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Fishing James River: what the data says
Scottsville to Richmond. Virginia's river: ledge smallmouth, giant flatheads and a real muskie fishery. The river tops out around 15 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at James River
Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 5 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Cartersville ledges: a rock pile around 5 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 5 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Flathead Catfish fishing at James River
Start shallow in spring: flathead catfish sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 15 ft, and winter fish hold in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Tailout eddy (mile 12.1): a eddy pocket around 8 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | night & dusk | |
| Summer | 4 to 15 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | night & dusk | |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday |
Blue Catfish fishing at James River
In spring, blue catfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 15 ft. Summer fish stay in 4 to 15 ft, and winter fish hold in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Outside-bend hole (mile 10.0): a creek channel around 11 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 4 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday |
Muskellunge fishing at James River
Start shallow in spring: muskellunge sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 5 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Cartersville ledges: a rock pile around 5 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. A double-10 bucktail or a topwater (walk-the-dog / creeper) covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | Smaller bucktail (#8 blades), 6" glide bait |
| Summer | 5 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Double-10 bucktail, Topwater (walk-the-dog / creeper) |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday & dusk | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), 10"+ glide bait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Large rubber, crawled slow |
Channel Catfish fishing at James River
Spring channel catfish on James River hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 5 to 15 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 10.0), a creek channel in about 11 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 5 to 15 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 5 to 15 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday |
Longnose Gar fishing at James River
Start shallow in spring: longnose gar sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 1 to 12 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 10.0) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 11 ft, rated prime for fall longnose gar. Plan around midday and the evening in the warm months. A rope lure or a small white spinner covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday | Rope lure (hookless nylon), Inline spinner (slow) |
| Summer | 1 to 12 ft | midday & dusk | Rope lure, Small white spinner |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday | Rope lure, Small jerkbait (pause-heavy) |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday |
James River also holds common carp (3 to 15 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Notable structure
- Solite Corporation Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Reed Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Leon Hanson Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Virginia State Farm Dam Number Three tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- United Methodist Centers Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Mink Creek Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Bolling Hall Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Obrien Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Virginia Industrial School Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 13 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 10.0): creek channel, around 11 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 18.0): creek channel, around 11 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 25.8): creek channel, around 11 ft
Common questions
How deep is James River?
James River is about 15 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in James River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, channel catfish, muskellunge, flathead catfish, blue catfish, common carp, longnose gar on James River.
Where is the best fishing spot on James River?
Cartersville ledges is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish James River?
For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Fluvanna Ruritan Lake · Lake Nottoway · Horsepen Lake · Lake Orange · Briery Creek Lake · Rappahannock River
See how James River stacks up: best channel catfish lakes in Virginia · best common carp lakes in Virginia
Browse all Virginia fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.