Ancarrow’s Landing

🅿️ Parking: 1200 Brander St, Richmond, VA 23224 [https://goo.gl/maps/1pwEptvkuKeYMK3F6]

⭐ Accessibility rating: 10/10

🛶 Kayak/canoe launch: There is a proper boat ramp to launch all types of boats (motor, kayak and canoe)

🐟 What to expect: Shore fishing with a bit limited mobility

🍨 Inside scoop… A must go for early season shad fishing

The Details:

What used to be a major slave trading port from 1830 through the 1860s, Ancarrow’s Landing is a historic park for walkers, anglers and all types of people to explore and learn about Richmond’s history. Aside from its role during the Civil War, the park offers a beautiful hiking trail for people to walk on that meanders along the river. The main fishing section of the park is located a few hundred yards to the left from the parking area. The fishing zone is marked by a grassy area that will 9 times out of 10 have at least one person casting a line. There are typically a lot of people fishing deep, bottom rigs for catfish at Ancarrow’s, but when March comes around, the spot is lined with anglers going for the ferocious shad! I love going to this section early on because it’s so accessible and usually productive during shad season. I also love launching my small jon boat here because it’s not too crowded and provides the closest access to the best shad fishing zones on our part of the river.

On a weekend in April, this spot can get a bit overcrowded, so fishing somewhere closer to the 14th St. section is probably a better move. Another great aspect of this spot is that it’s really deep, which prevents a lot of snags. When fishing for shad here, fish slowly and cast at 10 o’clock (picture a clock on the river) to ensure your shad rig gets to the right depth.

There’s also another fun and productive spot about 1/2 mile downriver from the parking lot where a drainage spits out into the river. I haven’t fished this section too much, but I have seen a lot of great photos from the confluence and have seen a 10 pound largemouth lurking in these waters. Give it a go, and maybe you’ll finally catch that fish of your lifetime!

Local tip: Try to inch your way down to the rock located at the furtherest upriver portion of the fishing zone. The further up, the deeper!

If we were stuck with one lure: A deep diving crankbait or a shad spoon!