Best longnose gar lakes in Virginia
6 Virginia waters hold longnose gar, 5 mapped with real state-agency depth surveys. Ranked below by size and depth-data quality — open any water to see exactly where to fish it: depth contours, scored spots with plain-English reasons, seasonal windows and bait picks. Prehistoric surface predator of warm backwaters. A summer sight-fishing riot on rope lures.
- James River — 15 ft max · Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Muskellunge, Flathead Catfish
- North Landing River — 18 ft max · survey depth data · Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish
- Southern Branch Elizabeth River — 60 ft max · survey depth data · Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish
- Elizabeth River — 67 ft max · survey depth data · Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish
- North River — 29 ft max · survey depth data · Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish
- Little Wicomico River — 19 ft max · survey depth data · Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish
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When to fish longnose gar in Virginia
- Spring 2–10 ft — Fish gather in warm shallow backwaters ahead of the spawn.
- Summer 1–12 ft — Look for fish rolling on the surface in slack water — cast past and drag through.
- Fall 4–15 ft — Following bait into deeper slack water as temps fall.
- Winter 10–25 ft — Wintering in deep, still holes.
Also in Virginia: best largemouth bass lakes · best smallmouth bass lakes · best walleye lakes · best crappie lakes · best bluegill lakes · best channel catfish lakes · best muskellunge lakes · best striped bass lakes · best flathead catfish lakes · best blue catfish lakes · best common carp lakes · best white perch lakes
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