Coves and the upper reaches of the reservoir are typically not very productive for striped bass during the summer and early fall months so anglers should concentrate their efforts on the lower main lake beginning in late-June or early-July. Our services include rod and reel repair, along with custom built rods to your own specifications. Coves and the upper ends of the reservoir should be the most productive especially near fallen trees, brush piles and docks with structure. Largemouth bass fishing on this 20,600-acre lake is very good but this fishery receives a lot of pressure. However, some crappie anglers have invested considerable time and effort for this species and are consistently successful. Smith Mountain Lake May Fishing Report - Spring time is the best time, but cold weather brings changes Fishing has been great for weeks now, but these big cold fronts are making each day different. Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta: Address, Phone Number, Smith Mountain Lake Reviews: 4.5/5 540-658-9977. Suite B1 Moneta, Va. 24121. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains serve as the backdrop for the calm … Largemouth bass comprise the bulk of this fishery and far outnumber smallmouth. Smith Lake Park. Located at 13326 Booker T. Washington Hwy. “Captain Bert” is one of a select group of elite Striper Guides on the lake who combines tremendous results with top notch customer service. Flathead and channel catfish are most abundant in the upper reaches of the Roanoke and Blackwater arms and white catfish are found primarily in the lower end of the reservoir. Extensive electrofishing surveys (conducted by VDGIF fisheries biologists) each spring typically produce many largemouth bass in the 2-4 pound range with an occasional fish up to eight pounds. Smith Mountain Lake Franklin - Virginia. If you are interested in another lake other than Smith Mountain Lake, call (540) 493-9541 for information and rates. Striped bass have been stocked into this reservoir since impoundment in 1963. It offers some of the best fishing in the southeast. Guaranteed Overall Grand Prize: $46,000 For more information, visit the City of Virginia Beach website. Stafford, VA 22556. Learn more about fishing on Smith Mountain Lake. All fishing licenses are purchased online. Best depths will be from the surface to 30 feet. The lake also has white catfish, crappie, white perch, bluegill, and flathead catfish. There are numerous water activities, including swimming, boat rentals, a boat ramp and a universally accessible fishing pier. Most largemouth bass will be caught on points, rock piles, brush piles and docks. We are here to service the community with all your fishing and tackle needs. COVID-19 Update: For the latest information, please refer to our FAQ. Stocking is required to maintain the fishery, unlike other species such as bass, crappie, catfish, and shad. The lake became a popular fishing destination due to the abundance and size of stripers, but many anglers now pursue the generous populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappies and bluegills. Smith Mountain Lake is a 20,600-acre impoundment located near Roanoke in Bedford and Franklin counties. Learn more about the various experiences you can have at Smith Mountain Lake. What to Do at Smith Mountain Lake. Find Local Fishing Spots on the Interactive Map! Waters on MCB Quantico. The following information from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries provides more details about the different types of fish at Smith Mountain Lake. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, call 540-297-3642 for information and reservations; call 540-721-1639 the rest of the year. 370 Doc Stone Rd. Already have an account? Smith Mountain Lake is a 20,600-acre impoundment located near Roanoke in Bedford and Franklin counties. Smith Mountain Lake is consistently one of the top producers of bass citations in Virginia and has been hosting an ESPN Bassmaster Elite Series tournament for several years. We use light line & tackle to catch these ferocious fish which makes for an unforgettable experience! Smith Lake: Smith Lake Rd, Quantico, VA 22134. GUIDED FISHING CHARTER WITH CAPTAIN ERIK AT SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, VA OPERATED YEAR ROUND. Lake Smith, across Northampton Boulevard from the Little Creek side of Lake Whitehurst, is similar but lacks deep water. Most of the striped bass released during the summer months will not survive! The James River in Botetourt County is another of the … This reservoir has limited crappie habitat. The park concessionaire also rents boats offsite the rest of the year. Quantico Creek: Hospital Point Boat Ramp, Quantico, VA 22134. Phase Three >. As our lead guide Captain Bert is responsible for training and mentoring our guide staff. This reservoir is one of Virginia's premier fisheries, offering outstanding fishing and other recreational opportunities. Largemouth bass fishing on this 20,600-acre lake is very good but this fishery receives a lot of pressure. When you cast your line at Smith Mountain Lake, there's a good chance you'll reel in a prize-winning catch. The City of Norfolk has amended their codes to allow boats with outboard motors larger than 9.9 horse power to access the lake if the outboard is disabled (prop removed or fuel removed). Smith Mountain Lake has gained national attention for its striped bass fishery, which is the second most popular sport fish at Smith Mountain Lake. Largemouth bass Fishing should improve this month. