Shenandoah National Park (SNP) contains over 90 mountain streams and their minor tributaries that serve as high quality sources for three of Virginia’s ten major drainages: Potomac, Rappahannock, and James. Over 70 of these streams, including several within the Rappahannock County portion of SNP, support a thriving population of wild, native, eastern brook trout. Both beautiful and fun to catch, the eastern brook trout that call the SNP home, incredibly, are a vestige of the last Ice Age. Anglers pursuing these cold-water jewels must possess a Virginia resident or non-resident freshwater fishing license. Licenses can be obtained online from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, some Circuit Court clerks, and at hundreds of license agents around the state. You can use this License Agent Locator tool to find one near you.
All park streams are open to catch and release fishing although there are some exceptions to this rule. Complete rules and regulations for fishing within the boundaries of Shenandoah National Park can be found here.