 3 ponds look like they can be accessed pretty easily and look good enough to make a few cast.

 

But the ponds at Arboretum looks real nice! I count 3 of them right when you get on the property, then a 4th down by the Alstom offices which look like it could be the deepest. Really would like to try my luck with these, what size bass have been pulled out of these bad boys?

 

Once again thanks for the insight

[Boxnglove]

I 2nd Swift Creek lake in Pocahontas state park. Great scenery, plenty of areas to explore and some good LMB. If you are on a budget: $6 to enter the park, I think $15 to rent a boat or kayak. 

The whole lake may be a mile and a half long. 

I live in Glen Allen , but now you have me thinking about dropping a line in Chesterfield

[Sam]

6 hours ago, Black Bill Dance said:

Sam, @Sam

I had to run by the DMV today, and since I had little time before heading into the office, so I decided to run by the places you mentioned previously just to check out the area.

 

The pond on Southlake looks very promising, will definitely put that on top of my list for some bass and crappie.

I then proceeded down the block to check out the ponds behind Friday's on Midlothian. Has anyone ever pulled anything good out of there?

 

Next on the list were the ponds at Moorefield office park behind the Sheraton Hotel. Those 3 ponds look like they can be accessed pretty easily and look good enough to make a few cast.

 

But the ponds at Arboretum looks real nice! I count 3 of them right when you get on the property, then a 4th down by the Alstom offices which look like it could be the deepest. Really would like to try my luck with these, what size bass have been pulled out of these bad boys?

 

Once again thanks for the insight

Try the pond behind Friday's. There are houses on one side which blocks that area but by the apartments you may be able to fish. Actually there is one big pond divided by a dam. But you can't cross the dam as it has an opening for the water to flow between each area.

 

Some nice bass have been pulled out of the Arboretum ponds before security runs you off. But give it a shot. No idea of what is in those ponds now.

 

Let me know how you do. Could be a good place.

 

Be safe.

[Black Bill Dance]

Definitely will. Did some more scouting and checked out the pond at Boulders office park with the apartments on the other side. Wonder if they have any quality fish.

 

@Sam have you or heard of anyone else who has fished the Rock Creek Park Lake not too far from Boulders?

[Sam]

5 hours ago, Black Bill Dance said:

Definitely will. Did some more scouting and checked out the pond at Boulders office park with the apartments on the other side. Wonder if they have any quality fish.

 

@Sam have you or heard of anyone else who has fished the Rock Creek Park Lake not too far from Boulders?

No one fishes Rock Creek Park Lake as it is too shallow.

 

But maybe you will have better luck.

 

Take a shot at the dam area.

[Graham]

Some of my favorite spots in the Midlo area: 

 

Trophy Club Apartment ponds - Located off of Polo Parkway, three small ponds, very productive, but not many of good size

 

Stony Point Apartment Ponds - Located off Huguenot and Forrest Hill (Bon-Air), Theres good ones in these ponds I've had the best luck in the back of the complex

 

Salisbury Country-club- (Sam's instructions are spot on)

 

Stonehenge Golfcourse pond- Right across from the Walmart on Midlothian Tnpk, only fished it once but wasn't hassled and they were biting

 

Pond off Lucks Lane- Super clear water with lots of grass, theres some tanks in there but I haven't had luck. Buddy pulled an 8 out on a minnow tho.

 

Most of these spots are heavily pressured, but can be fun. Pm me if you have any questions, and sorry if I repeated stuff, just wanted to list some of my personal favorite spots in the area.

 

 

On March 28, 2018 at 8:47 PM, Sam said:

Try the pond behind Friday's. There are houses on one side which blocks that area but by the apartments you may be able to fish. Actually there is one big pond divided by a dam. But you can't cross the dam as it has an opening for the water to flow between each area.

 

Some nice bass have been pulled out of the Arboretum ponds before security runs you off. But give it a shot. No idea of what is in those ponds now.

 

Let me know how you do. Could be a good place.

 

Be safe.

Last time I rode by that pond behind Friday's it was completely covered in algae.

 

Arboretum looks so juicy I worked them pretty hard one day with no luck, but good to know theres some big girls in there!

[Marvin Bikelife Banks]

You can walk across the small dam behind fridays on midlothian , I have caught a few small black crappies from behind there.

Arboretum ponds have some nice sized bass and I have seen a 13'' crappie come out the small pond closest to 288. Southlake has a decent amount of fish also , Ive caught several smaller bass from there on many occasions. The ponds behind applebees or morefield as its called also has some nice size bass in it , I have caught several 3lb and up fish from the 3rd pond from the bottom of morefield. Ive been skunked out lucks lane twice but that place is beautiful and looks promising. I bank fish the area alot when I dont have the time or energy to take my boat out and live right off arch road , Hit me up sometime , I dont mind showing you around as Ive been to all the above listed spots and have a few more of my own.

[Tonykoch]

9 hours ago, Marvin Bikelife Banks said:

You can walk across the small dam behind fridays on midlothian , I have caught a few small black crappies from behind there.

