Rappahannock River from Chester Gap to Chesapeake Bay

Rappahannock River from Chester Gap to Chesapeake Bay Location: The Rappahannock River runs 186 miles from the Chester Gap (N38.92401 W78.09573) to Chesapeake Bay (N73.62028 W76.41750) Fredericksburg (N38.29860 W77.45761), known as the fall line lies on Hwy 17 just South of I-95. It is the general dividing line between the tidal waters coming upriver meeting the freshwater river above the fall line. Description: Information in this article was reproduced from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Web site. Date of reproduction is 24 Feb. 2005. We are very appreciative of their permission to use the information they provided. The Editors- Above Fredericksburg and the tidal influence, the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers provide excellent smallmouth bass and redbreast sunfish angling. Herring and shad run the river each spring in the tidal waters below Fredericksburg. Below the fall line, the Rappahannock also hosts white perch, largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, and blue catfish. Above Fredericksburg, the Rappahannock and Rapidan provide excellent smallmouth bass and redbreast sunfish angling. Herring and shad ascend the river through Fredericksburg each spring to Embrey Dam, and the hickory shad run in 2001 was one of the best in memory. Target these acrobatic fighters the two weeks on either side of Easter. The Rappahannock, below Fredericksburg, has white perch, largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, big channel catfish, and huge blue catfish. Striped bass are also abundant below Fredericksburg. The Rappahannock is a river rich in Virginia history, a river that is favored by canoeists and a river that is renowned for its smallmouth bass fishing. Beyond the "put-in" at Kelly's Ford landing the river will whisk away the mementos of the suburban lifestyles that eclipse it. Our canoeists find 25 miles of stream awaiting them that have changed little over time. The friendly current will push then past miles of rich stands of hardwoods that have been

spared because of the steep cliffs they inhabit, rock cliffs that have withstood centuries of raging flood waters, wooded islands begging to be explored, and giant midstream boulders that seem to yellow "smallmouth bass". There will be rapids to run, but they are not difficult, and long quiet pools where both anglers may have to take up paddles to travel through. The bottom of the stream over which the crystal clear water flows is sandy in places, but in others it is filled with ledges and rock gardens where bass lurk. When the anglers leave the Kelley's Ford launching ramp they are committed to a minimum of two days on the river. On the left as they leave the launch area is approximately five miles of the C.F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area. The next public access, however, is Motts Landing, an estimated 25 miles downstream. But they are in no hurry. Instead they look forward to a leisurely trip - fishing, admiring the river and its environs, taking turns at the fishing and paddling. In addition to smallmouth bass and redbreast sunfish, anglers floating the river may encounter native fish such as catfish, chain pickerel, fallfish, and suckers. There is also limited fishing for bluegills, crappie, and largemouth bass. Periodically, canoeist or fishermen will pass the mouths of numerous tributaries such as the Hazel and Rapidan rivers, both good smallmouth streams in their own right. Most upriver canoeists and anglers end their trip at Motts Landing on the right near the city of Fredericksburg, but a hardy few may want to portage around area of the former Embrey's Dam and tackle the fall line waters that end at the U.S. Highway 1 bridge where the fast river collides with the tidal river. The take-out point is at the City Dock Landing on the right - or south side of the river. While the river below dam holds the fish mentioned above, it is the run of the migratory fish that draw anglers to the fall line water in March, April, and May. The hickory and white shad runs are popular, but there are also white perch and striped bass. Catch-and-release fishing is legal for all species, but check the regulations on striped bass and white shad. Once you have floated and fished the Rappahannock, you will always want to return. It's just a matter of time before you accept this challenge again. The Rappahannock River flows from its origin at Chester Gap in Fauquier County approximately 184 miles to the Chesapeake Bay. The first 62 miles, from the headwaters to Mayfield Bridge (Fredericksburg), are designated State Scenic River. The river has a watershed of approximately 27,896 mi², and average annual discharge (1907 1988) near Fredericksburg was 1,639 feet³/second. During Colonial days, the Rappahannock River was a major shipping artery for transporting tobacco, saltfish, iron ore, and grains. The watershed supports a variety of land uses; largely agricultural in the upper watershed. Runoff from the major tributaries (Rapidan and Hazel Rivers) leaves the Rappahannock muddy after even minor storm events. Access to the Rappahannock system (defined here as the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers) is fairly limited and primitive. Established access points on the Rappahannock (traveling downstream) are at Kellys Ford (Route 672 off Route 651) in Culpeper County and Motts Landing (Route 618) in Spotsylvania County. About 25 miles separates these canoe/jon boat slides, and an overnight camp stop is nearly mandatory for those that float fish this reach. Another access point is located on the Rapidan River at Elys Ford (Route 610) in Spotsylvania County about 14 miles upstream of Motts Landing. Access may also be gained via several non established points these consisting of VDOT right-of-ways along bridges (e.g., Route 522 on the Rapidan) many anglers choose one of the canoe liveries that have agreements with landowners and provide floats of varying length from access points not available to the general public. The river is tidal below Fredericksburg, and public boat launch sites

