Dan River Fishing
River and creek fishing in Patrick County.
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The Dan River, sized up for Virginia anglers
Look for the Dan River, a river, in Patrick County. The closest Census place is Stuart, about 9 miles from the mapped point.
3 USGS gauges measure it. 4 stocked reaches carry DWR stocked trout. It has a special trout regulation section.
Virginia DWR waterbody pages, Stocked Trout Reaches and Cold Water Stream Survey layers and Boating Access Locations; USGS gauges; read November 6, 2026.
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The Dan River is a river of contrasts, originating high along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Patrick County and flowing east until it empties into the 50,000-acre John H. Kerr Reservoir (Buggs Island Lake) near Clarksville, Virginia. The Dan River is a stream for all seasons and the choice of a variety of anglers.
DWR directions to Dan River
The upper Dan lends itself to the wading angler, but the public access on the lower Dan River is generally best for those using john boat and small motors. There are, however, two one-day float trips the canoeist can easily make – the first from Danville to Milton, and the second from South Boston to Aarons Creek. Talbott Dam A ramp from hand-carried boats off Rt.
For Dan River, the block above is DWR text cut to whole sentences.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
Streamflow on the Dan River today
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Dan River At Stp Near Danville, Va | 567 cfs, 4.32 ft gage height | Nov 8 6:45 pm |
| Dan River At Paces, Va | 651 cfs, 2.47 ft gage height | Nov 8 6:45 pm |
| Dan River At South Boston, Va | 686 cfs, 5.44 ft gage height | Nov 8 7:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 8, 2026 7:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS posts these Dan River values live; they are provisional.
| USGS site | Name |
|---|---|
| 02075045 | DAN RIVER AT STP NEAR DANVILLE, VA |
| 02075500 | DAN RIVER AT PACES, VA |
| 02076000 | DAN RIVER AT SOUTH BOSTON, VA |
USGS instantaneous values, provisional.
DWR-listed fish in the Dan River
For Dan River, the species follow DWR wording, not angler reports.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
Boating access along the Dan River
DWR maps no boating access site on Dan River; public road crossings and the sites below are the options.
Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations layer (attributes as recorded; lanes, fees and hours are not in the layer), read November 6, 2026.
Catchable trout along the Dan River
| Reach | Locality | Category | Species stocked | Heritage Day | National forest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan River | Patrick | ||||
| Dan River | Patrick | B (stocked 5 times between October 1 and May 15) | brook | ||
| Dan River | Patrick | ||||
| Dan River (Below Powerhouse) | Patrick | A (stocked 8 times between October 1 and May 31) | rainbow, brown, brook |
DWR stocks 4 reaches of Dan River, in category A and B.
Virginia DWR Stocked Trout Reaches and Stocked Trout Lakes layers (category, species, heritage day), read November 6, 2026.
The special regulation section of the Dan River
| Water | Locality as printed | Regulation | Trout license Oct 1 to Jun 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dan River | Patrick | 16 inch / 2 per day | |
| Dan River | Patrick | Catch and Release |
- 16-inch Minimum, 2 Fish Per Day: Dan River (Patrick County)That portion from Talbott Dam approximately 6 miles downstream to a sign posted just upstream from the confluence of the Dan River and Townes Reservoir. The upper reaches can be reached by taking Route 614 south from Meadows of Dan, turn right on Route 601, and proceed to Talbott Dam. The lower reach can only be accessed by boat at the upper end of Townes Reservoir. *A permit from Northbrook Virginia Hydro LLC is required and information about permits can be obtained by calling (276) 251-5141 .
