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Buggs Island Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir)
Virginians traditionally call this lake, an impoundment of the Roanoke River,
Buggs Island Lake. It is a sprawling 50,000-acre reservoir with 800 miles of
shoreline. Buggs Island is a deep water lake and depths reach 90 feet near the
dam. The fishing opportunities on a lake this size are, of course, numerous,
but the lake is especially known for its striped bass, a migratory species
landlocked in this huge body of water. Other fish species include largemouth
bass, white bass, perch, walleye, chain pickerel, crappie, sunfish, and catfish.
There are no boating restrictions on Buggs Island Lake and its size favors those
with big motors. Various agencies maintain boat-launching ramps around the
lake.
Access: U.S. 15 from the north and U.S. 58 from the east and west.

Lake Gaston
Downstream from Buggs Island Lake, this 20,300-acre lake is known for producing
several state record largemouth bass. Like its larger neighbor, this is a deep
water lake with lots of shoreline. Besides lunker largemouth, Lake Gaston has
striped bass, perch, crappie, sunfish, and catfish. There are no boating
restrictions.
Access: Interstate 85 and U.S. 1 both cross the lake and several secondary
roads provide access from U.S. 58 to the north.
Call: (434) 848-3133

Lake Amelia
A Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries(VDGIF) impoundment, 100-acre
Lake Amelia lies within the Amelia Wildlife Management Area. Rotted trees, some
standing, some fallen, provide excellent fish habitat. Largemouth bass,
crappie, channel catfish, walleye, bluegill and red ear sunfish are all found in
this lake. Look for walleye to be in the deeper water near the dam. The bass
average from one to two pounds. No gasoline outboards are allowed. A concrete
boat ramp and handicapped accessible fishing pier round out the amenities.
Access: Between U.S. 60 and 360. From 360 west of Richmond go north on Rte.
604, turn left on 616, then right on 652. From 60 west of Richmond, go south on
622 at Flat Rock, right on 610, then right on 604, right on 616, and right again
on 652.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Briery Creek Lake
This lake fishes well since at least one-half of its 845 acres has good woody
habitat in the form of standing timber and submerged stumps. Briery Creek is a
quiet lake due to its wooded banks and its location in the WMA of the same name.
This lake is one of the best largemouth bass fisheries in the state, but also
has good-sized sunfish and crappie. Other species include channel catfish and
chain pickerel. No gas engines are allowed on the lake because of the hidden
stumps. Concrete boat ramp, pier, and numerous access points along the bank
provide a great fishing experience.
Access: Seven miles south of Farmville. Take 15 south from 460 at Farmville or
north from 360 at Keysville to Rt. 790.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Lake Brunswick
Due to its heavily wooded shoreline, Lake Brunswick's waters are stained brown
with tannin, a color more typical of Eastern Virginia lakes. Its 150 acres see
surprisingly little fishing pressure so this is a good place to go for good
largemouth bass fishing. Other fish include perch, crappie, chain pickerel,
channel catfish, and sunfish. No gas motors are allowed and there is only on
boat ramp at the lake.
Access: Eight miles northeast of Lawrenceville. Go east on U.S. 58 from
Lawrenceville, turn left onto County Pond Road (Rt. 638) and go 2.1 miles to the
boat ramp.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Lake Conner
Despite its relatively small size - 110 acres - Lake Conner has one big claim to
fame - the state record largemouth bass (16 lbs. 4 oz.) came from its waters in
1985. Not surprisingly, lots of fishermen swear by its shallow (11 ft.) waters
filled with plenty of good weed cover. Other species in Lake Conner include
channel catfish, sunfish, and chain pickerel. No gasoline motors are allowed.
Access: From U.S. 360 take Rt. 746 to Rt. 603 on the left, then right on Rt. 619
to Rt. 623 east to Rt. 624 south.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Lake Gordon
Rolling farmland surrounds this 157-acre lake, providing the angler with a
quintessential piedmont fishing experience. Submerged stumps in the upper end
of the lake provide good largemouth bass habitat as do scattered clumps of water
lilies. Light fishing pressure means good populations of bass and channel
catfish. Other species include sunfish and crappie, chain pickerel, and perch.
Gas motors up to 10 HP are allowed but beware of those stumps!
Access: Take U.S. 1 south and Rt. 58 west out of South Hill to Rt. 664, turn
right onto Lake Road.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Horsepen Lake
This small, 19-acre lake in the WMA of the same name is a great place to bring
the kids. The lake's small size precludes the possibility of finding many
lunker bass, but the angling opportunities are there nevertheless. The lake is
also fairly remote and surrounded by rolling hills, so the fisherman seeking
solitude won't be disappointed. This lake is best fished from a boat or canoe,
since bank access is limited.
Access: From U.S. 60 take Rt. 638 and look for a sign directing you to the lake
on the left.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Lake Nottoway
At 188 acres, Lake Nottoway is one of the few VDGIF lakes in Southside that can
be fished from boats with outboard motors (up to 10 HP). You can also fish 24
hours a day here if you so desire. When the lake was impounded in 1978, the
department left a great deal of flooded standing timber as well as sunken log
piles. Largemouth bass love this habitat, but be careful with outboards. Other
fish species include sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, and chain pickerel.
Access: From Rt. 460 west, exit right onto Rt. 606 and drive about 5.1 miles to
the lake entrance.
Call: VDGIF Farmville Field Office at (434) 392-9645

Sandy River Reservoir
One of the newest VDGIF fishing lakes, this 845-acre impoundment has largemouth
bass, sunfish, and channel catfish. Outboard motor use is restricted to 10 HP
or less. There is a handicap accessible double boat ramp with courtesy pier and
a 150-ft. fishing pier. Paved parking.
Access: Five miles east of Farmville, just south of 460 on Rt. 640
Call: (434) 392-8837

