Park Authority

Fishing is a sport that everyone can participate in and brings many people pleasure. Fish is also one of the healthiest dinners people may choose to eat. Our fisheries are not a finite resource, so we must learn to protect them to ensure that future generations may enjoy the sport. Here are a couple of tips to follow that will help each angler be a steward of the angling community.

• Practice catch and release. Catch a fish and return the fish immediately to the water for others to enjoy.
• C.P.R. - If you are a tournament angler, participate in tournaments that focus on “catching” the fish, “photographing” the fish, and then “releasing” the fish immediately without putting them in a livewell.
• Responsible Tournament Angling. Participate in tournaments that use “no puncture” culling tools and sponsored by organizations that have a reputation for releasing fish at the weigh-in in a responsible and respectful manner and promote conservation of fisheries.
• If planning on keeping fish for table fare, fish larger bodies of water and only keep what you need for a single meal or two.
• If keeping fish, keep fish that are not of breeding or mature sized if they are legal to keep. The mature fish are important as reproducers, so that more fish can breed and be available to younger and new generations.
• Be aware that smaller bodies of water can be over-harvested faster than larger bodies of water.
• When practicing catch and release, keep the fish out of water for the shortest amount of time. Take your time in reviving fish that may be tired from being caught.
• Remember when sharing your favorite fishing places that smaller bodies of water are more susceptible to fishing pressure than larger bodies of water.
• Remember to take time to clean up trash at your favorite fishing hole.
• Remember to share your favorite conservation ideas with new anglers.

By Jordan Jenkins.

As the cooler weather comes along, some people may think fishing in Fairfax County is over, but the bite is just getting started! Fall is one of the best times of the year to get out on the water and catch some fish. In the fall, it is common for fish to begin stocking up and feeding more so they can get nice and big before the winter. Before getting out on the water in the fall months, there’s a few tips and tricks to the trade that can help you make fall your favorite fishing season.

First, fall is when temperatures begin dropping so the appropriate wear is important. Find a decent hoodie and long comfy pants, so you can stay warm out on the water; on the windy days I recommend finding a full-face gaiter and a pair of opened-fingered gloves to keep your hands warm and fingers accessible for tying knots.

Some of the better species of fish to target in the Fairfax area include but are not limited to largemouth bass, crappie, walleye, muskellunge (or musky) and perch. All these species can be found in local waters, such as Burke Lake, or in areas such as the Occoquan reservoir and Potomac River. When targeting largemouth bass in the fall, some of my favorite lures to use would be crankbaits or Jigs with some sort of creature-like trailer. Find areas that have steep drop-off, where these fish will stage from shallow to deep. Fishing for crappie and perch is a little bit different; smaller and lighter tackle is recommended so you can use small inline spinner baits and small jig heads down to 1/16th of an ounce. Finding crappie can be challenging; usually they group up together around submerged structure, but when you find one, there is most likely many more hanging around! Larger fish such as musky and walleye can be a bit challenging and take a lot of patience, but part of the fun is finding these deep-water fish. Look for deep points in lakes and steep drops, where these game fish can find great ambush points.

Overall, don’t let the cooler weather stop you from getting out on the water and finding the fish and having some fun. If you keep in mind safety first and keeping yourself and the little ones warm, fall is a great time of year to get outside and observe as the seasons change. While fishing in the fall, don’t forget to immerse yourself in every aspect. Look at the birds that are more common this time of year and which trees change colors. Try learning something new every time you go out for a fishing trip or maybe practicing some new fishing knots.

By Dan Grulke.

Fairfax County lakes offer a variety of species from bass to bluegill. These fish have preferences, so you may need to choose specific baits to entice the fish you are trying to catch.

Using basic tackle and techniques, here are a few tips and tricks on targeting specific fish.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass can be found in most lakes in Virginia and the U.S. They are one of the most targeted freshwater species of fish out there. There are many ways to catch these fish, which have been proven effective.

These fish usually range anywhere from 1 to 5 pounds, and they can put up quite the fight. One of the simplest methods to targeting these fish is by using soft plastic baits that look like worms, crayfish, smaller fish or any other insect/creature bait with some sort of action, such as a curly tail.

