449 | Virginia 2025 Fishing Reports | DWR Biologists Break Down Every Major River

To celebrate the incredible working relationship between Fishing the DMV and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, this special long-form compilation episode brings together multiple in-depth biologist reports covering Virginia’s most iconic and productive river systems. This episode is packed with science-backed insight, fish population trends, and actionable information every serious angler should know heading into 2025.

·      (Tidal) Potomac River with biologist John Odenkirk

·      Shenandoah River System with biologist Jason Hallacher

·      North Fork of the Holston River with Justin Helflin

·      New River System biologist Kristen Chestnut-Faull.

·      Upper James River system (Non-Tidal) withbiologist Hunter Hatcher

·      York River, Chickahominy, Appomattox and Tidal James River with Biologist Margaret Whitmore

This special compilation episode kicks off on the Potomac River with veteran biologist John Odenkirk, breaking down the 2025 fisheries report and the current health of bass and invasive snakehead populations in Virginia’s tidal waters. From there, we dive into the Shenandoah River system with biologist Jason Hallacher, covering new sampling data across the North Fork, South Fork, and Main Stem, highlighting improving smallmouth numbers, strong sunfish action, successful stocking efforts, and ongoing habitat recovery.

The episode then travels across Virginia’s most iconic river systems, including the North Fork of the Holston River with Justin Helflin, the legendary New River with Kristen Chestnut-Faull, and the Upper James River with Hunter Hatcher. These segments explore trophy smallmouth potential, population trends, and survey results that reveal why these rivers continue to thrive. The compilation wraps up with a comprehensive tidal breakdown from Margaret Whitmore, covering the Tidal James, Appomattox, Chickahominy, and the often-overlooked Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers—spotlighting some of Virginia’s most productive and underrated fisheries heading into the upcoming season.

Biologist Reports & Forecasts:
https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/forecasts-and-reports/non-tidal-river-fishing-forecast/

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