Virginia DWR rates the New alongside the James and the Rappahannock as one of the best fishing rivers in the state, and for smallmouth it is arguably the pick of the three. It is wide, rocky, ledge-strewn water running through southwest Virginia, and it holds not just excellent smallmouth but the state record muskellunge and the state record walleye.
It is also geologically odd in two ways anglers enjoy repeating: it is among the oldest rivers on Earth, and it flows north.
Quick answer: Fish the ledges, current seams and boulder pockets with a tube jig or a Ned rig, and work topwater at first light from June to September. Public ramps run the length of the river including Byllesby, Austinville and Pembroke. The bass slot is strict: no largemouth or smallmouth between 14 and 22 inches, only one per day over 22. A Virginia freshwater licence is required from 16 up.
The River
The New rises in North Carolina, crosses into Virginia, and runs north through Grayson, Carroll, Wythe, Pulaski, Montgomery and Giles counties before entering West Virginia. Claytor Lake sits in the middle of it as an impoundment, which effectively splits the river into an upper and a lower section that fish differently.
Above Claytor the river is generally shallower and more wadeable, with long shoals and ledge systems. This is classic smallmouth water and the best section for an angler on foot.
Below Claytor Dam the river is bigger, deeper and more powerful, running down through Radford, Pembroke and the Narrows toward West Virginia. This is where the big muskie live and where most float trips happen.
If you want the lake itself rather than the river, our Claytor Lake guide covers it, including the tailwater immediately below the dam.
The Regulations, Because They Are Strict
The New River carries some of the tightest black bass regulations in Virginia, and they exist to protect a genuinely special fishery. Read this before you keep anything.
Bass. From Fields Dam in Grayson County downstream to the Virginia–West Virginia state line — plus the Little River below Little River Dam, Big Walker Creek below the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge, and Wolf Creek below Narrows Dam — no largemouth or smallmouth bass between 14 and 22 inches may be kept, and only one fish per day longer than 22 inches. That is a wide protected slot covering virtually every good smallmouth in the river. In practice this is a catch-and-release fishery. Note that Claytor Lake itself is excluded from this rule and managed separately.
Muskellunge. Statewide the limit is one per day with a 40-inch minimum. On the New River from Claytor Dam downstream to the state line it is tighter still: from 1 June to the last day of February, no muskie between 40 and 48 inches; from 1 March to 31 May, no muskie under 48 inches.
Walleye. On Claytor Lake and the New River upstream to Fries Dam in Grayson County, two per day with no walleye between 19 and 28 inches.
These limits are revised, and the geographic boundaries matter. Which rule applies depends on exactly which stretch you are standing in, and the boundaries are defined by dams and tributary confluences rather than anything obvious on the water. Check the current regulations with Virginia DWR for the specific section you plan to fish.
What Swims Here
| Species | Where | Best Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth bass | Ledges, seams, boulders | Mar–May, Jul–Sept | The most abundant black bass here |
| Muskellunge | Deep pools, below the dam | Autumn–spring | State record came from the lower New |
| Walleye | Deeper runs, upstream | Feb–May | State record from the upper New |
| Rock bass | Rocky cover everywhere | May–Sept | Eats the same lures as smallmouth |
| Redbreast sunfish | Shallows and edges | May–Sept | Excellent for kids |
| Channel & flathead catfish | Deep pools | Summer | Reliable evening fishing |
| Largemouth bass | Slow backwaters | Spring, summer | Incidental |
The two state records are worth noting because they tell you what this river is capable of. The Virginia muskellunge record — a fish of 45 pounds 8 ounces — came out of the lower New in June 2007. The state walleye record, just under 16 pounds, came from the upper New.
Access and Floats
DWR maintains boat ramps along the length of the river, with newer facilities at Byllesby, Austinville and Pembroke among others. DWR also publishes a float guide map showing the public access points, which is the resource worth having before planning a trip.
Floating is the better way to fish it. Like the Shenandoah, the New spreads its good water thinly over long distances, and covering it from the bank means walking past most of it. A canoe, kayak or raft with a shuttle lets you fish several miles properly in a day.