- Catch and Release Only: Dan River (Patrick County)That portion of stream and its tributaries between the Townes Dam and the Pinnacles Hydroelectric Powerhouse. This section can be reached by taking Route 8 south from Stuart to Route 103 west, turn right on Route 648 at Claudeville, and proceed to the powerhouse at the end of the road. The upper end of this section can be reached by taking Route 614 south from Meadows of Dan, turning left on Route 602, and proceeding to Townes Dam. *A permit from Northbrook Virginia Hydro LLC is required …
- Catch and Release Only: Rapidan River (Madison County)That portion of stream and its tributaries (including Staunton River) upstream from a sign at the lower Shenandoah National Park boundary (includes the entire stream and its tributaries within the Shenandoah National Park and the Rapidan WMA). Access to the Rapidan is available using Route 662 from Graves Mill and Route 649 from Criglersville.
Special regulation trout waters as printed (page updated August 17, 2026), 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026.
Designated stocked trout waters require a trout license October 1 to June 15; urban waters November 1 to April 30 (as printed).
DWR stocking schedule rows for the Dan River
| Date | Water as listed | Category | Species |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2, 2026 | Dan River (Below Powerhouse) | A | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Tiger Trout |
| May 27, 2026 | Dan River (Below Powerhouse) | A | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Tiger Trout |
| May 7, 2026 | Dan River (Above Talbott) | B | Brook Trout |
| April 21, 2026 | Dan River (Below Powerhouse) | A | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Tiger Trout |
| April 14, 2026 | Dan River (Above Talbott) | B | Brook Trout |
| April 10, 2026 | Dan River (Below Powerhouse) | A | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout |
| March 24, 2026 | Dan River (Above Talbott) | B | Brook Trout |
| March 18, 2026 | Dan River (Below Powerhouse) | A | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout |
| March 7, 2026 | Dan River (Below Powerhouse) | A | Rainbow Trout |
| February 26, 2026 | Dan River (Above Talbott) | B | Brook Trout |
| February 18, 2026 | Dan River (Below Powerhouse) | A | Rainbow Trout |
| November 26, 2025 | Dan River (Below Powerhouse) | A | Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout |
By season, DWR logged 2026-27 1 date; 2025-26 12 dates; 2024-25 12 dates; 2023-24 12 dates for Dan River.
Where the 2026 trout plan puts the Dan River
| Water as printed | Locality as printed | Category | Meaning | National forest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan River (Above Talbott) | Patrick County | B | stocked 5 times between October 1 and May 15 | |
| Dan River (Below Powerhouse) | Patrick County | A | stocked 8 times between October 1 and May 31 |
Virginia DWR trout stocking schedule (date, county, water, category and species as listed; DWR prints no numbers or sizes), read November 6, 2026. 2026 Catchable Trout Stocking Plan (category letters as printed), read November 6, 2026.
How many fish leave the Dan River with you
| Species as printed | Applies to | Creel | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, Smallmouth Bass | statewide | 5 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Alabama, Spotted Bass | statewide | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
| Landlocked Striped Bass and Landlocked Striped Bass X White Bass Hybrids | statewide | 4 per day in the aggregate | No fish less than 20 inches |
| Striped Bass | Anadromous (coastal) striped bass above the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay and Crane Lake (City of Suffolk) | Creel and length limits shall be as set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for recreational fishing in tidal waters | no length limit printed |
| Striped Bass | Striped bass in the Meherrin, Nottoway, Blackwater (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest rivers and their tributaries plus Back Bay | No possession | no length limit printed |
| Walleye, Saugeye | statewide | 5 per day in the aggregate | No walleye or saugeye less than 18 inches |
| Sauger | statewide | 2 per day | No statewide length limits |
| White Bass | statewide | 5 per day | No statewide length limits |
| Chain Pickerel and Northern Pike | statewide | 5 per day | No statewide length limits |
| Muskellunge | statewide | 1 per day | No muskellunge less than 40 inches |
| Bluegill (bream) and other sunfish excluding Crappie, Rock Bass (redeye) and Roanoke Bass | statewide | 50 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Crappie (black or white) | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Rock Bass (redeye) | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate with Roanoke bass | No statewide length limits |
| Roanoke Bass | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate with rock bass | No statewide length limits |
| Perch (yellow and white) | statewide | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
| Trout | statewide | 6 per day | 7 inch minimum size |
| Channel, White, and Flathead | statewide | 20 per day | No length limits |
| Blue | statewide | 20 per day | No statewide length limits |
Start from the statewide table on Dan River, then read any water line.
