Grab your gear and head out into the beautiful hills and hollers of Patrick County for a fun day of fishing or hunting. Go trout fishing the headwaters of the Dan River, hunt for deer in the secluded Fairy Stone Reserve, or take a boat out onto Philpott Lake for bass and bluegill.
Hunting
Patrick County has a rich ecosystem and a substantial deer, turkey, and small game population. Hunting licenses are required for residents and non-residence. For details about hunting licenses, check out the Virginia DWR website.
Be sure to check on the specific hunting season and other regulations for all games. The Virginia DWR lists specific regulations for deer, bear, turkey, and small game.
Fairy Stone State Park – The Fairy Stone Wildlife Management Area occupies 5,321 acres, in Patrick and Henry Counties and borders Philpott Lake. The primary species available are deer, turkeys, squirrels, and raccoons.
Primland Resort: Auberge Resorts Collection – Primland offers a luxury hunting retreat that the whole family can enjoy.
Fishing
A freshwater fishing license is required for everyone fishing in the county. Virginia residents can obtain a 1-year license for $23 or a 5-day license for $14. Non-residence can obtain a 1-year license for $47 or a 5-day license for $21. Both residents and non-residence are required to purchase an additional trout license to fish in stocked waters between October 1–June 15. For more information about licenses, check out the Virginia DWR page here.
The Virginia DWR has created an interactive trout fishing map that lists the wild and stocked species found in streams and rivers. This map also highlights any special restrictions a fishing area may have. The map can be found here.
Creeks and Rivers
There are many stocked fishing access points along the creeks and rivers that run through the county. The waters are home to brook, brown, and rainbow trout.
To find a stocked location, look for a green and white, diamond-shaped sign near a river bank. The DWR also posts its trout stocking schedule here.
Dan River – The Dan River begins in the mountains of Patrick County and crosses over into North Carolina before going back into Virginia. It is a put-and-take stream below the power plant in Kibler Valley with brook, brown, and rainbow trout. Past the power plant, there is wild trout fishing with brook, brown, and rainbow. This section of the river is catch and release.
Ararat River – The Ararat River rises in Patrick County and flows down into North Carolina. It is a put-and-take stream stocked with brown trout.
Clarks Creek – This creek is located in Ararat. It is a put-and-take stream with brook trout.
South Mayo River – The South Mayo River is near Stuart. It is a put-and-take stream stocked with brook and rainbow trout.
Poorhouse Creek – This creek is located near Stuart. It is a put-and-take stream stocked with brook trout.
Round Meadow Creek – This creek is located in the Meadows of Dan. It is a put-and-take stream stocked with brook trout.
Rock Castle Creek – This creek is located in Woolwine. It is a put-and-take stream stocked with rainbow, brook, and brown trout. The creek is also home to wild trout.
Lakes
Whether you’re fishing from a boat or from the shore, there’s plenty to catch when fishing in the lakes here in Patrick County. Some common species include large and smallmouth bass, bluegills, and crappie.
Fairy Stone State Park – The 168-acre Fairy Stone Lake is great for family fishing and boating. Paddle this serene lake in your canoe or kayak. Boat rentals are available daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The lake offers some good largemouth bass. Bluegill, crappie, catfish, and October-stocked trout round out the park’s lake fishing.
Philpott Lake – Philpott Lake is a 2,880-acre impoundment located in Patrick, Henry, and Franklin counties. There are plenty of boating, fishing, and hiking opportunities for everyone to enjoy. Fishermen can catch bluegill, walleye, catfish, and bass in the lake.
Resorts
Primland Resort: Auberge Resorts Collection – Primland’s experts can turn anyone into a fishing pro! Guests can fish in stocked ponds or in the nearby Dan River. Primland Resort offers 5-star luxury in the secluded mountains of Patrick County. The resort offers spectacular views and plenty of activities for the whole family.