North Fork Shenandoah River fishing

How North Fork Shenandoah River is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of January. In 2026 it was January 15, 2026, about when it usually is.

Happy Creek (0.1 mi), Passage Creek (5 mi), Paddy Run (15.6 mi), and Stony Creek (21.2 mi) were stocked more recently. Happy Creek is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Tiger Trout, and Brook Trout, Passage Creek is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Tiger Trout, Paddy Run is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Brown Trout, and Stony Creek is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Tiger Trout.

Fishing North Fork Shenandoah River

Fishing in the North Fork Shenandoah River is affected by environmental concerns. Mercury contamination is present in the fish population, with levels remaining stable. The river has also experienced several springtime fish kills that affected native fish species, including redbreast sunfish and smallmouth bass. Additionally, two species of sucker suffered from lesions.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

Anglers should be aware that mercury is present in the fish population of the river today, and that mercury levels remain stable. The Shenandoah River has experienced several springtime fish kills since 2005, affecting native fish species such as redbreast sunfish and smallmouth bass, and also two species of sucker which suffered from lesions.

What anglers say

According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDOH), it is not safe to consume more than two fish per month which are caught on the Shenandoah River in Page, Warren, Augusta, or Rockingham counties. The VDOH also states it is not safe to consume any species except trout caught between Waynesboro and Grottoes, Virginia due to elevated mercury levels.