- Trout
- The two special regulation sections of the Dan River require a free permit. The permit is required from Northbrook Virginia Hydro and can be obtained at no charge by calling the Pinnacles Powerhouse at 276-251-5141.
- Dan River (Patrick County) – Catch and Release section between the Pinnacles Powerhouse and Townes Dam.
- Dan River (Patrick County) – Trophy Trout water between Townes Reservoir and Talbott Dam.
- Trout
- 2 per day
- No trout less than 16 inches
- Catchable Trout Sections
- 6 per day in aggregate
- No fish less than 7 inches
- Hours: 5:00 am until one hour after sunset
- Black Bass
- (Largemouth and Smallmouth)
- 5 per day in aggregate
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
Digest departures from statewide rows on Dan River
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Dan River and tributaries downstream from the Union Street Dam, Danville | Largemouth, Smallmouth Bass | Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 14 inches |
Water-specific exceptions as printed, 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026.
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older. Designated stocked trout waters also need the $23 trout license from October 1 to June 15.
Statewide creel and length limits as printed (page updated August 17, 2026), 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026. Virginia license fees in the 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (licenses run one year from purchase unless noted), read November 6, 2026.
Moving water around the Dan River, in a table
| Stream | Distance | DWR access sites | USGS gauges | Stocked reaches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan River | this stream | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Laurel Fork | 3 miles west | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Round Meadow Creek | 4 miles southwest | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Poorhouse Creek | 7 miles southeast | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Rush Fork | 7 miles north | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Ararat River | 9 miles southwest | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations and Stocked Trout Reaches, USGS gauges; read November 6, 2026.
Close to Dan River on the Commonwealth map
More Virginia lakes within reach of Dan River
- Fairy Stone Lake15 miles
- Philpott Lake18 miles
- Lovill’s Creek Lake19 miles
- Claytor Lake25 miles
Stores with hooks, line and lures around Dan River
- Greasy Creek Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Willis, 10 miles
- Backwoods Outdoor Supplybait and tackle shop, Hillsville, 24 miles
A bed and a breakfast counter near Dan River
- Stuart9 miles, Patrick County
- Hillsville20 miles, Carroll County
- Collinsville25 miles, Henry County
Locality pages that take in Dan River
- Patrick Countycounty seat Stuart
Other Commonwealth streams by the Dan River
- Laurel Fork3 miles
- Round Meadow Creek4 miles
- Poorhouse Creek7 miles
- Rush Fork7 miles
- Ararat River9 miles
Piscifun tackle that suits Dan River
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Commonwealth fish worth recognizing at Dan River
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region, Public domain
Photo: rjp, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
The Dan River, asked and answered for Virginia anglers
Which localities does the Dan River cross?
Our records put it in Patrick County, about 9 miles from Stuart.
Where can I put a boat into the Dan River?
The DWR list has nothing close.
What swims in the Dan River?
The DWR list includes blue catfish, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, striped bass, walleye and white bass.
When is the Dan River stocked?
Yes: DWR lists 4 reaches in category A and B. Designated stocked trout waters require a trout license October 1 to June 15; urban waters November 1 to April 30 (as printed).
Is there a length limit on smallmouth in the Dan River?
The statewide digest row for largemouth and smallmouth bass reads: 5 per day in the aggregate (combined); No statewide length limits. The limits band adds its exception.
Can visitors fish the Dan River?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older. Designated stocked trout waters also need the $23 trout license from October 1 to June 15. Under-16 anglers are exempt.
What is the Dan River running at on the USGS gauge?
See 3 USGS gauges above, live.
Which Virginia bait counter sits closest to the Dan River?
Nearest in our list: Greasy Creek Outfitters (about 10 miles away).
Spend a cool Blue Ridge morning on the Dan River
Buy the license online first.