South River fishing

How South River is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of January. In 2026 it was January 13, 2026, earlier than usual.

North River (0 mi) and Silver Lake (11.4 mi) were stocked more recently. North River is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Tiger Trout, and Brown Trout and Silver Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Tiger Trout.

Fishing South River

The South River, which helps form the South Fork Shenandoah River, has known environmental concerns impacting fishing. Fish in many sections of the Shenandoah River, including the South River area between Waynesboro and Grottoes, have elevated mercury levels. The South Fork Shenandoah River has also experienced fish kills affecting native species like redbreast sunfish and smallmouth bass.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

Anglers should be aware of elevated mercury levels in fish caught from the South River. The South Fork Shenandoah River, fed by the South River, has also experienced fish kills where species like redbreast sunfish and smallmouth bass died from lesions caused by bacteria and fungi.

What anglers say

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