Public access ponds in and around Far West End (VA)

[Bobby Courtney]

Hey all, I’m located out in the far west-end if Henrico County in central Virginia and am getting sick of seeing “no fishing” and “residences and their guests only” posted at what seems like virtually every pond/lake I’ve found on google. I understand this area is well developed but not too familiar with the waters around the area and am trying to get into fishing with the quarantine and this free time but it’s super discouraging not being able to properly fish. I’m aware of public parks like Crump and Deep Run Park but they’re so flooded with other fishers that regardless of worms, jigs, and other baits I can’t even get nibbles.

 

Anyone out there with some advice on less populated/visited ponds/lakes within about a 25 mile radius or so of the Short Pump area? I’m currently restrained to bank fishing only but have been getting closer and closer to buying a kayak since I’m seeing them on sale closer to $150-175 but don’t want to purchase if not necessary/no place to use it.

 

I’m willing to travel probably 30-45 minutes, maybe further if the fishing is good. I’m not looking for an absolute gold mine but I’ve resorted to walking wider creeks cause I can’t find places with public access.

 

I’ve only ever caught Bass and catfish but would love to expand past to other fish as well but have zero knowledge on any of that or friends with knowledge on them either.

[Sam]

Bobby, please do two things first:

1.  Go onto the Introduction page and introduce yourself, etc.

2.  Go to Dick's, Green Top or BPS and get a few copies of the free 2020 Virginia G&IF Fishing in Virginia booklet.

 

Pick up two or three copies and keep them handy at home and in the car.

 

Check out the geographical places to fish in the booklet with emphasis on Hanover, Henrico, Powhatan and Goochland counties.

 

You can find each one of the locations listed on Google maps and how to get to them.

 

I would tell you about them but i can't find my booklet. Must be in the cabinet with the boat's stuff in the garage.

 

And last, stay on this site. Don't post and run. We have lots of local guys who can give you suggestions and places to fish. Like Wdycrankbait who got skunked at Southlake off Midlothian Turnpike today. Or Black Bill Dance who knows where to go and what to throw. (Look up Southlake Boulevard on Google maps to see the big pond)

 

Looking forward to reading about your adventures and help providing you information to be the best bass fisherman you can be.

[Sam]

Bobby, there are other places i can give you suggestions to fish, such as the Powhatan Lakes and ponds.

 

Try searching this site for Richmond, VA fishing locations or something like that to find older posts about this topic. I have provided a lot of information in the past to others and it is somewhere on the Forum.

 

Don't forget Maymont's three ponds. Two are OK and one is not. 

 

Big pond behind the old Martin's store at the corner of Huguenot and Stony Point Roads. Although there are no trespassing signs everyone fishes the place.

 

 

[heyitskirby]

On 5/2/2020 at 7:05 PM, Sam said:

Bobby, there are other places i can give you suggestions to fish, such as the Powhatan Lakes and ponds.

Has fishing picked up at Powhatan Lakes?  Having moved 1000 miles south I haven't fished there in a few years and my dad quit going over there since we parked the boat at River's Rest 5 years ago.

 

Powhatan Ponds is definitely a great place for bank fishing, just check for ticks afterwards.

[Sam]

Just now, heyitskirby said:

Has fishing picked up at Powhatan Lakes?  Having moved 1000 miles south I haven't fished there in a few years and my dad quit going over there since we parked the boat at River's Rest 5 years ago.

 

Powhatan Ponds is definitely a great place for bank fishing, just check for ticks afterwards.

Kirby, yes, the lakes are back 100% and although you may need a kayak to get around you can fish from the pier in the lower lake and catch some small bass and lots of bream. 

 

I think River's Rest has been purchased and there are plans to build apartments or condos in the large field. That would cut into bass tournaments going out of River's Rest.

 

Add to it the plans to tear up the Route 5 park for a water pumping system and our access to the Chick will be limited.

 

Time will tell.

[hokie_murph]

Just buy a kayak, if you continue to bank fish you are just going to run in to the same headaches over and over. I went through the exact same process as you. I am telling you, you will be much happier getting skunked at the state park or Powhatan lakes paddling around being in nature rather than walking around some trash pond at an office complex. 

Edited May 4, 2020 by hokie_murph
adding on

[heyitskirby]

2 hours ago, Sam said:

Kirby, yes, the lakes are back 100% and although you may need a kayak to get around you can fish from the pier in the lower lake and catch some small bass and lots of bream. 

 

I think River's Rest has been purchased and there are plans to build apartments or condos in the large field. That would cut into bass tournaments going out of River's Rest.

 

Add to it the plans to tear up the Route 5 park for a water pumping system and our access to the Chick will be limited.

 

Time will tell.

I knew about the sale, not sure I knew about the apartments, which would stink because that field is where the boat lives in the winter.  

 

My dad put the boat back in the water this past weekend (luckily Charlie lives close and is still willing to help him out) and told me the restaurant is open again, motel renovation is currently suspended due to the economy (which I imagine would do the same to the apartments), and the dock renovation is on-hold due to some endangered plant.

[Sam]

Finally, and endangered plant worth something!!!!

[Otis85]

I was actually in your neck of the woods this past Sunday. Get your map app up and look over at Nuckols road near Wyndham Forest Drive. There’s 2 ponds there. I didn’t stay long because I was scoping out the area for more ponds to fish. 
 

Also look on Cox road. Behind Innsbrook after hours there’s a pond there. There’s also 2 more ponds as you make your way down Cox road towards Broad Street. 
 

All of above ponds are very close in distance so you have a few choices without driving very far. 

