Fishing

Virginia Marine Resources Commission oversees saltwater sites, regulations, and licensing.

Suggested Fishing Locations

• Pleasure House Point Natural Area​ | Provides access to Pleasure House Creek, Crab Creek, and the Lynnhaven River. Ample parking is available along Marlin Bay Drive.
• Little Island​ Fishing Pier (ADA Accessible) | Offers fishing access to the Atlantic Ocean. No license on the pier is needed, but a saltwater license is required for the beach. The surf fishing area is located on the beach toward the southern border with Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Fishing is not permitted from the beach within 200 yards of the pier. ​Ample parking is available.
• Lake Windsor (Mount Trashmore Park) | Fishing access is limited, but ample parking is available at Mount Trashmore Park. ​​
• Croatan Beach Park | Provides fishing access to the Atlantic Ocean. Ample parking is available in the parking lot off Vanderbilt Ave. Fishing is not permitted near individuals in the water.
• Lynnhaven Boat and Beach Facility | Offers fishing access to the Lynnhaven River. Ample on-site parking is available.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources​ oversees freshwater sites, regulations, and licensing.

Suggested Fishing Locations

• Stumpy Lake Natural Area (ADA Accessible) | Offers access to Stumpy Lake. Ample parking is available at the fishing pier and near the canoe/kayak launch.
• Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area (ADA Accessible) | Offers fishing access to Lake Smith and Lake Lawson. Ample parking is available on-site.
• Birchwood Malibu Park | Fishing access to the neighborhood pond is available, but parking is limited.
• ​Lake Trashmore (Mount Trashmore Park) (ADA Accessible) | Fishing access to Lake Trashmore with ample parking at Mount Trashmore Park. Boating is not permitted.
• Munden Point Park | Ample fishing access to the North Landing River. Parking is available on-site.
• Pembroke Meadows Lake Park | Shoreline fishing to the lake is available.
• Chesapeake Beach Park | Provides limited fishing access to Lake Pleasure House. Limited parking along Beaufort Ave. and on-street parallel parking on Lauderdale Ave.​
  

Many of the above waterways have a Fish Consumption Advisory/Restriction associated with them according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Canoe and Kayak Sites

The following are recommended sites for fishing from a canoe or kayak: Dozier Bridge, Hutton Circle, Birdneck Launch, and Owl Creek Boat Ramp.

​Mooring​ Areas

Fishing is not permitted from any mooring areas along city docks.​

Stormwater Ponds

Many of our city properties contain stormwater ponds on the premises, and although fishing is not prohibited, it is not encouraged for many reasons:

• ​They are man-made basins that are built to capture and treat stormwater runoff until it can either infiltrate into the ground, or flow through pipes into streams, lakes, or wetlands. Stormwater consists of pet waste, oils, fertilizers and nutrients, pesticides, sediment, and other pollutants.
• These ponds are designed to catch this runoff in areas with impervious surfaces, thus treating the runoff and preventing many pollutants from reaching nearby waterways.
• In most cases, there is very limited to no parking on the site, as well as very limited safe access to the pond.
• In some cases, private property prevents access. ​​

Reel In and Recycle

Fishing Line Recycle Program

Our local waterways are home to a vast array of wildlife that counts on us to keep their habitat sustainable. If you have an unwanted line or see discarded line lying around, please place it in one of our fishing lines recycle containers. 

Fishing line recycling containers are available at city parks with waterway access and City boat launches. Avoid casting near trees, utility lines, and other areas where your line may get caught.

Please help us keep discarded and unwanted lines from becoming a safety issue for wildlife. For more information please visit boatus.org/monofilament.