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Fishing Rappahannock River: what the data says
Remington to the Fredericksburg fall line. wild smallmouth water on Virginia's free-flowing river. The river tops out around 8 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. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Rappahannock River
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Riffle & run (mile 0.6): a rock pile around 3 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 | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Channel Catfish fishing at Rappahannock River
Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Outside-bend hole (mile 4.7): a creek channel around 6 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Rock Bass fishing at Rappahannock River
Spring rock bass on Rappahannock River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Riffle & run (mile 0.6), a rock pile in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for rock bass in spring. Plan around the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Common Carp fishing at Rappahannock River
Spring common carp on Rappahannock River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Tailout eddy (mile 28.3) is the standout, a eddy pocket at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for winter common carp. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Motts Run Reservoir Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 8.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 13.0): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 17.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 21.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 24.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 31.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 33.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 28.3): eddy pocket, around 4 ft
- Current seam (mile 2.5): current seam, around 4 ft
- Current seam (mile 14.9): current seam, around 4 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 0.6): rock pile, around 3 ft
Common questions
How deep is Rappahannock River?
Rappahannock River is about 8 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 Rappahannock River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, channel catfish, common carp, rock bass on Rappahannock River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Rappahannock River?
Riffle & run (mile 0.6) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 3 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 Rappahannock 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
Lake Brittle · Lake Orange · Shenandoah River · Lake Frederick · James River · Fluvanna Ruritan Lake
See how Rappahannock 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.