are limited to five (two in or near Fredericksburg, Hicks Landing, Port Royal and Tappahannock). The Rappahannock River's character changes abruptly in Fredericksburg at the fall line (the limit of tidal influence). Above the fall line, the river is usually clear, swift, and dominant substrates are bedrock, boulder and cobble, perfect habitat for smallmouth bass and related species. However, below Route 1 the river is tidal, and the substrate is finer, dominated by sand, and the water is frequently murky. Species composition shifts with habitat, and largemouth bass, catfish and anadromous species are common in and below Fredericksburg. The only blockage to migratory fish on the entire river was Embrey Dam at Fredericksburg. In 2004, the dam was breached with explosives to allow migrating fish to return to upstream spawning areas. Anadromous fish including shad, herring, lampreys, and striped bass can currently migrate far upriver, because of the breach. The remaining structure will be removed over the next few years. However, until the entire dam is dismantled and removed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has closed the river to boating, from I-95 to the dam (about 0.75 of a mile). Blue catfish were stocked below Fredericksburg in 1974, 1975, and 1977; channel catfish in 1975, 1987. Tiger musky were stocked above the fall line in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985. Boating activity above the fall line in Fredericksburg is limited to smaller vessels such as canoes, kayaks, and hand-carried johnboats. Access to the Rappahannock River is detailed below. U.S. 211 Bridge to Old U.S. Highway 29 Bridge The Rappahannock River is considered a public waterway from the U.S. 211 Bridge to the Chesapeake Bay, yet there is no formal access point above the Kellys Ford launching ramp downstream from the U.S. 29 Bridge. Several secondary roads cross the river between the U.S. 211 and 29 bridges, but using these sites to gain access to the river is subject to the approval of private landowners. Most river goers, entering or exiting the Rappahannock at the Old U.S. 29 Bridge, park at Ande's Store on the Remington side of the river. Again, make sure to get permission from the property owner. Old U.S. Highway 29 Bridge to Kelly's Ford This 4.5-mile stretch of river includes the famous Kelly's Ford Rapids, which are popular amongst beginner and experienced canoeists alike. Individuals often run the river several times in a single day. The rapids, depending on the river's current height, range from Class II to III. The Kelly's Ford launch and parking areas are on the south, or right, side of the river going downstream. There is good bass fishing both above and below the rapids. Kelly's Ford Access Point to Motts Run Access Point This is the most popular float trip on the Rappahannock, but also the longesttwo full days (25 miles). Access is off of the Secondary Route 620 on the south side of the river. Going downstream, both access points are on the right. Parking is available at both access points. Near the confluence of the Rapidan River, which flows in from the south (or on the right side of the Rappahannock going downstream), there are some Class II rapids. Approximately six miles of the C. F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area border the north side of the river just below Kellys Ford, and the city of Fredericksburg owns 4,800 acres at various points along the river. Check with David King at (540) 372-1023 to view city maps. Many parcels of city owned river land are available for camping. Elys Ford Access Point on the Rapidan River to Motts Run Access Point The Rapidan River is mentioned here as it offers a much shorter trip to Motts Run Access Point.

Anglers or canoeists can put in at Elys Ford Access Point off of Secondary Route 610 on the Rapidan, travel to its confluence with the Rappahannock, and float to Motts Run in a long day. The Rapidan is a spectacular and remote river that features rock gardens and Class II ledges. Those who want to make it into an overnight trip can camp on the city of Fredericksburg property near the confluence. Take out at Motts Run Access Point just off of Secondary Route 618. There is good fishing for smallmouth bass, sunfish, and a number of other species in the Rapidan River. Motts Run Access Point to Fredericksburg City Dock The Motts Run to Fredericksburg City Dock float is a half-day trip or less (approximately three miles). This trip calls for portaging around Embry Dam, below which currents can move a canoe along quickly. The portage trail is located on the north (or left) side of the river, and it is well marked. Canoeists are advised to stay on the north side of the river as they approach the fast water of the fall line above the U.S. Highway 1 Bridge. There is some dangerous Class III or higher water on the south (or right) side. Otherwise, the fast water in this short section of the Rappahannock is not rated above Class I or II. The canoeist will encounter tidal water at the U.S. Highway 1 Bridge, but can exit the river at the city park on the right side of the river. To do so will require a long carry to a vehicle however. On the other hand, the City Dock is only a mile or so downstream on the right side of the river, where a vehicle can be backed up to the dock for loading. Some flat water paddling is required in the tidal water. Size: The Rappahannock is 184 mile long. It runs 62 miles from The Chester Gap to the city of Fredericksburg and then to Chesapeake Bay. Fredericksburg is notable because it is referred to as the fall line wherein the water changes from a tidal water to a freshwater and some species availability changes at the fall line as well. Weather: Virginia being an East Coast state can see some pretty heavy weather but overall., it is a nice place to be. Winter temperatures can run from nighttime lows of 25 F to daytime highs of 50 F while Spring and Fall will have ranges of 50 F to 70 F. Summer will run from lows around 65 to 90. The snows of Winter are not the best choices to try to be on the water but the rest of the year can work. Fishing Methods: The River lends itself to all types of gear from Spin Casters to Bait Casters to Fly Rods. All methods tend to work equally well. However. Spin Casters and Bait Caster may be more effective as you get nearer the Chesapeake. As of February 2005 There are no special considerations or guidelines for fishing the Rappahannock River. For questions concerning freshwater fishing licenses and general policies, please consult the Virginia Freshwater Fishing Regulations. All statewide regulations apply to the Rappahannock River. There is no minimum size for largemouth or smallmouth bass. The creel limit is five (5) in aggregate (combined) per day. Bluegill and redbreast sunfish creel limits are 50 per day in aggregate (combined); rock bass (redeye) and black crappie limits are 25 per day (each species). Channel, blue, white catfish and bullheads have no minimum size limits. The catch limit is 20 per day (each species) above the Route 1 bridge in Fredericksburg; unlimited below the Route 1 bridge. Regulations on striped bass, shad, and herring are set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (1-800-541-4646).

Season: Generally speaking, seasons are open all year 24 hours a day. There can be some special area restrictions. Always check the regulations published by the Virgina Department of Fish and Game. Species At This Location: Bass LargeMouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Striped Catfish Blue Catfish Channel Crappie Black Perch White Perch Yellow