There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy around Alexandria, and fishing is one of them. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to fish from shore or a big lake where you can take the family out in the boat, you’re sure to find something. Grab the appropriate fishing license and gear and head out to these four secret fishing spots to check out near Alexandria, Virginia.
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Mason Neck State Park
Just a short distance away in Lorton, you’ll find the Mason Neck State Park. This is a full-service park with a picnic area, playground, hiking trails, three miles of paved multi-use trails, and a visitor center. There’s also a place to rent bicycles, kayaks, and canoes. The park offers access to Belmont Bay and Kane’s Creek for those looking to fish. You’ll find brackish and fresh fish at the end of your poles when you haul in the big one. Be sure you have a valid fishing license from either Maryland or Virginia before you cast away.
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Leesylvania State Park
Another great full-service park is the Leesylvania State Park in nearby Woodbridge. You can check out the visitor center and gift shop as well as purchase food at the snack bar and store as a part of your trip. Leesylvania offers a picnic area, hiking trails, and a playground, but the best part for those who wish to fish is the universally accessible fishing pier on the Potomac River. The Potomac is well-known for its bass, but there are also perch and catfish for the taking.
The park offers both a car-top launch for smaller boats, such as kayaks and canoes and a boat launch area that provides two separate ramps and sailboat hoists. Motorboats are allowed to launch from the park as well. If you don’t have your own boat, you can rent a sailboat from the Northern Virginia Sailing School at the park.
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Allen Pond Park
Crossing the state line into Maryland, you’ll discover Allen Pond Park and its 10-acre stocked pond. This park offers a fitness trail, picnic sites, two playgrounds, walking and biking trail, a fitness trail, ball fields, and a basketball court. It’s also where you’ll find the Bowie Ice Arena, Bowie Skate Park, and Robert V. Setera Amphitheater.
For those interested in fishing, the park offers boat rentals to help you get out on the pond. Please note that all anglers must have a valid Maryland fishing license with the added trout stamp to enjoy the pond, which is stocked several times a year by the Department of Natural Resources.
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Centennial Park
Centennial Park, located in Ellicott City, Maryland, is another excellent place to catch some fish. You can enjoy the pavilions, picnic area, 2.6-mile paved path, or the 7.3 miles of interconnecting trails. The park also offers concessions, general store items, and boat rental through the Adventure Shack & Rentals from spring to early fall. Castaway, and you may come up with a tiger muskie, sunfish, trout, or bass from the 54-acre man-made lake, stocked by the State Department of FIsheries.
Pack your tackle box, grab your fishing gear, and make sure you have the appropriate license, and then get out and fish.
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