Biggest lakes in West Virginia: the top 9 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Forest City Lake

Forest City Lake spreads over about 5,920 acres. It lies right by Sistersville. The usual West Virginia mix applies: largemouth bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look.

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

2. Summersville Lake

At 2,700 acres, Summersville Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. It holds smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye and catfish. It goes down to about 327 ft.

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

3. Stonewall Jackson Lake

At some 2,630 acres, Stonewall Jackson Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. It lies about 2.4 miles north of Weston. The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie, walleye and bluegill. Stonewall Jackson Lake is West Virginia's largest lake.

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

4. Tygart Lake

Tygart Lake is a reservoir of some 1,750 acres. It lies about 2 miles north of Grafton. Tygart Dam holds it on the Tygart Valley River. The usual West Virginia mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Tygart Lake was created by a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam built in the 1930s that is noted for its Art Deco architecture.

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

5. Cheat Lake

Cheat Lake is a reservoir of some 1,730 acres. You will find it right by Cheat Lake. Lake Lynn Dam holds it on the Cheat River. The usual West Virginia mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Cheat Lake, near Morgantown, was originally named Lake Lynn before being officially renamed in 1976.

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

6. Sutton Lake

Sutton Lake spreads over some 1,520 acres. The lake is near Sutton. Like most lakes its size in West Virginia, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The deepest water is around 125 ft. Sutton Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir on the Elk River in Braxton County.

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

7. Mount Storm Lake

Mount Storm Lake spreads over 1,200 acres of water. It lies within an easy drive of Harrisonburg (about 53 miles). Like most lakes its size in West Virginia, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. At about 120 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Mount Storm Lake is a cooling pond for the Mount Storm power station, which keeps its water unusually warm year-round.

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

8. East Lynn Lake

East Lynn Lake spreads over 1,000 acres of water. It lies about 25 miles northwest of Meads. Like most lakes its size in West Virginia, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. East Lynn Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir in Wayne County, West Virginia.

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

9. Jennings Randolph Lake

Jennings Randolph Lake spreads over 950 acres. It lies near Westernport. The usual West Virginia mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. It goes down to about 296 ft. Jennings Randolph Lake straddles the Maryland-West Virginia border and was originally named Bloomington Dam.

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

Big water, big days

The bigger the lake, the more the wind matters. Plan the day around the forecast, start on the sheltered side and give yourself a way home if it builds.