Site #1: Smith Mountain Lake
Description:
Smith Mountain Lake is a 20,600-acre impoundment and one of Virginia's premier fisheries, offering outstanding fishing and other recreational opportunities. The reservoir was constructed in the early 1960's, is owned by American Electric Power Company and managed primarily for hydroelectric power generation. Most of the shoreline is developed with residential homes but other facilities catering to outdoor enthusiasts are found at various locations.
According to a creel survey conducted in 2003, the most sought-after species are Black bass, crappie, catfish, and sunfish. Annual stockings of striped bass are required to maintain the fishery since they do not reproduce successfullat at this reservoir. The other sportfish such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, white perch, yellow perch, channel catfish white catfish, and flathead catfish are all maintained through natural reproduction. Smith Mountain Lake is consistently one of the top producers of bass citations in Virginia.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park is a major attraction with all it has to offer. Some of the parks options are picnic areas, a beach, campground, cabins, handicapped fishing pier, boat ramp, hiking trails and scenic views. Combining the lakes proximity to Roanoke and Lynchburg with residential development, visitors should expect heavy boat traffic during the summer months. However, anglers will find little competition during the cooler months.
Largemouth bass fishing on this 20,600-acre lake is very good but this fishery receives a lot of pressure. Extensive electrofishing surveys (conducted by VDGIF fisheries biologists) each spring typically produce many largemouth bass in the 2-4 pound range. Surveys indicate the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass fishery has remained stable for several years, which is an improvement over the early 90s and 80s. The highest densities of largemouth bass in this reservoir is found upstream (heading away from the dam) of Hales Ford Bridge area in the Roanoke River arm and buoy B26 in the Blackwater River arm. Smallmouth bass are more evenly distributed throughout the reservoir. Piers and boathouses provide extensive shoreline cover that anglers should take advantage of. Additionally, natural structure such as fallen trees, rock shoals, and points, are seasonally productive. Coves typically produce the best largemouth bass angling opportunities due to shallower water and less boating traffic. Most anglers, fishing during the summer, fish at night or very early in the morning to avoid heavy boat traffic.
The striper fishery has to be the most notable fishery on Smith Mountain Lake. Striped bass are the second most popular sport fish at Smith Mountain Lake. Striped bass have been stocked into this reservoir since impoundment in 1963. Striped bass anglers utilize a variety of fishing methods such as drifting live bait, trolling plugs and bucktail jigs, or casting top water lures. Anglers use live bait throughout the year, trolling is most popular during the warmer months, and casting top water or shallow running plugs is most productive during the spring at night. Most striped bass are caught between the dams and buoy 64 of the Roanoke Arm and up to buoy 40 of the Blackwater Arm. Although these are the general areas most striped bass are caught, these fish are very mobile and may change locations continuously depending on forage availability, water temperatures, and spawning.
This reservoir has limited crappie habitat. An average of 33 citations (trophy certificates) have been issued for crappie at Smith Mountain over the past six years. The crappie population is smaller than some other Virginia reservoirs but the quality of these fish is very good. Coves in the upper ends of the reservoir should be the most productive especially near fallen trees or brush piles.
Sunfish and catfish are also popular sport species at Smith Mountain Lake. Sunfish are abundant but competition with shad prevents good growth so most of these fish are small. Channel catfish are the most popular catfish species but flathead catfish have recently been introduced and are gaining in popularity because their large size. Flathead catfish are doing very well in size and abundance. Anglers seeking flathead catfish should concentrate their efforts in the upper reaches of the Roanoke Arm, especially in coves.
Smith Mountain Lake is also stocked annually with musky fingerlings. This lake does not produce large numbers of muskies; however, a few fish are caught each year, primarily by bass and striper anglers. Although walleye stocking has been discontinued, adult walleye can be caught along the shoreline of the lower lake (below R-8) during night hours of spring and fall.
Access Points: Numerous public and private boat ramps and marinas are found around the lake. In addition, there is a very nice handicapped-accessible fishing pier at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park boat launching area. The following boat ramps are available to the public:
Penhook #9 Concrete Ramp, Latitude 37° 0' 47" N
37.0130298 , Longitude 79° 37' 32" W -79.6255712, Directions: From Penhook, Rt 660 North (.8); R on Rt 966 (1.4);
Scruggs #8 Concrete Ramp , Latitude 37° 3' 5" N 37.0512595, Longitude 79° 39' 48" W -79.6633949
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Site #2: Philpott Lake
Description:
Philpott Lake, in the southern part of the county, is known for excellent fishing and is considered Virginia's best smallmouth bass and trout reservoir. Nestled among the rolling foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge, Philpott Lake is a scenic wonderland. The lake covers 3,000 acres with 100 miles of shoreland. Visitors to the lake are always amazed at the natural beauty of the area. Most areas are under forest cover. There are numerous recreational opportunities, including: boating, swimming, picnicking,hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. The lake has eight campgrounds, six beach areas, and nine boat launches. Visitors to Philpott should begin with a trip to the Visitor Assistance Center. There are numerous facilities scattered throughout the reservoir such as boat landings, a campground, and picnic areas. The lake was built by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1948 and 1951, with it opening in 1953. Philpott Lake is convenient to Greensboro, NC (60 miles), Raleigh, NC (130 miles), and Richmond, VA (190 miles).
Access Points: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=36.813200+-80.067300&daddr=&geocode=&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=38.461856,-77.750158&sspn=0.044155,0.037766&ie=UTF8&ll=36.811071,-80.056858&spn=0.045147,0.037766&z=14
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Site #3: Pigg River
Description:
Franklin County's 1st Blueway, offering an 8-mile float for kayaks and canoes. Put-in is at Waid Park, while take-out is at Vernon Lee Lynch II Riverside Memorial Park. This route is known for
interesting rock formations, late spring trout fishing, and for its role in Franklin County's Colonial era iron industry.Offers beautiful wooded landscapes & farmlands, wildlife and fish. The Pigg River is the home of the Annual Pigg River Ramble, held the first weekend in June.
Access Points: DIRECTIONS FROM ROANOKE(220 N): To Take-Out: Take US 220 S to Third Rocky Mount Exit. Take a right on Business 220. Turn left at first light onto Scuffling Hill Rd. Take first left onto Old Fort Rd. Lynch Park is on left. To Put-In: Take a left onto Scuffling Hill Rd from Park. When Scuffling Hill Rd. crosses 40W it will turn into Six Mile Post Rd. Continue on~2 more miles to Waid Park taking a left onto Waid Park Rd. Continue to the end of road for put in access.
DIRECTIONS FROM MARTINSVILLE/ROCKY MOUNT(220S): Take first Rocky Mount Exit (Business 220 North). Turn left at first light onto Scuffling Hill Rd. Follow directions above.
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