Madison County is renowned for its stocked trout streams and native trout waters.
The pristine Rapidan River in the lower reaches of the Shenandoah National Park is one of Virginia’s premier native brook trout resources. Although featured in books and articles, The Rapidan, which is catch and release, remains an undisturbed and quiet area.
The upper portion of Garth Run in the Rapidan Wildlife area is another excellent native brook trout fishery. The stream can be reached from the Graves Mill area but much of it is accessible only by foot as the stream enters a steep gorge. Here only artificial lures may be used and there is a 9” minimum.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries stocks three streams in Madison County: the Hughes River, the Robinson River, and the Rose River. These are catchable trout streams with a limit of 5 fish and a 7” minimum size. The Hughes River generally parallels Nethers Road, the Robinson runs along Bohannon Road, and the Rose is adjacent to the Old Blue Ridge Turnpike. All three roads have little turnouts where one can park and access the river. Please be mindful of private land that is posted.
