Woods & Waters Magazine

08/23/2026

Dove hunters take note…

There are only 6 spots left for the dove hunt sep 7th

08/23/2026

Always fun to fish the Chickahominy River. We launched from Rockahock Campground and targeted tidal largemouth in grass and lily pads. Water was 86-87. Upper river clear. Lower muddy.

08/21/2026

DWR has the green light to raise license fees. It’s been a while since they did.

PRESS RELEASE: VIRGINIA BOARD OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES APPROVES FEE INCREASES & WILDLIFE & BOATING REGULATIONS

Richmond, VA — At its regularly scheduled August meeting, the Board of Wildlife Resources approved several wildlife, fisheries, and boating regulations. In addition, the board approved increases to certain fees related to hunting, fishing, trapping, and boating and a new fee for primitive camping on Department owned wildlife management areas.

The proposed Stocked Trout Management Plan was endorsed by the Board. The original plan proposed by DWR in May was a 10-year management plan and after the public comment period and further staff review a five-year management plan was presented by staff and endorsed by the Board. The plan includes a 35% reduction in trout stocking statewide.

These approvals came after a 30-day public comment period during which the Department received a total of 1835 comments on proposed regulations and fee increases as well as the Stocked Trout Management Plan. Out of those, 972 comments specifically related to the proposed fee increases.

Fee Increases:
Effective Oct. 1, 2026, most resident hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, as well as boat registration and titling fees will increase by $5. Licenses for youth, apprentice, disabled veterans, and disabled participants will not increase. Boating related fees have not increased since 2019 and hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses have not increased since 2012. A $10 fee to camp on Department-owned lands will also go into effect on Oct. 1, 2026.

Wildlife:
Approved changes include updating the lists of federally threatened and endangered species and of native and naturalized fauna in Virginia, adding and removing species from the state list of endangered and threatened species, clarifying the start of bear hound training season, changing the release date for rehabilitated deer fawns via permittees, and adjustments to the elk special conservation license program. Some of these changes will become effective on Oct. 1, 2026, while others will become effective on Jan. 1, 2027.

Fisheries:
Fisheries regulatory changes include a prohibition on stocking flathead catfish and rock bass, limiting the waters in which certain gear can be used to collect bait, updating the definition of “fish bait,” as well as changes to some local trout regulations. These changes will become effective on Jan. 1, 2027.

Boating:
Boating regulations include clarifying language related to vessel operation and waterway markers, adoption of the federal requirement for children under the age of 13 to wear a life jacket when underway, and adoption of the federal requirement for the use of engine cut-off switches. These changes will become effective on Jan. 1, 2027.

View the full press release for a complete breakdown on all proposed fee adjustments. Link in the comments.

08/18/2026

Back Bay and Northeast River heating up again... 22-lb. limit here.

08/18/2026

Love seeing new things from our local tackle retailers like Bobcat's Bait & Tackle down at Kerr Reservoir/Buggs Island! This Chain Worm looks like a winner.

08/18/2026

Rick Fawley was a friend of W2 and a huge supporter of the NVKBA - Northern Virginia Kayak Bass Anglers. Great idea!

Registration is now open for the Rick Fawley Legacy Tournament!

Join us on Saturday, August 29th at Lake Anna, VA as we honor the life and legacy of our friend, Rick Fawley.

This charity tournament is open to all kayak and canoe anglers, and no NVKBA membership is required. The event follows standard NVKBA tournament rules with a simplified format featuring a 3-fish limit and 12-inch minimum.

Event Details
- August 29, 2026
- Lake Anna, VA
- 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Any public launch on Lake Anna is permitted
- $25 Entry Fee (plus applicable Fishing Chaos fee for non-subscribers)

Every dollar raised will go directly toward purchasing brand-new kayaks to be given away to children during the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Youth Sportsman's Day on September 12th at Lake Curtis.

Rick was a tremendous advocate for getting people outdoors and introducing others to the sport of kayak fishing (and fishing in general!). We can't think of a better way to honor his legacy than by helping put kayaks into the hands of the next generation.

Even if you can't make the tournament, we encourage you to register if you're able. Your entry fee will be treated as a donation, and every contribution helps us get one step closer to giving away another kayak. If you don't have a Fishing Chaos account, no worries. Any outside donations can be accepted via the club PayPal ([email protected]).

A huge thank you to the sponsors who have already donated prizes in lieu of cash payouts. If you or your business would like to support this event through prize donations or sponsorship, please contact Mike Ortega Jr. via Facebook Messenger or email [email protected].

Registration: https://app.fishingchaos.com/tournament/yY8vydDR6WADLYRGMyrl

Let's honor Rick's legacy by giving more kids the opportunity to experience the outdoors and discover a lifelong passion for fishing.

08/15/2026

Wondering about the bass fishing on the tidal Rappahannock River? It’s pretty good with far less pressure than other Virginia brackish waters.

It had been a few years since I joined noted Rappahannock River angler Bruce Lee for one of his awesome ride-alongs. The knowledge that man has

08/10/2026

Here's the August edition W2 Profile on Mike Ortega, founder of the NVKBA - Northern Virginia Kayak Bass Anglers...

  This month we caught up with a very busy Mike Ortega, founder/tournament director of Northern Virginia Kayak Bass Anglers (NVKBA). The 39-year-old

08/07/2026

Fishing Pro Tech in Toano, Virginia has some great, new frogs and waking crank baits perfect for late summer grass fishing as well as a healthy supply of urchins, Berkley Chop Blocks and Megabass baits.

08/04/2026

W2 Pro Team member Ed Hall with an 8-1 he caught today using one of his Deep Ledge Custom Lures Baby Bait Shakers -a lure featured in our Destination File article this month detailing our visit to the tidal Rappahannock River.