Clinch River (#1)

Large and Smallmouth Bass, Spotted and Rock Bass, Walleye, Sauger*, Black Crappie, Redbreast and Longear Sunfish, Longnose Gar, Musky/Muskie, Freshwater Dum, Redhorse Sucker**, Carp, Bluegill

The Clinch River rises near Tazewell, Virginia, and flows southwest for more than 300 miles through the Great Appalachian Valley, gathering various tributaries, including the Powell River, before joining the Tennessee River in Kingston, Tennessee. The Virginia portion is the crown jewel of SWVA traveling over 135 miles, through portions of Tazewell, Russell, Wise, and Scott counties. The Clinch is the most biodiverse waterway this side of the Amazon River. It is home to about 50 species of mussels, which is more than any other river in the world and over 100 species are non-game fish – minnows and darters that sport brilliant colors and play a vital role in the survival of other fish and mussel species. But, the variety of sport fish is what makes the Clinch the perfect destination for anglers.

Access/Float Points  

Blackford to Puckett Hole
Distance: 7.3 miles  Gradient: 10.6 ft/mile
Blackford Bridge Boat Launch, Co Rd 641, Honaker, VA 24260 to New Garden, Virginia – Google Maps

Puckett Hole to Nash’s Ford
Distance: 9 mile  Gradient: 17.2 ft/mile
36.9699700, -82.0137880 to Castlewood, Virginia – Google Maps

Nash’s Ford to Cleveland
Distance: 8 miles  Gradient: 7.1 ft/mile
36.9670850, -82.0790860 to 36.9404250, -82.1598820 – Google Maps

Cleveland to Carterton
Distance: 7.5 miles  Gradient: 3.0 ft/mile
36.9398770, -82.1597100 to 36.9152100, -82.2215040 – Google Maps

Carterton to Saint Paul
Distance: 8 miles  Gradient: 2.5 ft/mile
Carterton Boat Launch, Co Rd 614, Lebanon, VA 24266 to 36.9030760, -82.3075820 – Google Maps

Saint Paul to Burton’s Ford 
Distance: 4.2 miles  Gradient: 1.6 ft/mile
36.9030760, -82.3075820 to 36.8888200, -82.3390960 – Google Maps

Burton’s Ford to Miller’s Yard
Distance: 7.1 miles  Gradient: 11.5 ft/mile
36.8907420, -82.3394390 to 36.8549300, -82.4265000 – Google Maps

Miller’s Yard to Dungannon
Distance: 3.7 miles  Gradient: 10 ft/mile
36.8541450, -82.4265580 to 36.8310810, -82.4621950 – Google Maps

Dungannon to Route 659
Distance: Variable  Gradient: 10 ft/mile
36.8310810, -82.4621950 to 36.8253630, -82.4621770 – Google Maps

Route 659 to Fort Blackmore
Distance: 8 miles  Gradient: 3.1 ft/mile
36.8252610, -82.4620980 to VA-72, Virginia – Google Maps

Fort Blackmore to Hill Station
Distance: 7.9 miles  Gradient: 1.9 ft/mile
VA-72, Virginia to 5, Virginia – Google Maps

Hill Station to Clinchport 
Distance: 5.2 miles  Gradient: 2.0 ft/mile
36.7248200, -82.6431070 to 36.6788830, -82.7414700 – Google Maps

Clinchport to Speer’s Ferry
Distance: 2 miles  Gradient: 3.2 ft/mile
36.6780570, -82.7397540 to 36.6413900, -82.7182000 – Google Maps

Speer’s Ferry to State Line
Distance: 9 miles  Gradient: 2.5 ft/mile
36.6396360, -82.7386380 to 36.6151360, -82.8373370 – Google Maps

For detailed information about the access  points, river terrain, specific fishing detail, and more, visit https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/clinch-river/

Cranesnest River (#5)

37.212051 -82.376259, Clintwood
Walleye, Trout

Located just 6.1 miles from Clintwood, from Route 637 to the Flanagan Reservoir Cranesnest Launch Ramp in Dickenson County, a distance of approximately 10.7 miles, is designated as the Cranesnest State Scenic River, a component of the Virginia Scenic Rivers System. The Cranesnest River Trail follows the river, from its trailhead in Clintwood, running several miles in length to the river’s confluence with John W. Flanagan Reservoir. The trail meanders alongside the river in some areas, but climbs upward along a bench that overlooks the river as well. Parts of this trail traverse old-growth hardwood forests, rhododendron thickets, and river bottom woodlands.

Dismal River (#8)

37.234419, -82.040767, Rt 638/Dismal River Rd, Oakwood
Brown and Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass

Another waterway that may be categorized either a stream or river, locals side with river so we will too. Located east of Vansant, the Dismal River is part of the 2021 Catchable Trout Stocking Plan and a beautiful spot to cast from the bank or wade in.

Guest River (#3)

36.923240, -82.451440, Guest River Gorge
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Redbreast Sunfish

The Guest River is actually a short tributary of the Clinch River and flows for nearly its entire length in Wise County. It rises in the north-central part of the county and flows initially south-southeastwardly to the city of Norton; then eastwardly to the town of Coeburn; then southeastwardly for the remainder of its course. It flows into the Clinch on the common boundary of Wise and Scott Counties. Portions of the river traverse through the Jefferson National Forest. The Guest River’s lower course below Coeburn is paralleled by the Guest River Gorge Trail, formerly the Interstate Railroad.

Levisa River (#7)

37.277818, -82.100422, Rt 460/Riverside Drive, Grundy
Smallmouth Bass, KY Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish

The Levisa Fork/River  is a tributary of the Big Sandy River, approximately 164 miles long, in southwestern Virginia and eastern Kentucky. It rises in the Appalachian Mountains of southwestern Virginia, in eastern Buchanan County, near Grundy and flows through downtown.

Pound River (#4)

37.19646, -82.44012, Pound River Campground, Clintwood
Brown and Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass

This river runs from the North Fork Pound Reservoir to the John W. Flannagan Dam.  The Pound River below Flannagan Dam is the largest tail-water trout fishery in southwest Virginia. The cold-water release from the dam provides a unique habitat that is suitable for trout in this 1.6-mile stretch of the Pound River, before it empties into the Russell Fork River. DWR manages this unique resource to provide both stocked trout and special regulation trout fishing opportunities. The first 0.4 miles directly below the dam is a stocked trout area and is managed as part of the Virginia catchable trout program. This section is a category “A” stocked trout water and is stocked with legal size trout (7 inches or larger) eight times from October through May. The remaining 1.2-miles below the stocked area begins at a sign posted on the riverbank that marks the start of the special regulation section.