Occoquan River Kayak Launch Options

I was reading a post on Tidal Fish about Yellow Perching on the Occoquan and it lite up the dim bulb in my head. Maybe i could sneak over there on day this week or next and forgo the 2 hr drive to the susky.

Now the question is does anyone know of a launch site on the Occoquan river? I know there are several marinas there but i think they are all private.

[mmanolis2001]

Looks like i found my spot at Occoquan Regional park. I might have to give this a try. Hopefully the boat traffic through that section is calmed down during the winter.

[ictalurus]

I've launched there. The park is nice, and the can is clean. There can be a lot of boats fishing during the perch run, but most of the area is a no-wake zone, which is kayak-friendly. It's $5 for out-of-towners to launch at the park.

There are a couple of marinas and restaurants on the other side of the river. A guy I know from tidalfish launches at one for free, but I'm not sure exactly which one.

The same guy catches lots of crappie there, and I've heard rumors of walleye up by the rocks above the town of Occoquan. I've fished that area but didn't have any luck. The shad run can be decent, too, I'm told.

I think there is a consumption advisory for perch, though.

For perch, the go-to lure seems to be jigging blades, particularly 3/8oz silver with chartreuse sticker Cicadas.

I want to hit that area soon, but I'm not sure when I'll be able to.

[surfdog]

is that tidal?

[mmanolis2001]

Yep below the Damn is Tidal.

I think i might give it a go on Sat weather permitting. i need to get on the water bad.

[ictalurus]

If you go this weekend, I heard the perch were holding between the park and the 95 bridge. If not there, try down by the railroad bridge. This is all second hand info, though.

[mmanolis2001]

If you go this weekend, I heard the perch were holding between the park and the 95 bridge. If not there, try down by the railroad bridge. This is all second hand info, though.

Excellent I will give that area a go around. Do you remember how deep it gets in there? I have never fished that area before.

[Redfish12]

I can't make it this weekend but I've been eying that area, lots of good crappie fishing back there too. I'm excited for the shad run to start next month too.

[tj06sti]

I am heading out there this weekend myself, had planned to hit it soon as I discovered the yellow perch run a few days in an article and saw the nice weather coming up.

[ictalurus]

IIRC it gets to be about 30ft deep, or so, down by the bridges, but the fish won't always be in the deepest water. I would start in about 10ft and work my way deeper.

The shad run won't start there until about April. I have my best luck in the Rappahannock in mid to late April most years.

[mmanolis2001]

How is the Shad run thru there in April? That might be my shad spot this year if i cant get my truck with the Kayak on top thru the tunnel at Fletcher's

[Redfish12]

Oh man, I just realized that. I can't launch at fletchers... Need to work on a new spot.

Last year I started catching hickories around the third week of march right at chain bridge. Not as heavy as later in april, but way better than being inside. Besides, there are a ton of gizzards and white perch up there too, maybe even a walleye or smallie. Snakeheads too!

[mmanolis2001]

I just realized that yesterday while planning my trips this spring. I had all sorts of plans for Fletcher's.

1. Shad on the fly rod.
2. Live lining herring while anchored up for those big rocks.
3. Drifting herring strips and chunks for rocks and big blue cats.
4. Spring White perch run.

Then i remembered that creepy little tunnel under the C&O canal.

I emailed Fletcher's for the height of the tunnel in the center. Maybe there will be enough room to fit thru there if i drive down the center of the tunnel.

I know there is a top parking lot on the canal there bu i don't even want to think of the portage required to get the kayak and gear from there to the water.

[Redfish12]

I think with my cart it could still be ok? Man leaving that driveway sucks too. There is the c&o parking futher up around the bridge too. Long cart to the water there too. Va side is like a sheer wall, barely a way to get to be water as is. Hmmm, maybe down river and paddle up? Key bridge launch?

[ictalurus]

My go-to spot for shad is the Rappahannock in Fredericksburg. I wade fish there. Lots of guys fly fish there. I've done a little bit but didn't have much luck. I like to keep away from crowds, so the spots I fish have much faster current that kind of precludes fly fishing unless I had awesome mending skills. If you wanted to fish from a yak, you could launch at City Docks park and paddle up and work likely holes. I thought about doing that but haven't yet.

I don't know much about the shad run in the Occoquan since I always hit the Rapp for my shad fix. It's an easier shot for me coming from SoMD. I've only fished the Occoquan a few times with my father, which resulted in skunks since it was always too early.

The key for shad on the Rapp is to fish at sun up or sunset, on cloudy days, or when the water is slightly stained. They seem to be really sensitive to light there. I usually try to get there around 3-4pm to beat the traffic, but then I hang out on the river for 3-4hrs with no action until the light dies down. I've caught white perch, lmb, crappie, sunfish, and a 4-5lb channel cat there in addition to American and hickory shad. I haven't had as much luck there the past few years because the drought keeps the water low, and my spots get pretty shallow. If you wade, you'll want a good pair of wading shoes because the rocks can be slicker than in a trout stream, and the current will be fast in good fishing conditions.