Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Sep to May
Check Price Maker's Page
Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
New River (Radford) Fishing Guide
Virginia
The New River in Virginia from Claytor Dam to the West Virginia line, with a flourishing smallmouth bass population and, between Claytor Dam and Radford, some of the best musky water DWR samples.
Part of the New River.
Photo: Idawriter via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the New River (Radford) for smallmouth bass and muskellunge. No agency season found for the species here.
There are 9 shops nearby (3 fly, 6 bait and tackle), including Academy Sports + Outdoors in Christiansburg. Also nearby: Smith Mountain Lake.
Season at a Glance
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Smallmouth Bass
Muskellunge
Legend
This Month Spawning No Agency Season Found
Spawning: Virginia DWR: Smallmouth Bass; Muskellunge
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need a Virginia fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
Parts of the New River
- Main PageNew RiverThe New River from Virginia, where DWR forecasts smallmouth bass, walleye and musky above and below Claytor Lake, to West Virginia's New River Gorge.
- Rivers & Streams · VirginiaNew River (Fries)The New River in Virginia above Claytor Lake, where DWR expects high catch rates of smallmouth bass and calls walleye bountiful from Fries Dam down to Claytor Lake.
- Rivers & Streams · Virginia · You're HereNew River (Radford)The New River in Virginia from Claytor Dam to the West Virginia line, with a flourishing smallmouth bass population and, between Claytor Dam and Radford, some of the best musky water DWR samples.
- Rivers & Streams · West VirginiaNew River (New River Gorge)A big, rocky river through the New River Gorge, one of the best known destinations for trophy smallmouth, walleye and musky.
New River (Radford) Species
Species per Virginia DWR.
Images: Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Smallmouth Bass
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 6 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 6 or 7 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 6 or 7 wt.Check Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Fly for October · #2/0-6Clouser MinnowSee Options
- Fly for October · #6-10Crayfish FlySee Options
Spin / Cast
7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodSt. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod · 7 ft 0 in, medium, fast, 6 to 12 lb line, 1 pieceCheck Price
- ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · 2500Check Price
- LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 8 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 2.5 to 3 inNed Rig · Z-Man Ned Rig KitCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitCheck Price
- Lure for November · 2.75 to 3.5 inTube Jig · Strike King Tube JigsCheck Price
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near New River (Radford):
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, ChristiansburgWebsite
- The Honey Hole Bait and Tackle, SalemWebsite
- Roanoke Angler, RoanokeWebsite
Map of New River (Radford)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
No agency season found for the species here.
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
55°F high, 32°F low
About 2.8 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
2,629 cfs
Most years 1,462 cfs to 5,565 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 4 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 03171000, 1939 to 2026.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: May
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jun to Aug
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on New River (Radford)
Source: Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near New River (Radford)
Farther Out
Guides and Charters Near New River (Radford)
Farther Out
GuideFly Fishing
Lucky Strips Fly Co.
Bassett, Virginia
Per their website: Smallmouth Bass, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, River Trips
Guide
Clint's Striper Guide Service
Union Hall, Virginia
2200 Old Salem School Rd 540-493-9660
Per their website: Striped Bass, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Charter
Squid Hound Fishing Charters
Hardy, Virginia
Per their website: Striped Bass, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Lake Trips
Guide
Spikes' Prime Time Fishing
Moneta, Virginia
4067 Hales Ford Rd 540-297-5611
Per their website: Striped Bass
Charter
Rockfish Adventures, Llc
Moneta, Virginia
16475 Booker T Washington Hwy 540-256-2571
Per their website: Striped Bass, Half-Day Trips, Lake Trips