Arboretum ponds have some nice sized bass and I have seen a 13'' crappie come out the small pond closest to 288. Southlake has a decent amount of fish also , Ive caught several smaller bass from there on many occasions. The ponds behind applebees or morefield as its called also has some nice size bass in it , I have caught several 3lb and up fish from the 3rd pond from the bottom of morefield. Ive been skunked out lucks lane twice but that place is beautiful and looks promising. I bank fish the area alot when I dont have the time or energy to take my boat out and live right off arch road , Hit me up sometime , I dont mind showing you around as Ive been to all the above listed spots and have a few more of my own.

 

On 4/12/2018 at 8:01 PM, Graham said:

Some of my favorite spots in the Midlo area: 

 

Trophy Club Apartment ponds - Located off of Polo Parkway, three small ponds, very productive, but not many of good size

 

Stony Point Apartment Ponds - Located off Huguenot and Forrest Hill (Bon-Air), Theres good ones in these ponds I've had the best luck in the back of the complex

 

Salisbury Country-club- (Sam's instructions are spot on)

 

Stonehenge Golfcourse pond- Right across from the Walmart on Midlothian Tnpk, only fished it once but wasn't hassled and they were biting

 

Pond off Lucks Lane- Super clear water with lots of grass, theres some tanks in there but I haven't had luck. Buddy pulled an 8 out on a minnow tho.

 

Most of these spots are heavily pressured, but can be fun. Pm me if you have any questions, and sorry if I repeated stuff, just wanted to list some of my personal favorite spots in the area.

 

 

Last time I rode by that pond behind Friday's it was completely covered in algae.

 

Arboretum looks so juicy I worked them pretty hard one day with no luck, but good to know theres some big girls in there!

Anything in that tgi Fridays pond lol? My brother lives very close to it we talk about it sometimes, it Is small though.

Edited April 18, 2018 by Tonykoch
Wrong tag

[Black Bill Dance]

8 hours ago, Marvin Bikelife Banks said:

You can walk across the small dam behind fridays on midlothian , I have caught a few small black crappies from behind there.

Arboretum ponds have some nice sized bass and I have seen a 13'' crappie come out the small pond closest to 288. Southlake has a decent amount of fish also , Ive caught several smaller bass from there on many occasions. The ponds behind applebees or morefield as its called also has some nice size bass in it , I have caught several 3lb and up fish from the 3rd pond from the bottom of morefield. Ive been skunked out lucks lane twice but that place is beautiful and looks promising. I bank fish the area alot when I dont have the time or energy to take my boat out and live right off arch road , Hit me up sometime , I dont mind showing you around as Ive been to all the above listed spots and have a few more of my own.

That's for the reply @Marvin Bikelife Banks. I have noticed when the water is low you can skip across the d**n at the pond behind Friday's on Midlothian as well.

As I stated before, I am still exploring the waterways in South Richmond. So today I road by Lucks Lane and that is one pretty body of water right there, can't wait to try my "Luck" there. Where do you park your vehicle at if you fish that pond though? @Graham since Lucks Lane has a lot of grass, I'm guessing soft plastics is the way to go.

 

As far as the Arboretum and Moorefield ponds, what time do you recommend (mornings, evenings, weekends) and what is your bait of choice?

[Graham]

@Black Bill Dance if you continue down lucks lane towards 288 passed the pond there is a road to your right, I think it’s just a service road it dead ends, but I just park right on the side of it. There’s a trail leading through the woods from there that takes you out to the pond. Hope that helps!

[Marvin Bikelife Banks]

Ive never seen a bass come out from behind fridays , only crappie. 

As graham said follow lucks amd make the first right before 288 and walk the trail or park up at the dominion lot at the other end  I belive it is but it is a longer walk.

As for moorfield and arboretum I usually fish weekends and after business hours , I have been asked to leave arboretum this was a weekday around lunch time. I just left and came back after 5 lol

[Graham]

1 hour ago, Marvin Bikelife Banks said:

I have been asked to leave arboretum this was a weekday around lunch time. I just left and came back after 5 lol

Haha stick it to the man! After receiving a trespassing to fish ticket last season by the federal reserve building in Goochland, I try to avoid these types of situations...

[Marvin Bikelife Banks]

Yea I dontblame you I definitely would also

[Graham]

1 hour ago, Marvin Bikelife Banks said:

Yea I dontblame you I definitely would also

Man was I bummed tho! Hooked into a 5+ that jumped off and 5 minutes later the Goochland county sherif was on my tail. Had no idea I was fishing on federal property lol. And the kicker was that the sherif was a fisherman himself, he even gave me some tips as he wrote my 120$ citation!

[Marvin Bikelife Banks]

ouch , smh $120 bucks that sucks

Speaking of lucks lane its the peak institute parking lot if you dont want to park off the side of the road by 288 , I had said it was dominion power by accident.

[Marvin Bikelife Banks]

Has anyone ever caught anything at the 2 ponds off charter colony pkwy ? There is a large one behind the credit union and a smaller one that as near the intersection of charter colony and waterford that is almost next to the GE power building. That larger pond looks nice , I see a ton of no fishing signs and it seems to have been occupied the one saturday I attempted to fish there so I left and went elsewhere

[Tonykoch]

you guys ever have any luck out of that pond on lucks lane? I landed a catfish there last time I went on a bass underspin lol.