Largemouth Bass

Mount Crawford, Virginia, offers some solid largemouth bass fishing opportunities, particularly in smaller lakes and ponds dotting the Shenandoah Valley. While you won't find trophy-class giants here, the abundance of 1-3 pound bass makes for a fun and productive day on the water. Spring and fall are the peak seasons. During the spring spawn, target shallow, weedy areas with spinnerbaits or soft plastics. In the fall, as the water cools, focus on points and drop-offs with crankbaits or jigs. Many of these ponds are on private land, so always seek permission before fishing. The South River, which runs near Mount Crawford, also holds largemouth, especially around submerged structure and slower-moving sections. A practical tip: local anglers often have success with Texas-rigged worms and shallow-diving crankbaits in the stained water conditions often found in these smaller bodies of water. Be sure to check the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website for the latest fishing regulations.