How to use our fishing calendar
Planning your next fishing trip in Richmond, United States ? Today is a good day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, nearby tide chart, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...
- Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
- Use the Tide Clock section to sync bite times with high and low tide chart.
- Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
- Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.
Richmond, Virginia offers diverse fishing opportunities on the tidal James River, urban impoundments, and nearby reservoirs, making it a prime destination for anglers in Central Virginia. From trophy blue catfish and hard-fighting smallmouth bass in downtown rapids to stocked trout in park lakes, Richmond fishing combines big-city access with surprisingly wild, productive water. read more...
Some of the best fishing spots near Richmond include: James River, Belle Isle, Deep Bottom Park, Lake Chesdin, Swift Creek Reservoir, Chickahominy River, Appomattox River, etc. see full list
Sun and Moon Times
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Nautical Twilight begins:Sunrise:
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Sunset:Nautical Twilight ends:
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Moonrise:
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Moonset:
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Moon over:
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Moon under:
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Visibility:17%
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Waxing Crescent
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Distance to earth:371,759 kmProximity:79.7 %
Moon Phases for Richmond
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good Day
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major Time:03:09 am - 05:09 am
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minor Time:08:40 am - 10:40 am
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major Time:03:45 pm - 05:45 pm
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minor Time:10:50 pm - 12:50 am
Tides Times for Fishing: Thu, 18 Jun
Tide Clock
Tide Graph
Times
| Tide | Time | Height |
|---|---|---|
| low | 01:59 am | 0.23 ft |
| high | 07:11 am | 4.17 ft |
| low | 02:46 pm | 0.03 ft |
| high | 07:52 pm | 3.74 ft |
Current Fishing Weather
Wind Speed and Direction
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction and Speed are one of the most important aspects for choosing a fishing spot. An offshore wind can help land-based anglers with longer casting distances, while an onshore wind will make kayak fishing safer. Often fish will also move to certain feeding areas depending on the wind direction. Check out the long term wind forecast at the charts below.
Fishing Barometer
Atmospheric Pressure:
Change since midnight:
Trend for next 6 hours:
Atmospheric or Barometric Pressure affects fish activity. The best fishing can be had on a rising barometer and also the time just before it is falling. A steady barometer in the higher ranges can also mean good fishing. A falling or low barometer reading without much change is usually not a very good time for fishing.
UV Effect on Fishing
As a rule of thumb, the higher the UV index, the deeper fish will move. Shallow water fishing is best done at times with a low UV index. When the UV is high, stick to early mornings, late evenings and shaded areas. The effect is less noticable in deeper water, but often a higher UV index can produce good results in the deep.
7 Day Fishing Weather
| Date | Major Bite Times | Minor Bite Times | Sun | Moon | Moonphase | Tide Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Crescent |
low:
, 0.23 ft
high:
, 4.3 ft
, Coeff: 146
low:
, -0 ft
high:
, 3.71 ft
, Coeff: 115
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|
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-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Crescent |
low:
, 0.23 ft
high:
, 4.17 ft
, Coeff: 139
low:
, 0.03 ft
high:
, 3.74 ft
, Coeff: 117
|
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Crescent |
low:
, 0.26 ft
high:
, 4 ft
, Coeff: 130
low:
, 0.07 ft
high:
, 3.77 ft
, Coeff: 118
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-
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
low:
, 0.33 ft
high:
, 3.81 ft
, Coeff: 120
low:
, 0.16 ft
high:
, 3.81 ft
, Coeff: 120
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-
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-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
low:
, 0.39 ft
high:
, 3.64 ft
, Coeff: 111
low:
, 0.23 ft
high:
, 3.84 ft
, Coeff: 122
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-
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-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
low:
, 0.46 ft
high:
, 3.48 ft
, Coeff: 103
low:
, 0.33 ft
high:
, 3.87 ft
, Coeff: 123
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-
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
low:
, 0.49 ft
high:
, 3.35 ft
, Coeff: 96
low:
, 0.43 ft
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-
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Gibbous |
high:
, 3.9 ft
, Coeff: 125
low:
, 0.49 ft
high:
, 3.25 ft
, Coeff: 91
low:
, 0.49 ft
|
Fishing Overview Richmond
Fishing in Richmond, VA centers on the James River, a nationally known fishery running right through downtown, backed up by a network of park ponds and nearby reservoirs. Anglers can target giant blue catfish, river smallmouth, and spring shad within minutes of the city, with year-round bank and boat access plus excellent kayak water.
