Hampden-Sydney College

College Ambassador: William Harrison

Species 
 
The species here on campus are pretty typical of what you would expect to catch in a southside Virginia pond, river, or lake.  
 
Largemouth Bass: A clear favorite of a Hampden-Sydney student. The ponds on campus have some decent-sized fish. It seems like every year when students show back up from summer break, some solid fish are being pulled out.  
 
Crappie: A staple catch for seemingly anywhere in Virginia. Once the Cherry Blossom Trees start blooming, expect to catch an abundance of these guys. It's great to fish a lightweight setup now and then.  
 
Bluegill: These guys are everywhere, it seems like every single bluegill in this state is pesky and small, taking chomps out of your soft plastic. When targeted, you can catch some dinner plates on and around campus.  
 
Trout: Hit up the boys in the fly-fishing club and you’re in for an abundance of rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Despite a little road trip, it is worth it as these guys will put you on.

Accessibility  
 
Being in the heart of central Virginia, it is almost hard to not find places to fish.  
 
Campus Ponds: There are three ponds located all across campus and all within a 5-10 minute walking distance of any dorm or apartment. Lake Mays, Lake Chalgrove, and Tadpole Hole all are great options for any student wanting to get a line in the water. Rent a pole or kayak/canoe from the school and you’re all set.

Briary Creek Lake: A five-minute drive from campus, and one of the best lakes for bass and crappie fishing in the entire state. Stretching 845 acres, this place is a bass fisherman’s dream. With the motor limit being 9 horsepower, it’s perfect for a small Jon boat or canoe. From bass to sunfish to catfish, it’s almost certain that you’ll hook something while fishing Briary. The largemouth record for this fishery is 16 lbs., 3 oz. Just an ounce shy of the Virginia state record! 
 
James River: This is the perfect day trip to make with your buddies. Rent a trailer full of kayaks from the school take the hour drive up to Scottsville, Virginia, and float the James River. You can even rent innertubes and tackle there, making the trip about as easy as it gets. Catch anything from Catfish to Bass and Crappie.

Community 
 
The community here is awesome, and the school prides itself on the outdoor experience that students get.  Field & Stream even called it “a hidden gem for outdoorsmen,” when they named Hampden-Sydney one of the best colleges in the country for hunters and anglers. We previously had a Fishing Team that fished the competitive bass circuit, placing 30th out of 218 collegiate teams in the College Bassmaster Series National Championship in 2019. A majority of the students you meet here are fishermen in one way or another. On a nice fall or spring day, you are more than likely going to come across someone fishing on campus. We also have a very active Fly-Fishing Club, which frequently takes trips all around the state. With around 50 active members, they host casting clinics and are very active in conservation. If you’re new to fly fishing and want to learn, or have been doing it for years, the Fly-Fishing Club is the place to be.

Hangouts 
 
While there isn’t much of a local tackle shop, the Outdoors Club building is a common spot to hang out with fellow anglers and talk shop, right next to Tadpole Hole, one of the ponds on campus. Most people go to the trusty Walmart Fishing section for all their tackle needs. Another local place is Worsham Grocery, which sells just about anything you can imagine, including live bait and your basic tackle needs.