Virginia · United States

James River VA fishing forecast

66 Good of 100

James River VA is a freshwater fishing spot in Virginia, United States. Anglers here target Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass. The most productive months are typically March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.

Quick answer

Best monthsMarch, April, May, June

Top speciesBlue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass

Score now66/100

Local rulesUnited States — Federal Waters

Today’s verdict

Ranks #268 of 644 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today

In line with this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±7 points, from 7 live signals

Helping the score most

Waves+15.0Wind+12.0Water temperature+11.3

Pressure trend

Pressure stable — fish feeding on their usual rhythm

Next solunar peak

dusk 23:54

Current conditions

Sea surface temp	29.4 °C
Wind	8 km/h from SW, gusting 25 km/h
Pressure	1011 hPa
Cloud cover	19%
Chlorophyll	16.37 mg/m³
Salinity	0.0 PSU
Mixed-layer depth	7 m
UV index	3
Wind sea	0.0 m
Ground swell	0.0 m at 0 s

The water here is 6.4 °C warmer than the August average of 23.0 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 20.0 m, with the thermocline below that.

Updated 1 h ago.

What the score means at James River VA

James River VA currently scores 66 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 29.4 °C. 7 forecast signals are active in this score.

Waves +15.0: swell energy stirring the water column
Wind +12.0: surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
Water temperature +11.3: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Barometric pressure +4.4: falling pressure often triggers feeding
Pre-storm bite +2.4: the classic feed before heavy weather
Moon phase +2.0: lunar feeding rhythm

What’s biting now

The model expects today: channel-catfish, blue-catfish, shortnose-gar, bowfin, bluegill, green-sunfish, longnose-gar, black-bullhead

Bite windows

Moon

Waxing Gibbous · 82% lit

Solunar day rating

50 / 100

Best months for James River VA:

Score history at this spot

26 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-08-07, 74/100

11 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

+4 points vs the same day last week

About this spot

Water type

River · Freshwater

Rivers are flow-driven. Fish the seams, eddies, and structure where current breaks, where fish hold to conserve energy and ambush bait.

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · estuary

What you can catch

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus
Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus
Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Best months by species at James River VA

Blue CatfishIctalurus furcatus
Channel CatfishIctalurus punctatus
Smallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

U.S. federal fisheries authority

United States — Federal Waters

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.

FishRadar regulations are summaries only. Federal and state waters rules overlap — always verify current federal and state agency rules before fishing.