Virginia
James River at Cartersville
Location Snapshot
James River at Cartersville is a large central Virginia mainstem reach flowing through the Piedmont toward Richmond. Smallmouth bass and catfish are principal targets across rocky shoals, deep runs, and broad river bends.
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Wednesday, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Why
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1740 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.86 ft
- Water Temperature
- 61.3 °F
- Latest current reading
- Oct 21, 2026, 1:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 02035000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
58°F
Feels like
53°F
Wind
6 mph N
Wind gust
11 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 8:00 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 6 AM
Clear
Temp 45°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 10 AM
Clear
Temp 56°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Wed 2 PM
Clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Wed 6 PM
Clear
Temp 62°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 73°F / Low 38°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 23 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Clear
High 67°F / Low 44°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Clear
High 71°F / Low 38°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 27 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Clear
High 65°F / Low 46°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 29 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
The James at Cartersville is in the middle James, from Bent Creek to Watkins Landing, a smallmouth bass fishery.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at James River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Virginia DWR
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Virginia DWR
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Official sources
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Cumberland, Virginia
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Cumberland
Management Category
Warmwater river
Regulation Scope
James River at Cartersville freshwater gauge reach.
Regulation Summary
Virginia DWR freshwater regulations apply on this James River reach. Confirm current seasons, methods, and limits before fishing.
Target Species
Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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