Get Pre-Approval Now

Oct 27, 2023

Pulaski, VA is steeped in history and filled with friendly residents. Opportunities for outdoor activities abound, and fishing is one of the most popular activities in the area. Today, we’re looking at our favorite fishing spots within driving distance of town.

1. Claytor Lake State Park

Our favorite place to fish in the Pulaski area is Claytor Lake State Park at 6620 Ben H. Bolen Dr. The 4,500-acre Craytor Lake is home to many fish species, including spotted bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and carp. You can also find Alabama bass in this lake. You can fish from a universally-accessible fishing pier or you can fish along roughly three miles of lake frontage.

You are allowed to fish from any stretch of shoreline within the park except for in the cabin and beach areas. Boating is also allowed on Claytor Lake, and motorboats are permitted as long as they do not exceed 24 feet long. If you’re camping in this state park, you don’t have to pay a fee to use the launch ramp.

2. New River Trail State Park

New River Trail State Park at 116 Orphanage Dr is another great place to fish within driving distance of Pulaski. This park is open every day from daybreak to nightfall, and you can rent boats from 8:30 to 5:30 daily. If you don’t want to rent a boat or tow your own, you can fish from the peaceful bank of ​New River.

One thing we love about fishing in this state park is the diversity of fish species that can be found here. You can expect to find bluegill, redbreast sunfish, yellow perch, and black crappie. You should also not be surprised to catch channel catfish and flathead catfish. Other ​fish that can be caught here include:

  • Striped bass
  • Smallmouth bass
  • Spotted bass
  • Largemouth bass

3. Pipestem Resort State Park

We also recommend fishing at Pipestem Resort State Park at 3405 Pipestem Dr. This ​state park allows you to fish in the New River or Bluestone River or on Long Branch Lake. However, you will need a West Virginia fishing license to fish here. You can purchase a West Virginia fishing license from the ​official DNR website.

There are also over a dozen hiking trails that you can enjoy here. We love the steep 0.7-mile canyon rim trail that descends to an enormous sandstone outcropping.

There are many great places you can go to fish in the Pulaski area. However, you need a dependable vehicle, like a 2022 Ford Explorer, to reach these places. To take a reliable Explorer for a test drive, visit us at Duncan Suzuki today.