Wading works at low summer flows, particularly on the upper river above Claytor where shoals and ledges are shallow enough to walk. Pick a landing and work up or down from it.
This is a big, powerful river with real hazards. Sections of the New carry serious whitewater, and flows below Claytor Dam change with generation. Know the stretch you are floating before you commit to it, check levels, wear a life jacket, and never float unfamiliar water alone. Confirm current landing locations and conditions with DWR — access inventories change.
How to Fish It
River smallmouth tactics here are the same ones that work on the James, the Shenandoah and the Potomac — the New simply has more water and bigger average fish.
Tube jig. A 3 to 4 inch tube in green pumpkin or brown, cast upstream and worked back along the bottom with the current. Most takes come on the fall as it drops off a ledge.
Ned rig. For low, clear, late-summer water and pressured fish. A small stickbait on a light mushroom head, fished slowly.
Topwater at first light. June through September, a walking bait or popper over a shallow ledge in the first hour of daylight is the most enjoyable fishing the river offers.
Crayfish colours. Crayfish are the primary forage, which is why brown, olive and green pumpkin dominate. Match it.
For muskie, large jerkbaits and crankbaits worked through deep pools, mostly below Claytor Dam, on heavy tackle with a leader. Autumn through early spring.
For walleye, small jigs tipped with minnows in the deeper runs, best February through May around the spawn.
Light line. Eight to ten pound test on a medium or medium-light spinning rod. The water is clearer than it looks. Our line guide covers the choice.
Season by Season
Spring (March–May). Prime. Smallmouth are pre-spawn and at their heaviest, walleye run, and the river is full. Flows can be high — check levels before floating.
Summer (June–September). Low, clear and wadeable. Topwater at dawn, tubes and Ned rigs through the day. The most comfortable time to be on the river and the best window for fishing on foot.
Autumn (October–November). Excellent and quiet. Fish feed hard, average size climbs, and the muskie season gets going as water cools.
Winter (December–February). Slow for bass, which hold deep and barely move, but this is the muskie window and walleye begin staging toward the end of it.
For more Virginia river smallmouth, see our Shenandoah guide, our James River guide in Richmond, and our Potomac guide in Northern Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you keep smallmouth bass on the New River?
Mostly no. From Fields Dam in Grayson County down to the Virginia-West Virginia state line, no largemouth or smallmouth bass between 14 and 22 inches may be kept, and only one fish per day over 22 inches. That protected slot covers virtually every good smallmouth in the river, so in practice it fishes as catch-and-release. Claytor Lake is excluded and managed separately.
What fish are in the New River in Virginia?
Smallmouth bass are the most abundant black bass, alongside muskellunge, walleye, rock bass, redbreast sunfish, channel and flathead catfish, and incidental largemouth. Virginia's state record muskellunge came from the lower New River and the state record walleye came from the upper New.
Where can you access the New River in Virginia?
Virginia DWR maintains boat ramps along the length of the river, including facilities at Byllesby, Austinville and Pembroke. DWR also publishes a float guide map showing public access points, which is the best resource for planning a float. Wading is practical at low summer flows, particularly on the upper river above Claytor Lake.
Is the New River good for smallmouth fishing?
Yes — Virginia DWR rates it alongside the James and Rappahannock as one of the best fishing rivers in the state, and for smallmouth it is arguably the best of the three. The combination of extensive ledge structure, strong forage and a wide protected slot limit produces both numbers and size.
Why does the New River flow north?
The New predates the Appalachian Mountains — it is among the oldest rivers on Earth. It held its course while the mountains rose around it, which is why it cuts northward across the ranges rather than following the usual eastward drainage of other rivers on this side of the continent.
What is the muskie size limit on the New River?
On the New River from Claytor Dam downstream to the state line, no muskellunge between 40 and 48 inches may be kept from 1 June to the last day of February, and from 1 March to 31 May no muskie under 48 inches may be kept. The daily limit is one. Statewide the rule is one per day at a 40-inch minimum. Confirm current limits with DWR before keeping a fish.
