Virginia
James River at Cartersville
Current River Rating
Excellent · 90
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
Sunday, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1770 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.33 ft
- Water Temperature
- 85.6 °F
- Latest current reading
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 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
71°F
Feels like
76°F
Wind
4 mph W
Wind gust
12 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.27 in
Last 48 hours
0.27 in
Some recent rainfall may begin influencing river conditions.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 70°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 12 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 85°F
Chance 14%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 4 PM
Overcast
Temp 90°F
Chance 24%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 8 PM
Overcast
Temp 81°F
Chance 17%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sun 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 74°F
Chance 24%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Drizzle
High 90°F / Low 68°F
Chance 24%
Precip 0.02 in
Max gust 20 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 79°F / Low 69°F
Chance 30%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 86°F / Low 63°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 21 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 87°F / Low 60°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 25 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
USGS streamgage JAMES RIVER AT CARTERSVILLE, VA (02035000). Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. App-supported continuous parameters currently available: water temperature (00010), streamflow (00060), and gage height (00065). This destination is the bounded Piedmont freshwater Cartersville reach above the Richmond fall line. It is not James River near Richmond (02037500) and not tidal Hampton Roads.
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
Fishery overview
Virginia's flagship inland warmwater James River corridor at the Cartersville USGS gage. Smallmouth bass and catfish are the bounded freshwater targets on this Piedmont reach. USGS 02035000 provides live water temperature, streamflow, and stage. This record does not represent the Richmond fall-line reach or tidal James.
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
Smallmouth bass are the primary freshwater target on the Cartersville James River corridor.
Source: Virginia DWR
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- unknown
- Confidence
- High confidence
Channel catfish are a common warmwater target on this Piedmont James reach.
Source: Virginia DWR
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Piedmont James River freshwater mainstem habitat at the Cartersville gauge corridor.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public access is documented by Virginia DWR for the James River system. Catalog coordinates are the USGS gage point, not a verified put-in pin.
Stocking information
Warmwater species are established on this James freshwater reach. Confirm any current DWR stockings on official DWR pages.
Official sources
This destination is the Cartersville gauge reach only. Verify current Virginia DWR freshwater rules before fishing.
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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