SWVA FISHING LAKES

Heart of Appalachia Fishing Guide Map
Bark Camp Lake

Bark Camp Lake (#17)

36.86764, -82.52157  FR993, Coeburn
National Forest Waters – Trout Heritage Waters
Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Catfish, Trout, Sunfish

61-acre lake completely surrounded by forested land. Clear water and fairly dense stands of aquatic vegetation. Boat ramp/Dock (no gas motors) with handicap access.  For detailed information, https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/bark-camp-lake

Bark Camp is located between Dungannon and Tacoma in northern Scott County. Take Alternate 58 to Tacoma, then Route 706 to Route 822; then U.S. Forest Development Road 993 to the lake/parking lot.

Big Cherry Lake

Big Cherry Lake / Reservoir (#12)

36.844134, -82.668171   Big Cherry Road, Big Stone Gap
Largemouth Bass, Trout, Muskie

250-acre lake resting amid the magnificently forested Powell Mountain basin, with elevations varying from 3000 feet downstream of Big Cherry Dam to 4223 feet at its head on High Knob.  The lake is accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles only due to the gravel roads and inclines.

Big Cherry Lake is located between High Knob and Big Stone Gap in Wise County.

Falls Mills Lake

Falls Mills Lake (#24)

37.272060 -81.322876,  Bluefield
Bluegill, Carp, Catfish, Crappie, Brown Trout, Small & Largemouth Bass

Falls Mills Lake is a reservoir about 3.1 miles from Bluefield near Falls Mills, VA. Falls Mills Dam is owned and operated by Falls Mills Fishing Club.  It is a pay to play lake, with no fishing license required.  It’s a favorite with two boat launches, regular stockings of trout and a healthy population of small and largemouth bass.  It is located on Route 643 in Falls Mills and worth a visit.  Stop at the Fishing Club Office to pay before fishing.Fishermen will find a variety of fish in these waters . Whether you’re baitcasting, spinning or fly fishing, you’ll find your catch of choice. Click here for more information about the Club.

Flannagan Reservoir

John W. Flannagan Reservoir (#18)

37.215690, -82.370397  Rt 755/Marina Cove, Clintwood/Haysi
KY Spotted, Hybrid Striped, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Cappie, Walleye, Yellow Perch

This 1,143-acre impoundment has fifty miles of shoreline including hardwood forest and rock bluffs. Expect incredibly clear water with visibility exceeding 20 ft. at times. Several launch, picnic and camping points surround the waterway. For a map, click here.  Full marina with parking lot, launch and docks located at Marina Cove. For detailed information, visit https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/flannagan-reservoir

From Haysi to Marina Cove, take VA-63 N/Big Ridge Rd and State Rt. 614 to State Rt. 755 in Willis (6.3 mi). Continue on State Rt. 755 to Marina Cove (0.5 mi).

Hidden Valley Lake

Hidden Valley Lake (#20)

36.846604, -82.079757, Abingdon
Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Black Crappie, Catfish (stocked), Northern Pike (stocked)

This 61-acre Department-owned impoundment is in the Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area in Washington County. Hidden Valley Lake is located in the mountains at about 3,500 feet of elevation. The south side of the lake is almost completely forested, and the north side is a mixture of woods and open lands. These open lands provide good bank access for anglers.

From US-19 N/U58A W, in Abingdon, turn right onto Hidden Valley Road/R690 to the Lake.

High Knob Lake

High Knob Lake (#15)

36.88804, -82.61383  FR233, Norton
Brook Trout,

4-acre cold water lake with a 300 ft. sand swimming beach. Lake is surrounded by a lakeshore trail. The lake is located at the headwaters of the Mountain Fork drainage in the High Knob Recreation Area.

From Norton, take Park Ave. NW, Turn left onto 11th St. SW  0.2 mi, Turn right onto 12th St. SW  1.1 mi, 12th St. SW turns slightly left and becomes State Rt. 619  2.9 mi, Continue on Forest Rd. 238  2.0 mi, Turn left onto Forest Rd. 238  1.4 mi, Turn right onto Forest Rd. 233  0.5 mi.

Keokee Lake

Keokee Lake (#11)

36.845371, -82.866829  Rt 876, Keokee
Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Redear Sunfish, Bluegill

Located just west of the Town of Appalachia and just 5.3 miles from Big Stone Gap, this 92-acre waterway is surrounded by National Forest lands.  Though navigation routes on the lake have been cleared, flooded standing timber is the dominant habitat so boaters should use caution. Channel catfish are stocked each fall and an 18-inch minimum, 2 fish/day daily limit was implemented in 2016. Handicap accessible parking and restrooms are on site as well as boat ramps and paddle access.

From Keokee, head northwest on SR 606 toward Emmit Barker Drive, right on SR 623, left on SR 876 for .9 mi to the boat ramp/parking area.

