Norfolk's Bountiful Waters

By Robin Magrisi

On Norfolk's downtown waterfront, Waterside offers major restaurants, specialty retail shops, an international food court, and exciting nightlife.

From ocean to bay to freshwater, Norfolk has everything you’d want to package a perfect fishing trip. Bordered by water on three sides, the city’s image is a smooth blend of financial district, seaport and cultural capital, delivering a destination as delicately balanced as the intermingling of waters which surround it.

Situated on the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk’s deep waters have long welcomed naval and cargo vessels in addition to a bevy of sea life with many natural and artificial places to call home. Beaches, reefs, shipwrecks, bridges, tunnels and piers all provide excellent environs for the variety of fish and aquatic life found here year-round.

The historic city by the sea is recognizable for its military stronghold and colorful mermaid statues, but its waterfront offerings tempt anglers of all abilities.

Trailer your own boat and put in at any of the city’s 12 public ramps and marinas, or hop aboard a charter for a full or half-day of fishing around a collection of major tunnels, the Atlantic Ocean or Norfolk Harbor. Coastal, offshore or evening excursions are available as well as head boats for individuals or smaller groups to join at a fraction of the cost.

“Norfolk is home to the three best fishing spots on the entire East Coast,” says Captain Kenny George, who has spent his entire life on the water and has numerous citations to show for it. “The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel are the biggest fish attracters and deliver consistent action. Also, unlike points further north, our mild climate allows for year-round fishing, and since something is always in season, you’re likely to catch your limit on every outing.”

As you might expect from a port city, access to the water is anything but limited. Catering to fishing and powerboat enthusiasts, Little Creek Marina provides the fastest and most direct access to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and many other inshore and offshore hot spots. It features 440 boat slips for vessels up to 150 feet long and includes a marina store equipped with bait and tackle. The marina also is a certified state citation and IGFA weigh station.

Deep water channel access to the Bay and a direct ocean route are also major advantages for East Beach Marina at Pretty Lake. Located within the award-winning East Beach waterfront community, the full-service facility includes 440 wet slips, a pool and changing facilities, a restaurant and complete marine service.

Taylor’s Landing Marine Center is designed for fishermen, sailors and families, and welcomes boats up to 55 feet long with 220 floating dock wet slips and a dry storage boatel with room for 448 vessels. The center exudes a country club atmosphere and features a pool, showers, locker rooms and three picnic areas. Most recently, Surf Rider restaurant and tiki bar have been added to the list of on-site amenities.

For a change of pace, drop a line in Lake Whitehurst, a 673-acre freshwater reservoir stocked with walleye, large mouth bass, bluegill and white perch. A short pier is available for visitor use and fishing also is permitted from the shore. A public boat launch and fishing station are available on-site, and the lake affords attractive views of Norfolk Botanical Garden and an ongoing parade of airplanes overhead approaching the Norfolk International Airport.

If you’d prefer to keep your land-legs steady, visit one of the city’s always-open fishing piers. Reaching nearly 1,700 feet into one of the East Coast’s most bountiful fishing grounds, the Ocean View Fishing Pier makes it easy to reel in some fun around the clock with 24 operating hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Its on-site restaurant is open seven days a week, and the tackle shop is well-equipped with fresh bait, rod and reel rentals or anything else that “got away” with that last big fish story. It’s also the docking site for the 65’ Judith Ann, a daily head boat that also offers private charters for up to 100 persons.

Nearby, the Willoughby Fishing Pier also is open 24/7 and operates a complete bait and tackle shop on premises. Located just minutes from the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, this official weigh station allows fisherman to size up their best catches.

The Chesapeake Bay is North America’s largest and most productive estuary with each season offering a diverse selection of game fish to test anglers’ skills, equipment and patience. Fishermen can expect to find black and red drum, sheepshead, cobia, speckled and grey trout, flounder, tautog or the bountiful striper on the end of the line when fishing in these hot spots.

Whether you reel it in or order it from the menu, Norfolk restaurants offer a bounty of fresh fish and seafood on their menus. From steaks to vegetarian, soul food to Asian-influenced, diners may have a difficult time choosing how best to satisfy their palate. Additionally, a selection of harbor cruise vessels include dining and/or private catering options for their guests.

Unwind after a busy day on the water with a boating package to any of a number of waterfront festivals and special events held in Town Point Park bordering the Elizabeth River. Packages include parkside docking during event hours and admission to ticketed events. Overnight docking is not permitted, and reservations are required. Premier themed events include:

• Norfolk Jazz Festival
• TGIF concert series
• In Water Boat Show
• Norfolk Harborfest
• Virginia Beer Festival
• Virginia Children’s Festival

Add a little culture to your trip when you include an outing to one of the city’s premier performing arts venues. The Virginia Opera, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Stage Company and Virginia Ballet Theatre are just a few of the production powerhouses in Norfolk. Complement your visit with a tour of The Chrysler Museum of Art, Hermitage Foundation Museum, Hunter House Victorian Museum, Hampton Roads Naval Museum or a pair of 18th-century historic homes.

Other attractions and entertainment offerings include upscale shopping at Mac Arthur Center, maritime science adventures at NAUTICUS, exploring living history aboard the USS Battleship Wisconsin, leisurely strolls through Norfolk Botanical Garden, or go wild at the Virginia Zoo. Norfolk also is home to a pair of professional sporting teams with tickets available seasonally: the Tides, the Baltimore Orioles’ top minor league baseball team; and the Norfolk Admirals, the American Hockey League’s affiliate for the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning.

A bustling port city frequented by aircraft carriers, powerboats and sailing vessels alike, Norfolk’s rich maritime history is the foundation for a bountiful fishing excursion. For more information about planning your trip, click on www.norfolkcvb.com or call toll-free 1-800-368-3097.