Virginia
Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg
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
Sunday, 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
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
- 578 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.35 ft
- Water Temperature
- 83.1 °F
- Latest current reading
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 01668000 · 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
72°F
Feels like
77°F
Wind
6 mph W
Wind gust
10 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.01 in
Last 48 hours
0.03 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 74°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 12 PM
Overcast
Temp 84°F
Chance 13%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 4 PM
Overcast
Temp 86°F
Chance 20%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 8 PM
Overcast
Temp 80°F
Chance 19%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 74°F
Chance 16%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Drizzle
High 86°F / Low 70°F
Chance 21%
Precip 0.01 in
Max gust 19 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 84°F / Low 68°F
Chance 16%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 85°F / Low 60°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 87°F / Low 60°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 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 RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, VA (01668000). 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 freshwater / fall-line Fredericksburg reach. It is not tidal Rappahannock / Deltaville / Windmill Point.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Rappahannock 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
Freshwater Rappahannock corridor at the Fredericksburg USGS gage, above the estuarine Rappahannock. USGS 01668000 provides live water temperature, streamflow, and stage. This record does not represent tidal Rappahannock.
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 Fredericksburg Rappahannock reach.
Source: Virginia DWR
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Fall-line Rappahannock freshwater habitat at the Fredericksburg 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 Rappahannock system. Catalog coordinates are the USGS gage point, not a verified put-in pin.
Stocking information
Warmwater species are established on this freshwater Rappahannock reach. Confirm any current DWR stockings on official DWR pages.
Official sources
This destination is the Fredericksburg freshwater gauge reach only. Verify current Virginia DWR rules before fishing.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Stafford, 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
Stafford
Management Category
Warmwater river
Regulation Scope
Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg freshwater gauge reach
Regulation Summary
Virginia DWR freshwater regulations apply on this Rappahannock reach. Confirm current seasons, methods, and limits before fishing.
Target Species
Smallmouth Bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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