Largemouth Bass

Shenandoah, Virginia, offers some surprisingly good largemouth bass fishing, particularly in the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and its connected impoundments. The river offers a mix of rocky runs, deeper pools, and submerged structure that bass love to ambush prey from. Spring and fall are prime times; the prespawn bite in early spring can be explosive, and the fall feeding frenzy as bass prepare for winter is equally productive. Summer can be tougher, but early morning and late evening topwater action can be rewarding. A local tip: Focus on areas with current breaks or near submerged logs and rocks. Access to the South Fork is relatively easy via numerous public access points and boat ramps along Route 340. Be aware that river levels can fluctuate significantly, especially after heavy rains, so check conditions before you go. The largemouth in this area tend to be scrappy fighters, often found in the 1-3 pound range, but larger fish are certainly possible.