Every Boat Ramp on James River

About James River

The James River is Virginia's signature waterway, flowing 348 miles from the Appalachian Mountains through Richmond to the Chesapeake Bay, and it supports one of the finest smallmouth bass fisheries in the eastern United States. The stretch from Lynchburg through Scottsville to Richmond is world-class smallmouth water, with bronze beauties averaging 14 to 18 inches found in the river's riffles, ledges, and deep pools. The Richmond fall line section offers the unique experience of catching smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and shad within sight of the state capitol skyline.

Public boat ramps are located throughout the James River corridor, with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and local municipalities maintaining access points from the mountain headwaters to the tidal reaches near Williamsburg. Musky inhabit the upper James and have produced fish over 50 inches, establishing this section as a legitimate trophy musky destination. Flathead catfish have colonized the lower river and provide trophy fishing opportunities, with fish exceeding 60 pounds documented. The spring shad run brings millions of American and hickory shad upriver through Richmond, and striped bass follow the shad migration from the Chesapeake Bay, creating an incredible springtime convergence of fishing opportunities.

Nearest towns: Richmond, Lynchburg, Scottsville, Williamsburg