Willoughby Bay Fishing near Hampton, Virginia

• Overview

  Look for Willoughby Bay in City of Norfolk, Virginia. Tidal water begins 1.1 miles from here. Roughly 2.4 sq miles of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. It is one of the larger waters we list anywhere in Virginia. Nearest town is Hampton, 6 miles off. Further out sit East Hampton (6.1 miles) and Norfolk (7.6 miles). The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Willoughby Bay

  This water is saline; the fishing interest, where it exists, sits in the feeder streams rather than the basin itself. This is tidal water: the state of the tide decides where fish sit, so plan the session around it. Anglers passing through do better on the neighbouring fresh waters listed on this page. The mouth fishes hardest when the run is at its strongest. Salt and fresh mix here, and the mixing line is worth finding. On Willoughby Bay a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 79°F, with January the cold end at about 40°F. There is no frozen season to plan round. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. That is the shape of the year on Willoughby Bay.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Public data records a boat ramp half a mile out. Willoughby Harbor Marina is the mapped marina, about half a mile away. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. There is a jetty half a mile off, worth knowing on a busy day. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Lake Hampton, 7.1 miles out. None of that is settled for Willoughby Bay in what we hold.