Between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers, Lake Mooney and all the streams and marshes around the county, Stafford is blessed with around 71.5 miles of tidal shoreline and countless non-tidal. And where there is shoreline, there is opportunity for fishing in a multitude of ways. Stafford’s Economic Development and Tourism Office has created a handy guide to fishing on its website. With the variety and type of fishing available in Stafford, the county is perfect for all types of anglers, from beginners to those with lot of experience.

“Recreational opportunities are essential for a good quality of life and businesses look for these types of assets when deciding where to locate,” said Director of Economic Development and Tourism John Holden. “Our Board of Supervisors understands this correlation and has made recreation one of its priorities for the community.”

The Tourism website features an array of locations with the types of fish available, links to websites with more information and upcoming info on tournaments. Stafford has attracted the Kayak Bass Fishing Trail Series Tournament from June 13 to 14, 2020. The tournament is hosted by retired US Navy officer Chad Hoover who will feature the county on his television show “Kayak Bassin.”

Stafford is unique in that you can catch inland fish and tidal fish. As well, you can fish for tidal largemouth bass by boat in the morning in the Potomac and move on down to the Chesapeake Bay in the afternoon for cobia. You can fish off the shoreline from one of several stocked lakes in the County. There are multiple locations to put in a canoe or kayak to fish – Crow’s Nest, Lake Mooney and Widewater State Park among them. You can also join all the wader-clad men and women (and herons) in the Rappahannock in the spring for the running of the shad.

To find out more about fishing in Stafford County, visit www.tourstaffordva.com/fishing.

When fishing anywhere in Virginia, it is important to obtain a fishing license as it is required unless you are fishing on private land or you are age 16 or under. There are several exceptions to this requirement listed on the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website at www.dgif.virginia.gov. You may purchase the licenses online or via one of the department’s agents.