Deepest lakes in Virginia: 6 lakes ranked by depth

Deepest first

1. Smith Mountain Lake

At some 20,500 acres, Smith Mountain Lake is a big lake. Expect striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and crappie. At about 220 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.

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

2. Kerr Lake

Kerr Lake spreads over 50,000 acres. The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass and catfish. It goes down to about 100 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

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

3. Lake Anna

Lake Anna covers some 13,000 acres. Expect largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish. At about 80 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer.

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

4. Leesville Lake

At 3,270 acres, Leesville Lake is a good-sized lake. It lies within an easy drive of West Lynchburg (about 25 miles). Striped bass are the draw. The deepest water is around 75 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. 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

5. Swift Creek Reservoir

Swift Creek Reservoir covers some 1,700 acres. The lake is within an easy drive of Richmond (about 14 miles). Like most lakes its size in Virginia, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. It goes down to about 25 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

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

6. Lake Drummond

Lake Drummond spreads over 3,140 acres. You will find it near South Suffolk. Crappie are the draw. At about 6 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work. Lake Drummond is a rare natural lake inside the Great Dismal Swamp, with dark, tannin-stained water rather than clear water.

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

Fishing deep water

Deep lakes reward slow, vertical fishing: drop a jig or a spoon to the depth where fish show on the sonar and work it right there. In spring and fall the fish come shallow and any method works.