Paddle and Fish the Rivers, Runs and Lakes of

New River

Considered one of the top smallmouth bass rivers in the country, the 37 miles of the New River that run through the county are a premier freshwater fishing cache. With 17 public and private access points along the New River Water Trail, you can stay on the water all day as you look for bass, muskellunge, walleye, and more. The Water Trail offers access to activities like swimming, rafting, and SUP, and also connects with hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and local lodging and dining options.

Big and Little Stony Creek

Perfect your fly fishing skills on some of the most well-stocked streams in Virginia. Originating in Jefferson National Forest, Big Stony Creek is a six mile long, freestone stream that hosts an excellent environment for trout to thrive. Cherokee Flats is a popular fishing spot on the creek, and is accessible for wheelchairbound anglers with a paved trail and metal ramp. Little Stony Creek is a small but notable tributary of Big Stony Creek that yields a great population of wild brook trout. Connect with New River Outdoor Co . and Tangent Outfitters for locally guided fishing trip options and expert advice, so you can make the most out of your visit!

Après Fish

Fill up on local delights at the end of a long day, like beef brisket and hush puppies from Bluegrass BBQ , fresh baked sweets and delicious coffee drinks at Sugar + Flour , a rotating menu and specialty drinks from The Bad Apple , or stone-oven pizza from The Palisades Restaurant . The Inn at Riverbend is a lodging option just off the New River with scenic mountain and river views, delicious gourmet breakfasts, and easy access to your outdoor adventures. New River Outdoor Co. can offer up their well appointed cabins for your fishing group or next family vacation based along Walker Creek, a tributary of the New River. Soak up the waters and scenery of Virginia’s Mountain Playground, Giles County, when you plan your next fishing getaway.

VirginiasMtnPlayground.com

Head to the New River to break some records! Current Virginia state records that have been caught in the New River include muskellunge (45 lbs. 8 oz.), smallmouth bass (8 lbs. 1 oz.), and walleye (15 lbs. 15 oz.).

WV

Kayaking, canoeing, or floating? Spinning or fly fishing? Hardy County, WV offers seasonally gentle or whitewater rivers, as well as lakes and mountain runs waiting to be fished. Tributaries wind down the mountain slopes feeding Hardy County’s rivers, offering some of the best paddling and fishing in West Virginia.

Fed by the North Fork and South Fork , the South Branch of the Potomac River is a favorite for fishing or floating. You can rent kayaks and canoes for paddling or fishing the South Branch from Breezewood Adventures. They also offer a variety of river trips with shuttle service and host private camping trips featuring water-front sites. When paddling the South Branch, the Trough should definitely be a destination. This historic six-mile gorge features towering rock walls that can only be accessed by water. Known for its great bass fishing and abundance of rainbow, brown, and brook trout, you can also watch bald eagles soar overhead.

Hanging Rock is a favorite casting spot on the 30-mile Lost River . Disappearing underground at Lost River Sinks, the river emerges as the Cacapon River . Flowing north through two more counties to the Potomac River, the Cacapon is a great distance paddling river. The Cacapon and its tributaries are known for their brook trout habitats and nearby Warden Lake offers easily accessible fishing. The longest grass carp on record

(53.1”) was landed at Warden Lake in 2021. North River flows east from its headwaters at 3000 feet and skirts the northern boundary of Hardy County before turning north and joining the confluence of the Cacapon. Like so many of the mountain runs and man-made lakes, the North is stocked throughout the season. Upper Cove, Kimsey Run, and Parker Hollow Lakes are well known fishing spots with Parker Hollow’s submerged, standing trees creating great fish habitat.

Trout Pond Recreation Area is also home to excellent fishing. At times not more than a large puddle, Trout Pond is the only natural lake in West Virginia. The nearby 17acre Rockcliff Lake offers a tranquil setting for canoeing, a beach area for swimming, and incredible fishing from the river’s tree-lined shore or by boat. Channel catfish, largemouth bass, and trout are regularly caught at Rockcliff but, while night fishing is permitted, there are special boating and fishing limit regulations. Come for the day but plan to stay the night at one of Hardy County’s inns, B&Bs, and vacation cabins, or at a traditional hotel or motel. Find a complete list of accommodations, restaurants, and shopping, plus river access points and trail maps at VisitHardyWV com.