[Otis85]

I was also told about some kind of park on Ridgefield Parkway, but I didn’t see a name. When you look on the map there’s a dock on a creek. But I’ve never gone so I can’t say for sure. 
 

i also found a place near 288 and Patterson Avenue. West Creek Parkway. Not far from Ridgefield. I think someone on here mentioned it in another thread.

[Sam]

7 hours ago, Otis85 said:

I was actually in your neck of the woods this past Sunday. Get your map app up and look over at Nuckols road near Wyndham Forest Drive. There’s 2 ponds there. I didn’t stay long because I was scoping out the area for more ponds to fish. 
 

Also look on Cox road. Behind Innsbrook after hours there’s a pond there. There’s also 2 more ponds as you make your way down Cox road towards Broad Street. 
 

All of above ponds are very close in distance so you have a few choices without driving very far. 

Lake Rooty behind the office buildings on the other side of Nuchols Road in Innsbrook.

 

At one time it was a great place to fish but since they drained it down low and cleaned it up a number of years ago I have not heard of anyone catching anything.

 

The other large ponds are on Cox Road in Innsbrook and I have no idea if there are fish in them. But you can give them a try.

 

Wyndham subdivision allows only residents to fish but you can take a chance and fish it until they ask you to leave, if they do. 

 

 

[Otis85]

I’ve had decent luck on the bigger of the two ponds that split Nuckols road. I’ve only been able to catch bass in a small area of the pond. There were a few other people spread out around the pond and they weren’t catching anything. 
 

[Sam]

1 hour ago, Otis85 said:

I’ve had decent luck on the bigger of the two ponds that split Nuckols road. I’ve only been able to catch bass in a small area of the pond. There were a few other people spread out around the pond and they weren’t catching anything. 
 

Yep, that's Lake Rooty.

 

Used to be a fun place to fish but since it was "improved" it seems the bass are not as active or plentiful as in the past.

[Bobby Courtney]

8 hours ago, Sam said:

Yep, that's Lake Rooty.

 

Used to be a fun place to fish but since it was "improved" it seems the bass are not as active or plentiful as in the past.

Yeah, I hit up Lake Rooty randomly if I feel like sticking closer to home and don't feel like traveling to a creek. I've only caught 2 small bass (probably 1-2 pounds each). I know its got a bunch of Sunfish and Blue gills over by the concrete squared portion in the corners but other than that get skunked often there. And it frequently has other people rotating the banks as well.

[Sam]

9 hours ago, Bobby Courtney said:

Yeah, I hit up Lake Rooty randomly if I feel like sticking closer to home and don't feel like traveling to a creek. I've only caught 2 small bass (probably 1-2 pounds each). I know its got a bunch of Sunfish and Blue gills over by the concrete squared portion in the corners but other than that get skunked often there. And it frequently has other people rotating the banks as well.

X2

 

So when is the wedding??????

[Bobby Courtney]

On 5/7/2020 at 7:36 AM, Sam said:

X2

 

So when is the wedding??????

Good question with the pandemic going on. we were looking at March 2021. Didn't realize it would just port over my facebook picture lol

[Sam]

5 hours ago, Bobby Courtney said:

Good question with the pandemic going on. we were looking at March 2021. Didn't realize it would just port over my facebook picture lol

Congrats. 

 

You should be good for March of 2021.

 

Great picture!!!!

[heyitskirby]

On 5/4/2020 at 3:29 PM, Sam said:

Finally, and endangered plant worth something!!!!

It's actually kind of bad.  When I helped him get the boat out of the water back around Thanksgiving last year the dock was in pretty bad shape, riddled with holes and broken planks.

[Sam]

2 hours ago, heyitskirby said:

It's actually kind of bad.  When I helped him get the boat out of the water back around Thanksgiving last year the dock was in pretty bad shape, riddled with holes and broken planks.

Kirby, is this River's Rest?

 

[heyitskirby]

On 5/8/2020 at 7:30 PM, Sam said:

Kirby, is this River's Rest?

 

Yes.  

[Sam]

On 5/8/2020 at 7:30 PM, Sam said:

Kirby, is this River's Rest?

 

Wow! River's Rest, formerly Helen's, was always a great spot to have a tournament blast off or just to launch your boat to hit the Chick.

 

I guess the former owners let it deteriorate and that is why it was sold.

 

My club would rather blast off at Morris Creek and head to the Historic James River and fish the cypress trees in the Upper Chipoakes creek or go 65 MPH to race to the dam. So I have not been to Rivers Rest in at least five years.

 

If the Route 5 park is closed due to the county's new water pump program we would consider using Rivers Rest  but now we may have to blast off at Roc-A-Hock if Rivers Rest is not in good condition.

 

Thanks for the info.

[heyitskirby]

On 5/10/2020 at 10:00 AM, Sam said:

Wow! River's Rest, formerly Helen's, was always a great spot to have a tournament blast off or just to launch your boat to hit the Chick.

 

I guess the former owners let it deteriorate and that is why it was sold.

 

My club would rather blast off at Morris Creek and head to the Historic James River and fish the cypress trees in the Upper Chipoakes creek or go 65 MPH to race to the dam. So I have not been to Rivers Rest in at least five years.

 

If the Route 5 park is closed due to the county's new water pump program we would consider using Rivers Rest  but now we may have to blast off at Roc-A-Hock if Rivers Rest is not in good condition.

 

Thanks for the info.

I would go take a look at it before making a decision.  I'm not sure what the dock looks like at the ramp (that small section to the right if you're looking at the water), I'm just speaking to the conditions of the dock/slips.  

[Sam]

If we are considering it as a blast off and weigh-in location I will do a recon first. 

 

Thanks for the information.

[G3x]

Live in the east highland Springs area in rva and I’m looking for some spots to try my lures before it gets too cold don’t have to be a golden spot but where I can at least grab a 3 pounder. Lmk