Best places to fish, rent a canoe, kayak, boat and launch a boat in Williamsburg, James City County and York County, Virginia!
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. Fishing is not allowed at the James City County Marina from the floating docks, paddlecraft launch, and banks. Fishing is allowed at James town Beach Event Park, Powhatan Creek Park and Blueway, Chickahominy Riverfront Park, Little Creek Reservoir Park, Diascund Reservoir, York River State Park, and Brickyard Landing.
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. Boat Access/Launch, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing – More Info
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Chickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Highway
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. Please stop in the Guest Services Office or use the boat ramp honor box outside the store to pay the boat ramp fee. Paddlecraft rentals are available daily, year-round from 8 a.m. until 1.5 hours before Guest Services closes. These include Single Sit-In Kayak, Single Sit On-Top Kayak, Tandem Sit-In, Tandem Sit On-Top, Canoes. View our Park Fees for launch and rental details visit here
Diascund Reservoir Park
9551 Diascund Reservoir Road:
This reservoir, provided and operated jointly by Newport News, James City County, and the Division of Game and Inland Fisheries, is open to the general public for boating access and fishing….more info
Jamestown Beach Event Park
2205 Jamestown Road: Fishing in fishing area.
Jamestown Beach Event Park is a family and dog-friendly beach that’s open daily 8 a.m. – sunset. The beachfront park features picnic areas (some shaded) with charcoal grills; a designated fishing area (freshwater license is required); an observation pier (for viewing only); outdoor rinse stations; paddle craft launch/loading/storage area; and a concession facility where ice cream, hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks and snacks are sold. paddlecraft rentals, paddlecraft launch/storage area, and seasonal concessions. This park also offers an ADA-accessible beach mat for direct river access and a floating beach chair available for guests who request water access accommodation from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Non-resident parking fees are charged Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. More Info
James City County Marina
2054 Jamestown Road Williamsburg, VA 23185
Fishing is not allowed at the James City County Marina from the floating docks, paddlecraft launch, and banks but you can rent renting bikes, canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, and they have a double-wide boat ramp; paddlecraft launch area.
James City County operates the Marina and is located on the historic Powhatan Creek, behind Jamestown Island and across the street from Jamestown Settlement. If you prefer a quiet paddle along historic Powhatan Creek, we are your kayak rental destination. Paddle the waterways where Captain John Smith and others traveled as they settled on Jamestown Island. The James City County Marina is located on the historic Powhatan Creek, behind Jamestown Island and across the street from Jamestown Settlement and Jamestown Beach Event Park. The marina offers boat slips; dry land storage for boats and/or boat trailers; marine-grade (REC-90), ethanol-free fuel; a bath house with showers (available April – October); year-round bike, kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle board rentals; a double-wide boat ramp; paddlecraft launch area; marine head pump-out; a waterfront picnic shelter and a Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory (CVWO) butterfly garden More Info
Little Creek Reservoir Park
180 Lakeview Drive: boat launch & fishing.
Update 4/22/2026: Alert – Little Creek Boat Launch and Park Store Closed Until Further Notice
Low water levels impact water recreational activities at Little Creek Reservoir Park (LCRP). Once water levels have risen to a safe and feasible level, facilities will reopen. The Park store is also closed and rentals of kayaks, canoes or any watercraft vessel equipment are not available. For a list of alternative parks with these amenities, please visit our Parks and Trails page. The boat launch is anticipated to reopen in early 2026, dependent on water levels. LCRP recreational patrons who would like a refund of their annual ramp pass or kayak/canoe dry storage units should call Josh Bew at 757-207-0880. For information on the reservoir and water capacities, please call Newport News Waterworks at 757-926-1000.
This 996-acre scenic park is a fisherman’s paradise! Little Creek Reservoir offers year-round fishing and picnicking and features a concession facility, playground, soft mulch trail and a shelter with grills. More Info
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. There is no park entrance fee.
Powhatan Creek Park and Blueway
1831 Jamestown Road
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. The facility 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. No loitering is allowed after sunset. Scenic views of tidal marshes and an abundance of wildlife highlight trips on this beautiful waterway. More Info
Waller Mill Park
901 Airport Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185 (757) 259-3778
The 360-acre lake is open for fishing, boating, pedal boating, canoeing and kayaking with a tunnel connecting the upper and lower sections of the lake. Numerous picnic tables, picnic shelters, play fields, and playground equipment are nestled among the trees providing a scenic picnic area. More Info
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.
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