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains serve as the backdrop for the calm waters and quiet tributaries that make for great fishing. Black bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass) are the most sought after species by anglers at Smith Mountain Lake. Water activities include power boating, canoeing, sailing, parasailing, swimming, fishing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and jet skiing. Kenny guides charters on Smith Mountain Lake year round. Anglers use live shad throughout the year, trolling is most popular during the warmer months, and casting top water or shallow running plugs is most productive in April-June at night. Contact. Address. The catfish fishery is comprised primarily of channel catfish, flathead catfish, and white catfish. Smith Lake Park. Smith Mountain Lake also stocks striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and blackmouth bass. Most striped bass are caught between the dam and buoy R80 of the Roanoke Arm and up to buoy B44 of the Blackwater Arm. On the second largest freshwater lake in the state, this picturesque park is the water enthusiast's paradise. Although the lake produces many quality size crappie, anglers should not expect to consistently catch large numbers of crappie. The largemouth bass population is good and there are opportunities to catch a citation. However, deeper portions of Smith Mountain Lake are also home to channel catfish, and you'll also find the occasional walleye. Fishing pier at Smith Mountain Lake State Park is a great fishing hole. 2021 Smith Mountain will be April 23rd - 25th. We have a large selection of tackle to fit your fishing needs, including live minnows and crickets. Among the lake's many water activities are power boating, canoeing, sailing, parasailing, swimming, fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. Rockfish Adventures is pleased to be a supporter of charities and non-profit organizations. If you can pick your fishing days come out the second or third day after the front has moved through and the weather is warming up. Print This Post BASS - Spring bass fishing begins in earnest in March and April as waters warm above 50 degrees and pre-spawn fish move to the banks. Virginia's Blue Ridge is now open in the Phase Three stage of the Commonwealth's Forward Virginia plan. Anglers should not practice catch and release for striped bass during the summer months. Reservations are taken for those wishing to rent more than six hours. Its 193 acres average only five feet in depth. Limited spawning habitat for striped bass prevents successful natural reproduction. Other fish include crappie, catfish and muskellunge. The Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area is a 42-acre preserve with more than 12,000 feet of shoreline located in the Bayside Borough of Virginia Beach at the corner of Shell Road and Northampton Blvd. Get directions, maps, and traffic for Lake Smith, VA. Lake Smith, across Northampton Boulevard from the Little Creek side of Lake Whitehurst, is similar but lacks deep water. Best lures will be jerk baits, drop shot rigs, crank baits, shaky heads, spoons, spinner baits, Carolina rigs and plastic worms. He also fishes other lakes in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Striped bass are distributed throughout the lake during most of the year but are concentrated in lower lake areas during the summer and early fall months. The cooler waters downstream proved ideal for the species and by the 1970s.The Smith River was proclaimed one of the best trout streams in … Mid-to-upper sections of both river arms (Markers R22 to R56 and B12 to B30) and main creeks like Gills and Walton are prime. Bank fishing is restricted to an area around the fishing station. Come and enjoy Striper Fishing and water recreation in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwestern Virginia on beautiful Smith Mountain Lake. Located on the beach at Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Description. STRIPER FISHING ADVENTURE 540-256-2571. The lake also has white catfish, crappie, white perch, bluegill, and flathead catfish. Many anglers consider it one of the top trophy striped bass lakes in the country. SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE FISHING REPORT February 2021 DALE WILSON’S SML GUIDE SERVICE PHONE NO: 540-297-5650 / 540-874-4950 www.captaindalewilson.us Captain Dale with 2 nice winter stripers! In addition, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries encourage striped bass