Shenandoah River
The Shenandoah River is a historic Virginia river known for smallmouth bass. Minutes from our fly shop, this watershed holds our favorite smallmouth, largemouth, musky, and carp fishing.
- SpeciesSmallmouth, largemouth, musky, carp
- Water typeSlow river with ledges
- RegulationsFreshwater license
- Best seasonsSmallmouth April to September
- LocationMinutes from the shop
Overview
On the Shenandoah River anglers can catch good numbers of bass on a good day. Along with smallmouth, there are also Florida strain largemouth, musky, carp, catfish, and various other gamefish.
Anglers can typically fish the Shenandoah River year round. Peak smallmouth bass fishing occurs April through September and good musky fishing can be found through the fall and winter months. We target the large carp once water temps hit the 50’s in the spring time and sight fish for them well into fall.
The Shenandoah is a relatively ‘lazy’ river with very few big rapids. Most of the river is slow flowing with small ledge riffles and runs.
Written in the original “50 Places to Fly Fish Before You Die”, the Shenandoah is a good river to fish for bass, carp, or musky. If you aren’t a ‘do-it-yourself’ kind of angler, give us a call about a guided float.
Access and Directions
It is safe to run the entire length of the Shenandoah River in a canoe or raft. Water levels can get very low in the summer time making navigation with drift boats difficult. Power boats can access areas above dams on the Shenandoah. Access points and float descriptions can be found on the Virginia DWR website.
Directions from Mossy Creek Fly Fishing
- The South Fork lies to the East of Mossy Creek Fly Fishing shop in Harrisonburg, VA. The quickest access is out 33 East to Island Ford Road or straight into Elkton.
- More access can be easily found on the Virginia DWR website.
A Virginia Freshwater Fishing License is required to fish the Shenandoah River and its tributaries.
A Virginia DWR fishing license is required. See the DWR Shenandoah River page and fishing regulations for current rules.
Fish it with us
Book one of our guided float trips for smallmouth, musky and carp, or take one of our fly fishing classes. Shop bass flies and topwater flies for the river.