South River
The South River flows through the City of Waynesboro and is the home wanted of Shenandoah Valley Trout Unlimited. This river has been a year/round catch-and-release fishery since 2018. If you’re looking for a put-and-take section, you should visit Ridgeview Park.
There are two South Rivers that originate in Augusta County. One of them is behind as St. Marys River and flows into the Maury River, and the other one starts near the village of Greenville and flows around 50 miles north, and meets the North River to form the South Fork Shenandoah River.
Don’t let the fact that the South River is an urban fishery put you off. This river gets tremendous hatches all year. Of particular note is the sulfur hatch that starts in April and ends in June. There is also a terrific trico hatch from May-July. BWOs and Midges keep the fish rising all winter.
This river harbors a good amount of redbreast sunfish, smallmouth bass, fallfish, rock bass, and even largemouth bass from Lyndhurst downstream to the Port Republic’s North River. Angles might also catch green sunfish, bluegill, carp, black crappie, channel catfish, or white sucker while exploring the river.
The South River can be characterized as a low-gradient, small, meandering stream. As it reaches the City of Waynesboro, large springs start to cool the river, increase productivity, and increase flow. This river offers fishing opportunities for cold water (trout) and warm water.