Virginia is packed with fishing lakes where your next cast could hook anything from a chunky largemouth bass to a hard-fighting striped bass, crappie, trout, or walleye.
With thousands of acres to choose from, including rocky points, submerged timber, deep channels, and quiet coves, deciding where to cast your line can get tricky.
To help narrow it down, these eight standout spots include enormous reservoirs, clear mountain lakes, and productive waters within easy reach of major cities.
So grab your tackle box, check your fishing license, and keep reading because some of Virginia’s most exciting fishing water is coming up.
1. Smith Mountain Lake
Smith Mountain Lake covers 20,600 acres in Virginia’s Blue Ridge region between Roanoke and Lynchburg, with more than 500 miles of shoreline to explore.
Anglers come here for striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, and catfish, with coves, docks, and deep channels offering plenty of fishing spots.
You can launch a boat from Smith Mountain Lake State Park, cast from the park’s pier, or hire a local guide to chase stripers across the open water.
Afterward, you can cool off with a swim, go sailing, try water skiing or wakeboarding, or enjoy the mountain views around the lake, which was created in the 1960s.
2. Buggs Island Lake (also known as Kerr Lake)
Next up is Buggs Island Lake, also called Kerr Lake, which covers roughly 50,000 acres along the Virginia-North Carolina border and is Virginia’s largest lake.
With creek arms, rocky points, quiet coves, and plenty of underwater structure, you’ll have lots of places to chase largemouth bass, striped bass, catfish, and crappie.
Try casting around bridge pilings and creek areas, or launch from Occoneechee State Park, where three boat ramps give you easy access to the water.
When you’re ready to put down the rod, explore its 850 miles of shoreline through tubing, boating, swimming, and wildlife watching for a full day outdoors.
3. Lake Anna
From one huge reservoir to another popular fishing spot, Lake Anna comes next, covering 13,000 acres and located about a 1.5-hour drive from Washington, D.C.
It’s well known for largemouth bass, striped bass, bluegill, and crappie, with creek areas, bridges, and underwater structure offering plenty of places to try your luck.
If you’re visiting in winter, try the warmer section heated by discharge from the North Anna Power Station, where some fish stay more active as temperatures drop.
When you’re ready to switch things up, head to Lake Anna State Park to enjoy the swimming beach, launch a boat, or explore more than 15 miles of trails.
4. Occoquan Reservoir
After Lake Anna’s wide-open water, Occoquan Reservoir brings you closer to Washington, D.C., stretching across Fairfax and Prince William counties.
This 2,100-acre reservoir is a favorite for largemouth bass, with crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and northern pike adding extra variety to your fishing day.
Work the boat docks, brush piles, and fish attractors, or head to Fountainhead Regional Park to launch a kayak or boat and explore more of the water.
Swimming is prohibited here because the reservoir supplies drinking water to Northern Virginia, but its peaceful setting still makes the trip worthwhile.
5. Lake Moomaw
Surrounded by scenic mountain views, Lake Moomaw stretches across 2,530 acres near Hot Springs inside the George Washington National Forest.
Reaching depths of 152 feet, its clear blue water is home to smallmouth bass, rock bass, chain pickerel, catfish, yellow perch, panfish, and sought-after trout.
Head into open water for trout or work rocky ledges for bass, or use the boat ramp at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, which also offers camping and a swimming beach.
Whether you stay for a few hours or spend the entire day, the wild surroundings give you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the quiet.
6. Claytor Lake
Up next is Claytor Lake, a 4,472-acre reservoir along the New River in Pulaski County, created as part of an Appalachian Power hydroelectric project.
Its 21-mile-long waters hold smallmouth and largemouth bass, striped bass, bluegill, sunfish, and several catfish species, giving you plenty to chase in every season.
With Claytor Lake State Park bordering three miles of shoreline, you can launch from its boat ramps and search rocky points and gravel banks for your next catch.
Afterward, put down your rod and spend some time paddling, swimming at the sandy beach, enjoying a waterfront picnic, or exploring the park’s wooded areas.
7. South Holston Lake
Then there’s South Holston Lake, a 7,580-acre reservoir along the Virginia-Tennessee border, with clear water surrounded by forested mountains.
Rocky banks, points, deep water, and the main channel give you plenty of places to chase smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, walleye, catfish, and trout.
Smallmouth fishing is the highlight here, so try spinnerbaits, worms, or small crankbaits in spring, then head deeper with worm rigs and jigs as summer arrives.
After fishing, drive to the nearby Virginia Creeper Trail, where you can trade the boat for a bike or hiking shoes and explore the scenic route through Southwest Virginia.
8. Lake Chesdin
Wrapping up the list is Lake Chesdin, a 3,100-acre reservoir along the Appomattox River bordering Chesterfield and Dinwiddie counties.
You’ll have plenty to chase here, including largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, walleye, and hefty channel catfish that can bring some serious action to your day.
Target creek areas, changing depths, and underwater structure, or launch from the public boat landing near the dam to reach productive water away from shore.
Formed by George F. Brasfield Dam in the late 1960s, the lake offers plenty of water to explore by boat or kayak when you’re ready for a break between casts.
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