Lake Chesdin
This 3,060-acre lake is located on the Appomattox River and forms the boundary
between Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, and Amelia counties. A fairly deep flat-water
lake, it is best known for good crappie fishing. Anglers are warned to stay
clear of the dam. There is a fishing pier and boat launch located on Lake
Chesdin Rd. (Rt. 776).
Access: Off Rt. 36, take either 602, 628, or 636. Off Rt. 226, take 601, 708,
611, or 623. Call: (804) 467-4550

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest
Within the Forest are two lakes, Holliday Lake located at Holliday Lake State
Park, and Slate River Watershed. Holliday is a good, clear lake with largemouth
bass, crappie, sunfish, and chain pickerel. Its cold, relatively deep waters
even hold a population of stocked northern pike. The Holliday Creek Trout
Fishing Area is located at the headwaters of the lake and is a delayed harvest
stream stocked with brown and rainbow trout. Neither lake allows outboard gas
motors.
Access: For Holliday Lake, go east on Route 460 from Lynchburg through
Appomattox. Take Route 24, right on 626, left on 640, and right on 692. Slate
River Watershed is located off of Route 640 in Buckingham County.
Call: (434) 983-2175 (Slate River)
(434) 248-6308 (Holliday Lake)

Cumberland State Forest
There are no less than five lakes located within this Forest - Oak Hill Lake
(six acres), Arrowhead Lake (six acres), Winston Lake (10 acres), and Bonbrook
Lake (six acres). Most of them are glorified ponds, but the fishing is still
good anyway. Bear Creek Lake, located at Bear Creek Lake State Park is a 40-
acre lake with a boat launch, fishing pier, and boat rentals. It is relatively
undiscovered and boasts excellent largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, and channel
catfish,
Access: The Forest is located north of Rt. 60 and west of Rt. 45. Oak Hill,
Arrowhead, and Winston Lakes are all located off of Rt. 629, and Bonbrook is
located off of Route 626. Bear Creek Lake, from Rt. 60 west of Richmond, go
northwest on 622, then southwest on 629.
Call: (804) 492-4121

Prince Edward - Gallion State Forest
Twin Lakes State Park within the Forest contains, yes, twin lakes. The larger
is named Prince Edward Lake, while its smaller sister is named Goodwin Lake.
Fishing is allowed at both of these relatively small lakes, but Prince Edward is
the one specifically designed for fishing.
Access: Five miles southwest of Burkeville. Take U.S. 360 west to Burkeville,
then to Rt. 613 north, then 629 to the park.
Call: (434) 392-3435

James River State Park
Access to the James River is available here in one of the state's newest parks.
Two canoe ramps and three miles of shoreline within the 1,442-acre park ensure
good day fishing. The middle James is wide and fairly shallow, with blowdowns
and weedbeds providing the best habitat for sunfish and largemouth bass.
Access: Located in Buckingham County. From Rt. 60 west turn right on Rt. 605
at the James River Bridge and go seven miles and turn left at Rt. 606. James
River VDGIF boat ramps are located at Columbia, Cartersville, and New Canton.
Call: (804) 933-4355 or (804) 367-1000

Staunton River State Park
This park is located on the tip of a peninsula formed by the confluence of the
Staunton and Dan Rivers as they form Buggs Island Lake. Lengthy shorelines and
access to the headwaters of the state's largest lake are two of the attractions
this state park holds for anglers.
Access: Eighteen miles east of South Boston. Take Rt. 360, then Rt. 344 for 10
miles. Call: (434) 572-4623

Appomattox River
A major tributary of the James River, the Appomattox is a typical slow piedmont
river. Largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, and chain pickerel dominate, but the
river is also home to the spotted , or Kentucky, bass. Look for fish to
congregate around blowdowns and in channels.
Access: The VDGIF boat ramp on Lake Chesdin, an impoundment on the river, is a
good place to put in. Call: (434) 467-4550

Meherrin River
This river eventually flows into North Carolina and Albemarle Sound. It is home
to the Roanoke bass, a large panfish similar to a rock bass. A typical slow,
quiet piedmont river, the name Meherrin probably refers to the herring, a small
fish still found in its waters.
Access: Fishing is hampered to some extent due to a general lack of public
access. Landowner permission is required to fish on private property.
Call: (434) 367-1000

Nottoway River
Like the Meherrin, to which it largely runs parallel, this river flows into
North Carolina and Albemarle Sound. In the upper part of Southside, the river
is relatively fast-moving. A popular fishing destination due to good public
access from VDGIF boat ramps, it too is home to the Roanoke bass as well as
crappie, gar, shad, and walleye.
Access: The VDGIF maintains a number of boat ramps - one, The Falls, is on the
border of Nottoway and Lunenburg counties.
Call: (434) 367-1000

Roanoke (Staunton) River
This river starts out as a fast stream in the mountains near Roanoke, but by the
time it reaches Southside near Buggs Island Lake, it slows down considerably as
the water backs up. Known primarily in this area as a for its spawning runs of
striped bass in the vicinity of Buggs Island Lake.
Access: VDGIF boat ramps at Clover and Watkins Bridge in Halifax county. Call:
(434) 367-1000

Willis River
This slow piedmont stream begins in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest and
flows through the Cumberland State Forest as well. A major tributary of the
James River, the Willis offers good access to fishing in both State Forests.
Canoe ramps are located at various areas in both Forests. Species are
largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish, chain pickerel, and gar.
Access: In the Cumberland SF, canoe ramps are located off of Lower Oak Hill
Forest Rd. and down river off of Arrowhead Lake Forest Rd.
Call: (804) 492-4121

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