Best places to go fishing, rent a canoe, kayak, boat and launch a boat in Williamsburg area

Williamsburg, James City County and York County have amazing historical locations but they also have some of the most beautiful places to fish and boat. If you are looking for a place to fish with family and friends – here is a great little list! And if you need a fishing license, licensing may be purchased online at Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

Brickyard Landing

990 Brickyard Road (off Forge Road):
Brickyard Landing is a public boat ramp that provides access to the Chickahominy River from the upper end of James City County. The boat ramp is operated by James City County Parks & Recreation.

Chickahominy Riverfront Park

Chickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Highway Open: Campground is open for all length of camp stays. Walking trail, playground, boat ramp and lots of open space. Paddle craft rentals

The park offers a 290-foot lighted fishing pier that’s available for use 24 hours a day and a catch-and-release pond. A fresh water license is required for all fishing in the park for anyone over the age of 16. The park also features a boat ramp to launch personal watercraft and it’s also available for use 24 hours a day. . Canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals are available for rent all year.

Fishing is not permitted from the boat ramp pier or boat rental dock
Must have a fresh water fishing license; fishing licenses are not sold in the Guest Services Office; licensing may be purchased online at Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Bank fishing is allowed adjacent to the fishing pier only, but not at canoe/kayak launch area

Diascund Reservoir Park

9551 Diascund Reservoir Road:
Boating access & fishing
When fishing in the Reservoir, either from the bank or from a boat, you must have in your possession a valid VA freshwater fishing license
 Bank fishing by the general public will be permitted in designated areas immediately adjacent
to the public boat ramp (please see map).
 Owners of property abutting City-owned lands* surrounding the Reservoir, and their guests,
have the right to fish from City-owned lands* adjacent to their property.

Jamestown Beach Event Park

2205 Jamestown Road: Fishing in fishing area.
Paddle craft launching is allowed only in the designated area.
Fishing is permitted in designated areas and not on the observation pier or along the beach. A freshwater license is required.

This beach is a beautiful place to visit so make sure to learn about all the amenities here.

Little Creek Reservoir Park

180 Lakeview Drive: boat launch & fishing.

Jon boats, canoes and kayaks are available for rent; we provide all the necessary equipment. Electric trolling motors are the only motors permitted on the reservoir. Electric motors are available to rent at our Guest Services Office.

They have mulit-use trails for hiking, biking and jogging, boat launch & fishing, and playground. The Park store is open daily, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for boat rentals, boat ramp passes, concessions, and other transactions.

“The fishing is great! The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries recognized one Little Creek Reservoir Park patron as the 2015 Angler of the Year. The striped bass, 32 pounds and 42 inches, caught in the reservoir was the largest officially registered striped bass with the Virginia Angler Recognition Program for 2015.”

New Quarter Park

New Quarter Park – 1000 Lakeshead Drive Williamsburg, VA 23185: Fishing is available from a floating pier and easy access for kayaking and canoeing is available from a scenic launch site.

Do you like to go out on the water, but not have your own personal watercraft? New Quarter Park has kayaks you can rent for 2-hour time slots or the full day. The 2-hour rental fee is $10 for residents and $12 for non-residents. The full-day rental fee is $30 for residents and $35 for non-residents. To rent a kayak you must be 18 years or older. Children 13 and older must have a parent or guardian with them at all times. For more information on upcoming kayak tours, please see the attached flyer.

Please stop by the park office to purchase a snack, grab a park map, or just say Hello!

For information on any of our upcoming programs and to register, visit www.yorkcounty.gov/parksandrec

2 hour block – Resident Fee $10 / Non Resident Fee $12
Full Day – Resident Fee $30 / Non Resident Fee $35
Pre-paid reservations online only (48 hours in advance)

For information on Kayaking at either New Quarter or Back Creek Parks

Powhatan Creek Park and Blueway

1831 Jamestown Road:
Fishing, Small Watercraft Launch

Fishing, small watercraft launch & wildlife viewing – this place is a great secret spot. As you are driving toward the ferry on Jamestown Rd. you can practically blink and miss the sign so have the address ready.

Powhatan Creek Park and Blueway is part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network and provides access to the James River at Jamestown Island, including scenic views of Historic Jamestown. The park consists of a small non-motorized boat/canoe/kayak launch with gravel parking for up to 20 vehicles, as well as 5 observation/fishing piers. Fishing and boat launch access is available 24 hours a day. Powhatan Creek is listed on the Natural Resources Inventory as the most biodiverse creek on the peninsula. Scenic views of tidal marshes and an abundance of wildlife highlight trips on this beautiful waterway

Waller Mill Park

901 Airport Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185 (757) 259-3778
Boat Rentals (kayak, canoe, pedal boats, jon boats). Boat Ramp. Kayak Ramp, Fishing Pier, Boat House Store (rod rentals, tackle, bait, snacks & drinks) They also have trails and dog park.

Warhill Sports Complex

4900 Stadium Road:
2 ponds for shoreline fishing. This sports complex has a great trail, baseball and soccer fields, concessions, a large playground and more. Make sure to visit here to learn all about it.

York River State Park

9801 York River Park Rd. 757-566-3036
Fishing, canoe and kayaking – A boat ramp, fresh and salt water fishing spots, a fishing pier, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and seasonal boat and recreational equipment rentals are available. Woodstock Pond is in Yorkriver State park you can fish from the edge or rent a boat to fish. Here is more about what you can catch in the pond. This park has great programming and more visit here

We are sure to have missed a fishing spot so make sure you Virginia’s Where to Fish guide here to find fishing spots near you and it is also a great site to check as you travel to different areas in the state.

Here is the 2020 Select Recreational Fishing Regulations