Fishing

Fishing on South Fork Quantico Creek.

NPS Photo

 

Prince William Forest Park protects the South Fork of the Quantico Creek as well as 80% of the Quantico Creek Watershed. Within the park’s boundaries are approximately eighteen miles of streams and two impoundments which are open to the public for fishing. The water quality of park streams is very healthy and supports numerous fish species and other aquatic life. Most commonly found species include bluegill, pumpkinseed, largemouth bass, and channel catfish.

Fishing is permitted anywhere along the South Fork and Quantico Creeks. Four small lakes, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s, are also great fishing spots. These lakes sit adjacent to the park's cabin camps and can only be reached by foot.

Visitors may also fish at Breckenridge Reservoir on the northeast bank in the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area though, again, this area can only be reached by foot and no watercraft is allowed. To access the Breckenridge Reservoir from Prince William Forest Park, you will need to receive a backcountry permit from the Visitor Center.

 

Family fishing at an event in the park

NPS Photo/Melissa Weih

Regulations

To help the park manage its resources, we ask that the public observe the following regulations.

• Fishing shall be in accordance with Virginia fishing regulations.
• A fishing license issued by the state of Virginia is required for those who are age 16 and older.
• Use only hook and line for fishing. This includes handlines, cane poles, and road and reel. No other fishing method are permitted.
• Fishing licenses, creel and tackle may be checked for compliance by any law enforcement officer.
• The use of live or dead minnows, bait fish, amphibians, or unpreserved fish eggs or fish roe for bait is prohibited. Digging for bait on park property is also prohibited.
• Fishing from road bridges is prohibited. Disposing of fish viscera on park property is prohibited.
• Carters Pond is open to fishing as catch and release only.
• Fishing in areas closed to public use is prohibited. These areas are designated by posted signs (fishing on the docks near the cabin camps is only available to permit holders of the cabin camps). Failure to avoid use of these areas may result in a fine. These areas include:
• • The west bank of Lake Two
  • The east bank of Lake One

Fishing Season

Park waters are open to fishing year round, except when frozen waters do not permit fishing access from the shoreline.

Catch Limits

Bass is limited to five per day with no minimum size.
Pickerel is limited to five per day with no minimum size.
Catfish is limited to 20 per day with no minimum size.
All other fish: There is 50 per day catch limit and no minimum size.

The Northern Snakehead is an invasive species and has the potential to inflict damage to native fish species. Anglers may possess a snakehead only if they immediately kill it and notify Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries [phone] or [phone] and Prince William Forest Park Biologist at 703-441-4108.

Please refer to the Superintendent's Compendium for additional regulations on fishing.

Note: This is only a guide and is not all inclusive. Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations is applicable to the park. For further information, please contact the park’s visitor center at 703-221-7181.