Discover the best fishing opportunities in Southern West Virginia, including the New River, Greenbrier River, and Bluestone Lake.
Spring is one of the most productive times to fish the New River. As water temperatures rise, smallmouth bass move into shallower areas and become increasingly active.
Recommended Lures:
Summer fishing is best during early mornings and late evenings when water temperatures are cooler.
Recommended Lures:
Many experienced anglers consider fall the best time to target larger smallmouth bass. Fish actively feed before winter and can be found throughout the river system.
Winter fishing can still be productive when targeting deeper pools and slower-moving water with slower presentations.
Compared to the New River, anglers will generally find:
The Greenbrier River is especially popular among kayak anglers and families looking for a relaxing day on the water.
Productive techniques include:
Spring is one of the most popular seasons on Bluestone Lake.
Anglers commonly target:
During summer, fish often move deeper as water temperatures increase.
Successful anglers focus on:
Fall is a prime time for muskie fishing and aggressive bass action as fish feed heavily before winter.
The undisputed favorite among local anglers.
Best Waters:
Known as “the fish of ten thousand casts,” muskies provide some of the most exciting fishing opportunities in Southern West Virginia.
Best Waters:
Walleye fishing can be excellent during cooler months and low-light conditions.
Best Waters:
Channel and flathead catfish are available throughout the region and provide excellent opportunities for anglers fishing from shore.
Best Waters:
Several public access areas allow anglers to reach local waters.
Popular launch and access locations include:
Always verify water levels and weather conditions before launching.
| Season | Best Species |
|---|---|
| Spring | Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Muskie, Carp |
| Summer | Bass, Catfish, Bluegill, Carp |
| Fall | Bass, Muskie, Walleye, Carp |
| Winter | Walleye, Catfish, Muskie |
Before fishing in West Virginia, anglers should ensure they have the proper licenses and understand current regulations.
Be sure to review:
Regulations can change annually, so always review current state guidelines before your trip.
Fishing conditions in Hinton can change quickly due to rainfall, seasonal flows, and dam operations.
Factors that influence fishing success include:
Having local knowledge often makes the difference between a slow day and a successful one.
Whether you’re preparing for a float trip on the New River, fishing the Greenbrier River, or spending the day on Bluestone Lake, WaterDawg Outdoors has the gear and local knowledge you need.
WaterDawg Outdoors
Hinton, West Virginia
Big Water. Small Town.
Ask ten serious bass anglers to name the best river smallmouth fishery east of the Mississippi, and there’s a good chance the New River will make the list.
Flowing through the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia, the New River is one of the oldest rivers on Earth and home to one of the finest populations of smallmouth bass anywhere in the country. Every year anglers travel from across the United States to float its rapids, fish its rocky shoals, and chase the bronze-backed fighters that have made the river famous.
Whether you’re planning your first trip or you’ve been fishing the New River for years, understanding how smallmouth relate to current, structure, water temperature, and seasonal patterns can dramatically improve your success.
This guide covers everything you need to know about fishing for smallmouth bass on the New River.
Smallmouth bass thrive in rivers, and the New River provides nearly perfect habitat.
Throughout much of the watershed, anglers will find:
Rocky bottoms
Boulder fields
Current seams
Gravel bars
Deep pools
Oxygen-rich moving water
Unlike many reservoirs where fish can spread across thousands of acres, river smallmouth tend to concentrate around current and structure. The New River provides both in abundance.
The river also supports healthy populations of crawfish, minnows, shiners, hellgrammites, and aquatic insects, creating an ideal food source for growing bass.
It’s not uncommon for anglers to catch dozens of fish in a day, and every season produces trophy-class smallmouth exceeding four pounds.
The single biggest lesson an angler can learn on the New River is that current matters.
Smallmouth bass rarely position themselves randomly.
They are constantly balancing two objectives:
Conserving energy
Feeding efficiently
The best spots allow them to accomplish both.
Imagine sitting behind a rock in a stream. The current rushes around you while food drifts directly past your face.
That’s exactly how a smallmouth thinks.
The most productive locations often include:
A current seam is where fast water meets slower water.
These areas act like conveyor belts, bringing food directly to waiting bass.
Fish often hold just inches from the seam and dart into the current to feed.
Eddies form behind rocks, islands, and points.
These calmer areas allow fish to rest while remaining close to moving water.
Large smallmouth frequently occupy the downstream side of major eddies.
Large rocks break current and create ambush points.
Whenever you see a boulder the size of a refrigerator, make a cast.
Whenever you see a boulder the size of a pickup truck, make several.
Pools become especially important during summer heat and winter cold.
Fish often move deeper during the brightest parts of the day.
Spring is arguably the best time to catch the largest fish of the year.
As water temperatures rise through the 50-degree range, bass become increasingly active and begin moving toward spawning areas.