There are several ways to rig these baits. One of the easiest methods would be to hook the bait on a weighted hook and cast these toward brush piles, laydowns, grass beds or any other form of structure in the water where these bass can sit on. Then, you wait and ambush them. Another great method for catching largemouth bass would be to use live, bait such as nightcrawlers, minnows or live shad.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass can be targeted in various rivers throughout the area, including Riverbend Park. These fish are known to be smaller than largemouth on average, but they fight just as hard, if not harder.

These are commonly targeted using a variation of moving lures to attract them. Some great lures to catch smallmouth bass include jigs with plastic trailers and bladed baits -- which provide a flash while moving through the water -- creature baits. Lures that can be used for largemouth bass also work great, as long as the hook size is not too large.

These fish can be targeted by casting toward rocks or large structure that provide ambush points for the fish. Then, reel in the lure at moderate to moderate-fast speed.

Crappie

Crappie can be targeted at most lakes in Fairfax County, and they are one of the easiest fish to target during the colder months and in spring time.

These fish are usually found schooled up around submerged tree limbs and underwater structure, where they can find shelter and ambush territory.

The best lures to target these fish are small jigs and bladed baits that flash as they move through the water. Casting around a structure and retrieving small flashy lures at a slow tempo are the best ways to target crappie.

Catfish

Channel catfish are one of the most common fish in Fairfax County lakes, and they can be one of the easiest fish to target, as well as the largest. These bottom-feeders are more commonly caught on the bottom, feeding on fresh baits. But they will occasionally strike a lure, as well.

The best set up for catfish would be a strong hook or a circle hook with a lead weight attached above, which can slide up and down the line. This allows the bait to sit at the bottom, where the catfish are feeding.

Sunfish, Bluegill and Panfish

Sunfish are one of the most common and easiest fish to target wherever you go fishing in Fairfax County. These hand-sized fish can be caught using very small hooks and small pieces of worm, bread or any live bait. Tying a small hook using a clinch knot and securing a bobber about 1 to 2 feet above the hook have proven to be one of the most effective rigs for catching these fish. They are most commonly found closer to the banks of the shore, where they can stay out of reach for larger predators. These fish can also be caught on small lures, such as jigs and soft plastics with a curly tail, and a hook that fits around their mouth.

Carp

Carp are large fish that can usually be mistaken for giant goldfish, when seen on top of the water. These fish can be one of the more difficult to target but fun to catch.

Carp are omnivorous; their diet usually consist of aquatic plants and weeds. They occasionally feed on small insects and larvae.

The best way to target this fish is by using baits, such as bread or corn and putting it on very small hooks and letting the bait sit at the bottom. These fish are smart and will often chew the bait and miss the hook, so it is a good idea to make sure the hook is nearly fully covered by the bait.

On January 1-2, 2022, the Fairfax County Park Authority joined park systems across the country to encourage everyone to start 2022 with a hike. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. Despite wet weather, thousands of people came out to explore the Fairfax County Park Authority’s trail system and take steps toward improved health and fitness in the new year. More than 170 photos were submitted as part of the First Hike Fairfax 2022 Photo Contest presented by the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation. The Park Authority Executive Director, a panel of Park Authority judges and a public vote have determined the following winners:  

Sarah Baldwin, Waverly Park  

Judges’ Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card OR a 25-Visit FCPA Rec Center Pass 

A panel of judges thought this photo offered a unique perspective of our parks. Since fungi grow best under wet conditions, the photo highlights the beauty that emerges in the parks on rainy days. The sharp detail of the hymenium gills of a mushroom are beautifully framed by the towering trees. 

First Hike Fairfax kicks off a new year of Healthy Strides activities for the whole family. For more fresh ideas, visit the Healthy Strides web page and sign up for the e-newsletter with monthly tips to get you and your family energized.

Find out more about how easy it is to support local parks by visiting the Park Foundation.

For more information on First Hike Fairfax, visit the First Hike Fairfax web page

Media Note: Click the photo to download

See all First Hike Fairfax 2022 photos.

As the Lake Fairfax Park Water Mine closed for the season to humans, dogs got their chance to take a plunge, chase tennis balls in the water and make new canine friends. More than 1,000 dogs and 3,000 people joined in the fun.