Lake Witten

Lake Jack Witten (#23)

Trout Heritage Waters
37.16931. -81.51879  Rt 645/Lake Witten Road, Tazewell
Large and Smallmouth Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Crappie, Trout, Bluegill

52-acre lake owned by Tazewell County with handicap accessible parking, picnic area, restrooms, boat launch and paddle access. Camping available. Lake Witten is included in the state’s put-and-take trout stocking program.

Access to the lake is via Route 16 north out of Tazewell to Route 645/Lake Witten Road, then to the lake.

Laurel Bed Lake

Laurel Bed Lake (#21)

36.953814, -81.812567   Laurel Bed Lake Road, Lebanon
Smallmouth & Rock Bass, Brook & Rainbow Trout, Sunfish

Laurel Bed is a 330-acre manmade lake located in the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area with a maximum depth of about 40 ft. At an elevation of 3,600 ft., a mixed hardwood forest surrounds the lake. Smallmouth Bass are protected by catch-and-release regulations. 2 boat ramps are available.

From Lebanon, head northwest on US19 S, turn left onto VA 80 E 9.8 mi, turn left onto Poor Valley Road 4.4 mi, turn left onto SR 747/Tumbling Creek Road 4.4 mi, Turn left onto

Laurel Lake

Laurel Lake (#19)

37.2858170047, -82.2945729923   Breaks Interstate Park
Largemouth Bass, Flathead & Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Bluegill

12-acre impoundment located in Breaks Interstate Park with a surprisingly good fishery. The shoreline is mostly forested with walking trails providing good access to several bank fishing areas. Handicap Accessible parking and restrooms on site as well as boat ramps and paddle access. There is a parking/use fee.

Breaks Park is located on Redbud Hwy/VA-80 just south of the KY border.

Lincolnshire Lake

Lincolnshire Lake (#22)

37.137857, -81.499813  Rt 61, Tazewell
Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Trout – Trout Heritage Waters

This site is easily accessed from the Town of Tazewell and supports a multitude of wildlife. A walking trail offers access to the lakeshore around the 21-acre lake with boat launch facilities. Evening catfishing is a favorite of locals. With three large picnic shelters, large parking lot and handicap accessible facilities, it’s a great place for a family angling outing.

Norton Reservoir

Norton Reservoir (#13), Upper & Lower

36.909977, -82.629261  Rt 619, Norton
Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Trout

Located in the Flag Rock Recreational Area, Norton’s Upper Reservoir/Lower Reservoir is located four miles from the city’s downtown. The Upper Reservoir is 9.8 acres and allows fishing, canoeing/kayaking and electric motor boats. The Upper Reservoir is also stocked with trout and catfish by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Pound North Fork Lake Reservoir

Pound North Fork Lake/Reservoir (#14)

37.123720, -82.635145  Rt 630/Old N Fork Road, Pound
Spotted, Large and Smallmouth Bass, Channel & Flathead Catfish, Crappie, Musky/Muskie, Walleye, Bluegill, Carp

The 154-acre North Fork of Pound Lake includes 13.5 miles of wooded shoreline and has year round boat launch access.

To get to the lake, take Route 23 to Pound; turn west onto Route 630. Follow Route 630 for a mile to the boat landing.

South Holston Lake

South Holston Reservoir (#25)

36.62501, -81.97468, Abingdon
Black Bass, Crappie, Walleye, Sunfish, Catfish

South Holston Lake is a 7,580-acre impoundment operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Much of the reservoir is in Tennessee, but the Virginia portion of the reservoir offers anglers more than 1,600 surface acres of water. The lake’s shoreline habitats offer anglers a good diversity of structure including rock bluffs, shale banks and flat clay points. Anglers who prefer trolling will also find a good selection of open water structure ranging from mud flats to river channel drop-offs to submerged islands.

From Cummings Street/Rt 75 in Abingdon, head south to Green Springs Church Road, turn left and continue onto Denton Valley Road.

Wise Bear Creek Reservoir

Wise Bear Creek Reservoir

36.964990, -82.532210  Rt 629, Wise
Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish

Bear Creek Reservoir is located within the Cumberland State Forest, just 2.3 miles from Wise, near Tacoma. It’s 26.3 acre lake allows non-motorized boats that may be launched from the boat launch located at the entrance of this recreation area. You know it’s a great spot because it’s heavily used by anglers.

From UVA-Wise, turn left onto Coeburn Mountain Road/Rt 646 and continue east for 1.6 miles to Sportsman Drive/Rt. 829. Go left on Sportsman Drive/Rt. 829 and then turn left immediately on Browning Lane/Rt. 682. Follow Browning Lane/Rt. 682 for 0.1 miles to the Bear Creek Reservoir entrance and boat launch.

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