General Information Old Dominion, the first English settlement of the New World, is a 39,700-square-mile area that stretches from Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to the east to the Blue Ridge, Allegheny, and Appalachian mountains to the north and west along the West Virginia border. Home to eight American-born presidents, Virginia's sandy beaches, forested mountains, rich farmland and numerous water resources--of the freshwater and saltwater variety--attract many visitors seeking outdoor recreation. Capital City: Richmond Largest City: Virginia Beach National Parks and Forests: George Washington National Forest Jefferson National Forest Shenandoah National Park Sport Fishing The Commonwealth of Virginia's varied and numerous water resources offer plenty to the angler. More than 2,000 miles of mountain lakes, rivers and streams in the northern and western parts of the state offer good fishing for brook, rainbow, and brown trout. Smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass as well as pickerel and sunfish are found in many watersheds of the tidewater of Virginia. Warmwater species inhabit many of the lakes and impoundments, which are more suitable to species such as landlocked striped bass, walleye, and some rainbow trout. Twelve hundred miles of estuaries, river mouths, and coastline offer excellent sport fishing for migrating shad, white perch, and striped bass. Farther into Chesapeake Bay, drum, seatrout, bluefish, and mackerel are found in greater numbers. Offshore, catches of tuna and marlin are sought by bluewater charter boats. Hunting Virginia's mountains, rolling plateaus, and water resources provide habitat for a number of game animals and birds.Big-game species in Virginia are white-tailed deer, bear, fox and bobcat. Small-game animals legally hunted are groundhogs, opossum, raccoon, squirrel and rabbit. Game birds sought include ruffed grouse, quail, pheasant, and wild turkey. Migratory birds include crow, doves, ducks, brant, geese, swan, coot, gallinules, sora and rails, snipe and woodcock. For information on licensing, seasons, limits, rules and regulations, please visit the Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources website.