Pooches and their families packed the Reston water park on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, for Dog Daze – an end-of-summer ritual that attracted dogs of all breeds and sizes. The event featured dogs-only swimming, a Canine Resource Fair and fun for all members of the family. Proceeds, reaching over $10,000 will go to the Fairfax County Park Foundation to benefit parks.

Dog Daze was presented by the Fairfax County Park Authority in partnership with the Hunter Mill Dis-trict Supervisor and the Fairfax County Park Foundation, with support from Weber’s Pet Store and Aquatic Paws.

Media Note: Click on the winning photos below to download. See more photos at the Dog Daze 2021 Flickr page. (Photo credit: Beth Fredericks).

For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662 or send an email to parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The thirst for history from a more personal vantage point was on full display July 31, 2021, when a large crowd, including family members from several states, park neighbors, members of the Park Authority Board and staff, local officials, and History Commission members, gathered at Freedom Hill Park in Vienna for the inaugural Untold Stories program.

Untold Stories is an interpretive project of the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA). It is a multiyear project involving dozens of parks across Fairfax County. The goal is to increase the representation of all peoples in the stories the Park Authority tells as it interprets county natural and cultural resources. This is one strategy in a larger equity and diversity plan that the organization is creating and implementing.

Saturday’s event featured a traditional land acknowledgment ceremony, as well as the unveiling of new interpretive signage that explains a unique time and circumstance during the Civil War and Freedom Hill’s role in it. It also tells the story of a special community that existed amid the racism of the time. It is about a local multiracial family and a family member who may have been a Union spy. Residents of Freedom Hill represented a quintessential American ideal – people of all races and their descendants coming together as one community.

Pictured are several generations of the Carter Family, as well as others involved in the project. Left to right in the center: Rose Powhatan, Director of the Powhatan Intertribal Museum; Gloria Runyon and Dee Carter; Park Authority Board Chairman Bill Bouie; Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn; and Edwin Henderson, project leader.

You can find more information at the Freedom Hill website or read more about Untold Stories.

See Saturday's event program here.

Media Note: Click the image above to download.

See all the Freedom Hill Ceremony photos at the Freedom Hill Flickr page. 

View a video of the event below.

By Dan Grulke

In its simplest form, fishing is casting a line with a lure or bait into the water in hopes of catching a fish. If that were all that was involved in this sport or hobby, few would continue to participate in it. So the real question is, “Why do people go fishing?”

There are many reasons why people fish, but most say fishing helps them become better people. Sounds far-fetched that a sport or hobby as simple as fishing can help people better themselves, so let us dive in depth and see how this can happen.

Fishing is mostly a solitary adventure. One person, in nature, just enjoying the outdoors. At first glance we only see the benefits of an outdoor experience that would reduce stress. However by being on our own, we realize that we must be self-reliant. We must use our creativity to figure out what the fish are feeding on, and we must interpret this information by selecting baits and lures, then put the theory into practice. If we do not catch a fish, we might experience frustration. So we would switch lures and try another spot or technique. Through this process of trying to catch a fish, we have challenged ourselves to think independently, problem-solve, maybe experience frustration, and, if we have not given up, experience success by catching a fish.

This entire process of learning how to succeed is simply disguised as fishing. The process prepares us for the next life challenge, whether its going to school, applying for a job, trying out for a sport or other life challenges.

Because fishing is mostly a solitary sport/hobby, we also learn how to set our own goals and what constitutes success. These are key aspects of building self-esteem. There is no outside pressure to tell us that success is a 5-pound bass or 30 fish caught. We ourselves get to determine what our success is and what our failures are. Maybe it is casting further than we have, or maybe it is not losing a lure or breaking a fishing rod.

By being our own judge and determining our own goals, we give ourselves a firm foundation of what our future success and failures are. We begin to develop an understanding of ourselves, learn our limits, learn our strengths and our weaknesses, and choose to figure out ways to better ourselves. We can make our experience as simple or as complicated as we choose. For many of us, including kids and parents, this may be the only part of our day or week where we get to be our own boss.

Dan Grulke is the Fishing Coordinator for the Fairfax County Park Authority. He has lived in Northern Virginia for all but five years of his life. He has been fishing locally, in other states, and in other countries for 40 years. He has previously been a freshwater fishing guide on the Susquehanna River and Upper Potomac Rivers for eight years. Although he currently is not a guide, he enjoys introducing others to the sport of fishing. You can contact Dan at Dan.Grulke@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fall is here and cool, crisp weather has started to emerge as the leaves change their hues. This means it is time to get a pole in the water, and perhaps find yourself a trophy.

