Deep Run Park Ponds are owned and operated by Henrico County on the West side of the City of Richmond. It is a beautifully wooded park that contains two ponds, adjacent to each other, both of approximately 2 acres. There are numerous picnic pavilions and shelters available to both anglers and waterfowl-watchers. Two large fishing platforms provide a great place for anglers to target the variety of fish that are present.
As is typical of most small urban fisheries, these two ponds have had problems maintaining population balance between largemouth bass and sunfish (bluegill and redear sunfish). Bass stockings have occurred in both ponds, but the numbers and sizes of bass collected in electrofishing surveys have been disappointing. It is difficult to maintain quality bass populations in small urban ponds that receive considerable fishing pressure. Illegal harvest of undersized bass may have added to the problem of these unbalanced fisheries. Supplemental stockings of bass in the 10 to 14-inch size range were conducted during the summer of 2017 to improve the population structure of each pond.
Annual stockings of channel catfish occur each fall in hopes of providing additional angling opportunities along with trying to crop down the excessive number of stunted bluegill that are present.
Maps & Directions
Deep Run Park Lakes are owned and operated by Henrico County on the West side of the City of Richmond. Specifically, it is located half-mile south of I-64, just west of the intersection of Gaskins Road (Rt. 157) and Ridgefield Parkway. Map
Fishing
Bass
best bet
Catfish
present
Trout
no
Panfish
present
As is typical of most small urban fisheries, these two ponds have had problems maintaining population balance between largemouth bass and sunfish (bluegill and redear sunfish). The latest electrofishing surveys conducted on May 1, 2019 provided additional insight into strengths and weaknesses of each fishery.
Upper Pond
The upper pond survey yielded seven fish species: bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie, redear sunfish, channel catfish, warmouth sunfish and brown bullhead. The fishery revealed similar results as past surveys with an abundance of juvenile bluegill present. The spring survey revealed an increased supply of largemouth bass when compared to the fall 2016 survey. The collection of 201 bluegill provided a catch rate of 1,064 fish/hr. Collected bluegill ranged in size from 2 to 6.5 inches with the majority of fish in the 3.5 to 4.5-inch range. The collection of 27 largemouth bass provided a catch rate of 143 bass/hr. Collected bass ranged in size from 3.23” to 17.79”, with the largest bass weighed at 3.19 pounds. Additional species diversity was found in the collection of 5 black crappie that measured from 6.77 to 7.4 inches. Two channel catfish measured 11.89 and 14.05 inches. Five redear sunfish measured from 3.85 to 7.95 inches. Two warmouth sunfish measured in at 4.76 inches. One brown bullhead measured 12.5 inches.
Lower Pond
The lower pond revealed less diversity with 5 species collected: bluegill, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, black crappie, and warmouth sunfish. Each pond received a supplemental stocking of 75 bass in the size range of 10 to 14 inches back in 2017. The bass population within the lower pond appears to have benefitted the most from this supplemental stocking. The electrofishing survey collected 39 bass over the course of one shoreline pass. The catch rate of 180 fish/hr is extremely impressive. Collected bass ranged in size from 3 to 22 inches. The two largest bass measured 20.98 and 22.13 inches with corresponding weights of 4.77 and 5.37 pounds. Very impressive for a 2-acre impoundment. Ten of the collected bass fell into the preferred-size range of ≥ 15 inches in length. The CPUE of 46.2 preferred-size bass/hr came as a wonderful surprise based on the comparison to the fall 2016 survey.
The survey collected a total of 82 bluegill for a catch rate of 378 fish/hr. Collected bluegill ranged in size from 2 to 6.5 inches, with the majority of fish in the 3 to 5-inch range. The survey revealed a limited presence of redear sunfish with 16 fish collected. The size distribution of collected redear sunfish was 4 to 7.75 inches, but only one fish was less than 6.7 inches in length. Chances are if you catch a redear sunfish from the pond, it will most likely be a decent fish that has managed to survive being preyed upon by the bass population. Additional fish collected were 6 black crappie in the 4.4 to 6.1-inch size range as well as 3 impressive warmouth sunfish in the 7.2 to 8.58-inch range.
The ponds are stocked with channel catfish annually to provide some quality angling. Catfish stockings typically occur each October to take advantage of cooler water temperatures. The minimum size limit for channel catfish in the upper pond has been set at 15 inches. The minimum size limit for channel catfish for the lower pond has been set at 18 inches in an attempt to establish an improved class of fish for anglers to target. The creel limit for channel catfish is set at 5 fish/person/day.
Biologist Reports
Regulations
Deep Run Park Pond No. 1 (Upper Pond)
Channel catfish averaging 1/2 pound each are stocked annually. Five catfish can be harvested per day per angler with a minimum size limit of 15 inches.
Regulations for all other species are as follows:
Largemouth bass – 18 inch minimum, 1 per day
Bluegill and redear sunfish – no minimum size, 10 fish per person per day
Crappie – no minimum size, 25 per day.
Deep Run Park Pond No. 2 (Lower Pond)
Channel catfish averaging 1/2 pound each are stocked annually. Five catfish can be harvested per day per angler with a minimum size limit of 18 inches.
Regulations for all other species are as follows:
Largemouth bass – 18 inch minimum, 1 per day
Bluegill and redear sunfish – no minimum size, 10 fish per person per day
Crappie – no minimum size, 25 per day.
Facilities, Amenities, and Nearby Attractions
Nearby Attractions
Facilities
- Fee ✘
- Parking ✔
- Handicap-Accessible ✘
- Food Concession ✘
- Picnic Tables ✔
- Grills ✔
- Restrooms ✔
Amenities
- Hiking Trails ✔
- Bike Trails ✔
- Viewing Blinds ✘
- Observation Platforms ✔
- Fishing Pier/Platform ✔
- Boat Ramps ✘
- Motorboat Access ✘
- Horsepower Limit ✘
- Electric Motor Only ✘
- Paddle Access ✘
- Camping ✘
- Primitive Camping Only ✘
In addition to the two ponds, there are numerous picnic pavilions and shelters available to anglers and waterfowl-watchers, restrooms, a play area and play equipment, exercise trails, nature/hiking trails, soccer/football fields, and basketball courts.
More Information
For fisheries information, please contact:
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
(804) 829-6580 ext. 126
For additional information about Deep Run Park, please contact:
County of Henrico Recreation and Parks
P.O. Box 27032
Richmond, Virginia 23273
Phone: (804) 501-7275