Focus on:
Gravel banks
Protected coves
Moderate current
Transition areas between shallow and deep water
During early spring, slower presentations often outperform aggressive techniques.
Effective lures include:
Suspending jerkbaits
Tube jigs
Ned rigs
Soft-plastic swimbaits
Many anglers consider April and May prime trophy months on the New River.
Summer provides the most consistent action.
Fish become more predictable and can be found around traditional river structure throughout the day.
Early morning and evening are usually most productive.
During summer, target:
Shade lines
Boulder gardens
Current seams
Ledges
Deep pools
Topwater fishing can be exceptional.
Few experiences in freshwater fishing compare to watching a New River smallmouth explode on a surface lure at sunrise.
Popular summer lures include:
Whopper Ploppers
Poppers
Walking baits
Tubes
Ned rigs
Swimbaits
Many experienced anglers consider fall the most underrated season on the New River.
Cooling temperatures trigger aggressive feeding activity.
Bass know winter is coming and begin feeding heavily.
Fall fish are often:
Heavier
More aggressive
Concentrated in predictable areas
Focus on:
Creek mouths
Deep pools
Rocky points
Current breaks
Jerkbaits, crankbaits, and swimbaits become increasingly effective.
Winter fishing can be challenging but rewarding.
Fish become less active and often hold in deeper pools.
Success requires patience.
Slow presentations are critical.
A handful of bites can turn into an outstanding day when those bites come from quality fish.
If the New River had an official lure, it might be a tube jig.
The rocky environment naturally supports crawfish, and tube jigs imitate them perfectly.
Popular colors include:
Green pumpkin
Watermelon
Brown
Green pumpkin with orange flakes
The Ned rig has become one of the most effective finesse presentations available.
When fishing pressure is high or conditions become difficult, the Ned rig consistently produces.
Swimbaits imitate the river’s baitfish population and excel in both clear and stained water.
Natural colors generally perform best.
Topwater fishing is often at its peak during summer.
Early mornings and evenings can produce explosive strikes.
Popular options include:
Poppers
Walking baits
Prop baits
Plopper-style lures
Spring and fall are prime jerkbait seasons.
When water temperatures cool, suspending jerkbaits become especially effective.
One of the best aspects of New River fishing is that you don’t need a boat.
Many productive areas can be accessed by wading.
Successful wading anglers focus on:
Shoals
Gravel bars
Public access points
Bridge crossings
Safety should always come first.
The New River can rise quickly after heavy rainfall.
Always check river conditions before entering the water.
Wear appropriate footwear and avoid crossing swift current whenever possible.
While wading can be productive, floating unlocks access to some of the river’s best fishing.
Kayaks, rafts, drift boats, and jet boats are all commonly used depending on the section of river.
Floating allows anglers to:
Cover more water
Reach less pressured fish
Access remote structure
Fish longer stretches efficiently
Many visiting anglers choose guided trips for their first experience on the river.
One of the most overlooked factors in smallmouth fishing is water condition.
Pay attention to:
Slightly stained water often fishes exceptionally well.
Extremely muddy water can make fishing difficult.
Smallmouth become increasingly active as temperatures rise through spring and early summer.
Higher water can reposition fish.
Lower water often concentrates them.
Learning how fish respond to changing river levels is one of the fastest ways to improve success.
A simple setup is all that’s required.
6’6″ to 7′ medium spinning rod
2500-size spinning reel
10 to 15-pound braided line with a fluorocarbon leader
Tube jigs
Ned rigs
Swimbaits
Topwaters
Jerkbaits
You don’t need a boatload of gear.
You need confidence in a handful of proven presentations.
River anglers often rush.
Slow down and thoroughly fish productive structure.
Current positions fish.
Learn to read moving water.
Many anglers focus exclusively on shallow shoals.
Some of the largest bass in the river spend significant time in deeper pools.
The next cast is often the one that matters.
Good structure deserves multiple presentations from different angles.
Located where the New, Greenbrier, and Bluestone watersheds meet, Hinton serves as an excellent basecamp for New River fishing adventures.
Visitors will find:
Public river access
Boat launches
Scenic river stretches
Lodging options
Restaurants
Outdoor recreation opportunities
Many anglers choose Hinton as their headquarters while exploring southern West Virginia’s world-class fisheries.
The anglers who consistently catch the most smallmouth on the New River aren’t necessarily the ones with the newest boats or the most expensive tackle.
They’re the anglers who understand current.
Learn where water speeds up.
Learn where it slows down.
Learn how fish use rocks, ledges, seams, and pools.
Once you start seeing the river through the eyes of a smallmouth bass, everything changes.
And when a bronze-backed New River smallmouth launches itself into the air against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains, you’ll understand why so many anglers consider this one of America’s greatest river fisheries.
Good luck, and we’ll see you on the water.