River Monsters: The 5 Largest Fish in the James River

The Commonwealth of Virginia has many waterways, and fishing has been a way of life in the region since long before the United States was formed. The James River is among many other rivers that flow through this state, and a variety of fish live in it. While some species of fish in this river are relatively small, like white perch, others are very large. Learn about the largest fish in the James River and discover why it’s one of the best places to go fishing in all of Virginia.  

What Sort of Fish Live in the James River?

The James River is a 340-mile river that flows from the Appalachian Mountains and ends in the Chesapeake Bay. This is one of the longest rivers in the state, and several historic cities were built nearby including Richmond, Jamestown, and Williamsburg.

The river hosts a variety of fish including walleyes, trout, crappies, smallmouth bass, and many others. While finding an award-winning bass is always fun, the fact is that they’re not the largest creatures swimming in this river.  

The 5 Largest Fish in the James River

Several large fish live in the James River. Given the length of the river and the fact that it flows from the mountains into the large Chesapeake Bay, not all fish are found throughout the entire run of the river.  Still, many large species thrive in these waters and exceptionally large individuals have been pulled from the water over the years. Take a look at some of the largest fish in the James River and see just how big they get!

1. Longnose Gar

The longnose gar is a ray-finned fish that is commonly found throughout most of the eastern United States. These fish can grow to sizes of 6 feet 8 inches and weigh as much as 35 pounds. These creatures are known for their unique looks. After all, longnose gars are lengthy, cylindrical fish with very long, thin jaws that stick out several inches.

These fish look odd and they can even breathe air from the atmosphere, allowing them to live in places with low oxygen. The largest longnose gar ever caught in Virginia weighed about 25 pounds 2 ounces and measured over 4 feet long!

2. Atlantic Sturgeon

The Atlantic sturgeon is a large fish that is often called a living fossil because of the multiple layers of scutes that run the length of its body rather than scales. These fish can grow very large, with the biggest of them measuring up to 14 feet long and weighing 800 pounds. They are often considered the largest fish in the James River even though they do not live in the river all the time.

Atlantic sturgeon was a crucial food source for European settlers in Virginia. However, overfishing and a variety of other issues cut down their population over the years, and now this is a protected species.

Fishing for Atlantic Sturgeon has been illegal in Virginia since 1974, but that doesn’t mean people cannot enjoy seeing them. After all, they are anadromous fish. That means they grow up in freshwater and then move to the sea to mature before returning to reproduce. Along their migration paths, the James River included, these fish will breach from the water, giving people a brief look at them.

3. Blue Catfish

Blue catfish are some of the most popular large fish caught in the James River. These fish are most often caught in the areas of the James River below Richmond. One of the reasons that these fish are a popular target for anglers is that they can get quite large.

Most of them will only grow two feet or less. Yet, some of them can grow up to 5 feet in length and weigh 100 pounds. James River is known as a hotbed for blue catfish activity. Fishers have caught some monstrous specimens in the area. The record for a blue catfish caught in the Chesapeake Bay area was a 102-pound fish caught in the James River.

4. Flathead Catfish

The flathead catfish is another large one of the largest fish in the James River. These fish are known for their broad, flat heads along with their habit of eating a wide variety of foods. They’re not as easy to catch as other fish, but they can be found in the James River near Richmond.

The heaviest flathead catfish pulled from the waters in Virginia weighed 68 pounds 12 ounces. It was pulled from Lake Smith in 2018.

5. Muskellunge (Muskies)

The James River is known as one of the best places in all of Virginia to catch muskellunge. These fish require a bit more preparation and specialized bait than other fish, but they’re worth the effort. They average about 2 to 4 feet in length and weigh between 15 and 35 pounds as adults. The largest muskie ever caught in Virginia weighed 45 pounds and measured 53 inches long!

All in all, the largest fish in the James River tend to be very rewarding for anglers to catch or just to witness. While fishers can catch most of them, the Atlantic sturgeon is still off-limits. Make sure to learn the local fishing laws before going out to the James River to fish. Also, be aware of some of the other wildlife that lives in the areas.

Summary of the 5 Largest Fish in the James River:

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/ClaudineVM