Seasonally, Richmond fishing follows the James River’s flow, temperature, and tide patterns. Late winter into early spring is prime time for trophy blue catfish; slow currents and cold water concentrate big fish in deep outside bends and channel edges. March–May, American and hickory shad push upriver toward the fall line around the Richmond Pipeline and downtown bridges, drawing in striped bass and aggressive white perch. By late spring and summer, smallmouth and largemouth bass action picks up in the riffles, ledges, and wood cover from Bosher’s Dam through the urban rapids, while night-fishing for catfish stays productive in the tidal stretches below the city. Fall brings a strong bite for bass, crappie, and perch as baitfish school up in creek mouths and along rock edges.
Richmond’s water is a mix of tidal river, rocky shoals, and still-water ponds. Above the fall line, the James is a classic smallmouth river with boulder gardens, ledges, and deep pockets; target current seams, eddies behind rock piles, and undercut banks. In the tidal stretch below downtown, expect deeper channels, mud flats, and drop-offs—ideal for big blue cats, gar, and stripers when salinity and flow are right. City and county parks offer additional options: lakes like Shields Lake, Bryan Park, and nearby county ponds hold bass, crappie, sunfish, and stocked trout in cooler months.
Techniques should match both season and section of river. For blue catfish, most local anglers rely on cut bait—fresh gizzard shad, alewife, or menhaden—fished on fish-finder rigs with 3–8 oz sinkers to hold bottom on the tide. Focus on channel edges, deep bends, and the downstream side of bridge pilings. For the shad run, small shad darts, spoons, and 1/16–1/8 oz jigheads in chartreuse, pink, and gold, fished on light spinning or fly tackle, excel when cast slightly upstream and worked through the current seams.
For bass around Richmond, soft plastic craws, tubes, and ned rigs in natural green and brown tones produce consistently in the rocky upper river, while spinnerbaits and squarebill crankbaits shine around stained, higher water. In summer, work topwater walkers and poppers early and late along shoreline grass, laydowns, and current breaks. Crappie and perch relate to brush piles, submerged timber, and dock pilings in the slower stretches and ponds; 1/32–1/16 oz jigs tipped with small plastics or minnows are reliable producers.
Richmond is highly bank-fishable—bridges, riverside parks, and greenways give access to productive water without a boat. For boats and kayaks, launch near downtown to fish the fall line or downstream ramps to probe deeper tidal holes. Pay close attention to river levels, tide charts, and water clarity; small shifts in flow can reposition fish on the James River, and timing your trip around stable water and key tide phases dramatically improves catch rates.
The Best Fishing Spots around Richmond
James River
Belle Isle
Deep Bottom Park
Lake Chesdin
Swift Creek Reservoir
Chickahominy River
Appomattox River
Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Richmond area
We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Richmond. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.
Upper Sheilds Lake Dam - 1.97796410393km , Vepco Flash Board Dam - 2.72796883492km , Hollywood Power Plant Dam - 2.81262314912km , Browns Island - 2.81323369279km , Byrd Park Canal Dam - 2.97710354679km , Bacons Quarter Branch - 3.29437003976km , Mayos Island - 3.60321162692km , Powhite Creek - 3.86334368737km , Walker Creek - 4.26690552885km , Williams Island Dam - 4.3825056023km , Youngs Pond Dam - 4.95991211575km , Jordans Branch - 4.98159024036km , Gillie Creek - 5.16241248333km , Williams Island - 5.52651661379km , Trumpet Branch - 6.02558124898km , Almond Creek - 6.71331015082km , North Run - 6.84796260037km , Little Westham Creek - 6.88632096071km , University Commons Dam - 7.27034352395km , Flippen Creek - 7.27651998215km , Lake Page Dam - 7.45385356168km , Three Chopt Estate Dam - 7.554362582km , Broad Rock Creek - 7.60870666492km , Upham Brook - 7.75305955951km , Horse Creek - 7.83173328021km , Thorpe Branch - 7.85771990313km , Rock Creek Park Dam - 8.52885921083km , Westham Creek - 8.87756269044km , Gillies Creek Dam - 9.08362973351km , Bosher Dam - 10.18891018366km , Brandy Branch - 10.31068812617km , Falling Creek Filtration Plant Dam - 10.40354460022km , Lake Cherokee Dam - 10.46305654636km , East Branch Tuckahoe Creek - 10.58708739631km , Hobby Hill Dam - 10.93071654365km , Pocoshock Creek - 11.14372365863km , Hungary Creek - 11.16190281858km , Westbury Lake Dam - 11.50852507403km , Spray Dam - 11.77969520118km , Napiers and Savage Dam - 11.81841869896km
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