Best fishing lakes in Virginia: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Kerr Lake

Kerr Lake covers 50,000 acres of water. Expect largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass and catfish. The deepest water is around 100 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Kerr Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Smith Mountain Lake

At 20,500 acres, Smith Mountain Lake is a big lake. It holds striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and crappie. It goes down to about 220 ft.

Smith Mountain Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Anna

Lake Anna spreads over some 13,000 acres. It holds largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish. At about 80 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Anna today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Claytor Lake

Claytor Lake covers 4,470 acres of water. The lake is about 38 miles northeast of Roanoke. It is the New River behind Claytor Dam. Bluegill, catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are the draw. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Claytor Lake is a reservoir on the New River in Pulaski County operated by Appalachian Power for hydroelectricity.

Claytor Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Chesdin

Lake Chesdin spreads over 3,100 acres. It lies about 21 miles north of Richmond. It is the Appomattox River behind George F. Brasfield Dam. Expect largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and walleye. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Lake Chesdin today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Occoquan Reservoir

Occoquan Reservoir spreads over some 2,100 acres. The lake is right by Lake Ridge. The fish here are largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. On the 3-D map the bed has two point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Occoquan Reservoir supplies drinking water to Northern Virginia and lies on the Fairfax-Prince William county line.

Occoquan Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Moomaw

Lake Moomaw is a reservoir of 2,500 acres of water. The lake is about 6.2 miles northeast of Warm Springs. Gathright Dam holds it on the Jackson River. The fish here are trout, catfish, crappie and yellow perch. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Lake Moomaw today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Leesville Lake

Leesville Lake spreads over 3,270 acres of water. It lies about 3.1 miles east of Motley. The fish here are striped bass. At about 75 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Leesville Lake is the re-regulation reservoir immediately below Smith Mountain Lake on the Roanoke River.

Leesville Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Drummond

Lake Drummond covers some 3,140 acres. The lake is near South Suffolk. It holds crappie. The deepest water is around 6 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start.

Lake Drummond today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Philpott Lake

Philpott Lake spreads over 2,900 acres of water. It lies about 30 miles north of Roanoke. It is the Smith River behind Philpott Dam. The usual Virginia mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Philpott Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Smith River in southern Virginia.

Philpott Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Swift Creek Reservoir

At 1,700 acres, Swift Creek Reservoir is small enough to learn in a few trips. The lake is next to Brandermill. Like most lakes its size in Virginia, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. It goes down to about 25 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Swift Creek Reservoir is a Chesterfield County water-supply lake formed by damming Swift Creek and several tributary streams.

Swift Creek Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Western Branch Reservoir

Western Branch Reservoir spreads over about 1,430 acres. You will find it near Suffolk. The usual Virginia mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill.

Western Branch Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Virginia lakes by fish

Lakes listed for a fish are the ones on this page where it is on record or typical for the lake.

• Bass: Kerr Lake, Smith Mountain Lake, Lake Anna and Claytor Lake
• Walleye: Lake Chesdin
• Trout: Lake Moomaw
• Crappie: Kerr Lake, Smith Mountain Lake, Lake Anna and Lake Chesdin
• Pike and muskie: Occoquan Reservoir
• Catfish: Kerr Lake, Lake Anna, Claytor Lake and Lake Chesdin

The fishing year

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually at their best. Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

Before you go

Buy a Virginia fishing licence before the trip and read the state's rules for each lake: seasons, size and bag limits change from water to water. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.