The period between late summer and early fall is a great time to do some bass fishing if you have the right knowledge. This article will focus on the keys to successful, local fall bass fishing.  

The first and probably most important step is choosing the right lure and lure color. Crawfish imitation colors and silver/white are going to be your best color options. Here are a few lures that I recommend for targeting bass this time of year:

Swim Jig (Dirty Jigs Finesse Swim Jig or Lunkerhunt Natural Skirted Swim Jig). Fish it around boat docks, no matter what depth. Fish should still be holding up around there.

Finesse Worm (Strike King 3X Elaztech or Zoom/Yum). Fish it shallow on a Texas Rig, Carolina Rig or a Shaky Head setup.

Flipping Jig (Strike King Bitsy Flip ¼ oz or Catch Co Gamechanger Lures Trashmaster). Fish the jig both shallow and deep, swimming it or bouncing it along the bottom around cover.

Squarebill Crankbait (Strike King KVD or 6th Sense Cloud 9 Magnum). Fish it around shallow, visible cover or through schools of baitfish.

Topwater (Strike King Buzz King or 6th Sense MagDog Topwater). Buzzbaits around shallow cover, or a walking bait around schools of baitfish will prove successful this time of year.

The second step is to fish in the right body of water. Areas that have either rocky points, banks, shallow flats near creek or river channel, or matted vegetation are all excellent places to make a few casts and see what is lurking below.

In Fairfax County, you can find these bodies of water at Burke Lake, Huntsman Lake, Lake Accotink or Lake Mercer.

Bass will begin to move into shallower areas during this time of year due to hotter conditions creating a lack of oxygen in deeper spots.

As we move into the late summer and early fall period, monitor the water for those sharp 8- to 10-degree drops because this will put the bass into a frenzy and increase your chances of success.

Fishing after a heavy rain is another opportunity for anglers to increase their chances, as the rain will cause a change in water temperature and move baitfish out of the creeks.

Late summer and early fall offer some of the absolute best bass fishing you can experience.

By Dan Grulke

There are many ways to enjoy a successful fishing trip with children. The main principle is to make it fun, end the fishing trip while they are still having fun and help them achieve a positive and attainable experience. Below are some of the techniques I use with kids in our fishing classes.

Set the tone early for success based on a result the kids have control over. Some examples could be learning fishing knots, tying their own lure, or learning to cast or cast further. Outcomes that children (or adults) cannot control include catching fish, catching a certain number of fish, or catching a specific-sized fish. In short, children’s fishing experience is improved if we focus on their actions and not the end results.

Learn your child’s abilities. If your child has never been fishing, success can be as simple as fishing for 10 minutes or being outdoors in nature. With a more experienced angler, perhaps it is tying their own lure, casting without help, or freeing a snagged lure by themselves. 

Let children become their own person and make some decisions independently, but always guide them. Maybe they want to try a new area in which to fish or a different lure. In fishing these are ways for self-expression, creative thinking and problem-solving.

I often “guide” anglers (even adults) when the situation starts heading down a negative path. For instance, if a lure is stuck on a log, I will let them struggle with getting it free. When it gets to the point where they are beginning to get frustrated, I will step in and say, “That is a really tough snag you have, maybe if we try it this we can get it free.”

In the beginning, plan short fishing trips. I usually plan for about an hourlong fishing trip, as my youngest children have short attention spans. We may get 20 minutes of actual fishing in, and then spend the rest of the time hiking around the lake or seeing how many different animals we can find at the lake. If they have a shorter-than-typical attention span, we may only fish for 10 minutes before they want to do something else. This is OK.

Listen to them and let them dictate what is enjoyable. Remember it is their fishing trip, and we should listen to their voice and desires and put aside ours. If they are having a great time, end the fishing experience before they are tired and bored. This is our desired result if we want to develop and grow their passion. Ending a trip when they are having fun almost always guarantees the question, “When can we go again?” We are looking to plant the seeds in the beginning, not grow the forest in the end.

