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Virginia · Fishing
Fishing around Montross, Virginia is a quiet, low-key affair centered on still water rather than big rivers.
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Fishing around Montross, Virginia is a quiet, low-key affair centered on still water rather than big rivers. The three spots in this area — Cabin Point Creek, Bettys Pond, and Horners Pond — are all lake or pond fisheries, which means you're looking at calm-water species like largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish rather than trout or fast-water game fish. This part of the Northern Neck sits in a rural stretch of Westmoreland County where fishing pressure stays light compared to spots closer to the DC and Richmond corridors. None of these waters are large destination fisheries, but that's part of the appeal: you can show up on a weekday morning, find a bank spot, and actually fish without competing for space. Bettys Pond and Horners Pond are small enough that a kayak or canoe gives you a real advantage over bank fishing alone. Cabin Point Creek rounds out the options with similar still-water character. If you're driving in from out of town, the fishing here pairs well with a longer Northern Neck trip rather than standing alone as a multi-day destination.
All three waters — Cabin Point Creek, Bettys Pond, and Horners Pond -- are classified as lake or pond fisheries, so expect warm-water species typical of Virginia's coastal plain: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish are the most likely targets. There is no gold-medal or wild-trout designation for any of these waters, so don't plan a trout trip here.
Yes. Any angler 16 or older needs a valid Virginia freshwater fishing license to fish these waters. You can purchase one online through the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website or at local sporting goods and bait shops. Check current regulations for any site-specific rules before you go, as access and rules can change.
George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VA.
Fort Washington Park Day Use Facilities
~1h 12m drive
A worthwhile stop near MD.
Bettys Pond
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VA.
Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary
~1h drive
A worthwhile stop near MD.
Cabin Point Creek
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VA.
Telegraph Picnic Pavilion
~1h 13m drive
A worthwhile stop near VA.
Omohundra Millpond
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VA.
Cabin Camp 3
~1h 15m drive
A worthwhile stop near VA.
Horners Pond
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VA.
Meadowood Visitor Contact Station
~1h 15m drive
A worthwhile stop near VA.
Horners Pond
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VA.
Oak Ridge Campground
~1h 22m drive
A worthwhile stop near VA.
For warm-water pond fishing in this region, early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows, especially for bass and bluegill. Spring and early fall are the strongest seasons overall -- bass are active and feeding aggressively in water temperatures between roughly 60 and 75 degrees. Summer midday fishing slows down significantly as water temperatures rise.
A light to medium spinning setup covers most situations at these ponds. For bass, soft plastics, small spinnerbaits, and topwater lures work well in still, weedy pond environments. If you're after bluegill or crappie, a simple bobber-and-worm or small jig rig is hard to beat. A kayak or canoe is worth bringing to Bettys Pond and Horners Pond since both are small enough that reaching the middle of the water opens up significantly more fishable area.
Yes, pond fishing is about as beginner-friendly as it gets. The calm water, relatively simple gear requirements, and likelihood of catching panfish like bluegill make spots like Bettys Pond and Horners Pond solid choices for kids or first-time anglers. Bank access is generally straightforward at small ponds, though you should scout parking and access points before arriving with a full group.