Celebrate the minor success, as well as the end results. This can be as simple as, “Well we didn’t catch any fish, but you didn’t lose any lures,” or, “We had three bites, so next time we may catch a fish,” or, “Your casting has really gotten better. You are casting 15 feet further than last week.” Always celebrate when you catch a fish but remind them that you may not catch fish every trip. Take pictures of your outing with and without fish.

The most important tip is to sell the trip as an experience. The angling experience is so much more than catching fish. It is about being outside, learning to solve problems, being creative, exploring nature, and struggling and finding success.

Emphasize the experience, praise the success, intervene as needed during the struggle, and it never hurts to stop for frozen yogurt or another of their favorite treats after the trip.

Dan Grulke is the Fishing Coordinator for the Fairfax County Park Authority. He has lived in Northern Virginia for all but five years of his life. He has been fishing locally, in other states, and in other countries for 40 years. He has previously been a freshwater fishing guide on the Susquehanna River and Upper Potomac Rivers for eight years. Although he currently is not a guide, he enjoys introducing others to the sport of fishing. You can contact him at Dan.Grulke@fairfaxcounty.gov

By Chase Brown

Proper maintenance off all your fishing equipment -- including rods, reels, tackle, accessories, etc.-- is important in order to extend its life and get the most use for your hard-earned dollar.

Just like a wizard who needs a properly working wand to cast magic spells, the same holds true for you and your fishing rod.

Below are some tips on how to extend the life of your equipment.

Rods

1. Make sure that you keep your guides clean to prevent any buildup of algae or dirt on them that will cause your line to become frayed.
2. Use a towel and rubbing alcohol to clean around the reel handle area on your rod every time you take your reel off to ensure that you clean out the dirt and other particles that may have built up on the inside.
3. The preferred method of storage when you are not using your rods is either on a rod rack or in a rod sleeve. If you do not have either one, then just make sure that wherever you store them they are in a vertical position. If the rods are kept horizontally in a way that they start to bend, over time it can cause permanent damage.
4. If you are a person who likes to keep your rod looking polished, then I recommend wiping it down with a disinfectant wipe a couple of times a year to give it that fresh-out-of-the-store shine.

Reels

1. Probably the most important tip to maintaining your fishing reel is to rinse it with freshwater after every use. That does not mean dipping your reel into the pond or lake you just fished. Instead, take a bucket and fill it with water from a hose or sink and dip your reel in. You never want to spray water directly on a reel, as this may cause whatever dirt or algae particles to go up inside your reel and cause further damage.
2. Make sure that you properly lubricate your reel depending on how often you fish, so that all the moving parts you retrieve stays running smoothly. You can get lubricants specifically made for fishing reels, but I find that penetrating fluid (e.g. WD-40) or a silicone oil work just as well. If you are somebody who fishes every day, then you will want to lubricate every couple of weeks. For those of you who fish every month or so, you should lubricate it each time you go.

Tackle and Lures

1. For cleaning hard body lures, use a wet toothbrush to apply cleaner and make sure you get all the hard-to-reach spots. When it is up to your standards of cleanliness, wipe it off with a dry towel.
2. Make sure that you store soft plastics in a cool, dry place so that they do not succumb to melting or loss of color. Ensure that all packages are properly sealed before storage, so they do not become dry and wilted the next time you go to use them.
3. When storing fishing weights, make sure that they are in a place where they will not get bumped around and cause damage to your other lures.
4. Fishing hooks can start to become dull after repeated uses. Before tying a hook onto your line, make sure that your hook is still sharp enough to catch a fish. A common way to tell if your hook needs to be sharpened is by dragging it softly along your fingernail to see if it catches. If it slides down your fingernail with ease, then it is probably time to sharpen it. I tend to keep a small sharpening stone in my tackle box for this exact purpose.

Accessories

1. Make sure fishing nets are properly rinsed with freshwater after each trip, so that you can prevent any rust from forming. Store your net somewhere off the ground so that it prevents things getting caught in the holes of the net.
2. Keep your tackle box clean from dirt and grass and be sure to get rid of any leftover bait that you do not intend on saving. I cannot tell you how many times I have left a piece of bait in my tackle box only to come back a few days later to an awful smell and an infestation of maggots. If you take anything away from this article, please let it be this -- DO NOT LEAVE BAIT IN YOUR TACKLE BOX!