anglers to quit fishing after catching their 2-fish limit in the months of July-September. Its 193 acres average only five feet in depth. Check docks, boathouses, riprap […] The waters even feature white bass, muskies, rock bass and the redbreast sunfish. However, the perch and bluegill populations are stunted. In addition to the lake, Carvins Cove and the Roanoke Valley's many rivers and streams offer great fishing for trout, muskie, crappie and more. Smith Mountain Lake Fishing With over 500 miles of shoreline as the 2nd largest lake in Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake is one of the premier places for fishing on the East Coast. Smith Mountain Lake is a beautiful 20,000 acre lake nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Quality large and smallmouth plus Crappie. Typical fish run 5 to 10 pounds but monsters still show up, including the 45lb, 10oz state record! 363 catches; 2K+ followers; 643 spots; Striped bass are the marquee attraction. for the Striped Bass. 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. The area is a popular fishing destination. You'll find quite a collection of species when you fish in Virginia's Blue Ridge. Smith Mountain Lake reigns as Virginia’s top freshwater Striped Bass fishery and holds a lake record of 49.4 lbs. Boat permits are required, and gas motors (up to 9.9 horsepower) are allowed. Smith Mountain Lake holds a thriving striper population of trophy sized fish that is one of the most sought after gamefish in the state of Virginia. Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge 101 Shenandoah Avenue NE Roanoke, VA 24016 (540) 342-6025 (800) 635-5535, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. 4185 Smith Mountain Lake Parkway Huddleston, VA 24104. H enry County's Smith River is well known to the seasoned angler for its Brown Trout. The crappie population is less abundant than most other large Virginia reservoirs but the quality of these fish is very good. Smith Mountain Lake hosted ESPN's Bassmaster Elite Series tournament trail for several years, demonstrating this reservoir supports a very good fishery. Walleyes breed naturally. Crappie anglers are generally the most productive in March-May and October-November. If you encounter a school of small stripers in the summer that are not an acceptable size for harvest, leave the immediate area and search for larger fish. The boat ramp and parking area are part of a City of Virginia Beach park and hours are posted. Lead Captain Daniel Berthiaume and Captain Doug Schmidt hold U.S. Coast Guard Licenses and are fully … Weigh in Site: Crazy Horse Marina, 400 Crazy Horse Dr, Moneta, VA 24121. In addition to the largest houseboat rental fleet on Smith Mountain Lake, we also offer a full line of pontoon boats, runabouts, fishing boats, and Wave Runners. Learn more about the program and what it means for various types of businesses & experiences in the region with our Phase Three Guidelines page. Smith Mountain Boat Rentals: 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, VA 24104, (540) 297-3642, Channel Marker R3-6. The largemouth bass population is good and there are opportunities to catch a citation. SML's lakefront includes seven free public boat launching sites, … Captain Daniel Berthiaume has been fishing Smith Mountain lake for over 15 years. 3 DAY EVENT (FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY) Entry Fee: Three Day $240 | Two Day $160 | One Day $110 (Entry fees are per angler) Location: Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. Experience Great Fishing with an Expert Get directions. © 2021 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. As with the other Norfolk lakes, the concession is closed. The history of Brown Trout in the river dates to the mid-1950s when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Philpott Dam and Reservoir. Virginia Dare Marina: 3619 Airport Rd, Moneta, VA 24121, (540) 297-7100, Channel Marker R21 Striped bass anglers utilize a variety of fishing methods such as drifting or slow trolling live shad, trolling plugs and bucktail jigs, or casting top water lures and swim baits. Please be advised that fisherman must checkin/checkout using the iSportsman online platform. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. With over 500 miles of shoreline as the 2nd largest lake in Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake is one of the premier places for fishing on the East Coast. This 17-acre site located on Doc Stone Road in northern Stafford features three baseball fields (60, 70 and 90-foot) and two synthetic turf soccer fields, all lighted and irrigated. Striper fishing can be fast paced or more relaxed depending on your desire. The limit over the entire lake, from Smith Mountain Dam on the east, to Niagara Dam on the Roanoke River, is two fish per day. Situated in Virginia's scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, 20,600-acre Smith Mountain Lake is nationally recognized for its bass and striper fishing. More Fun at Smith Mountain Lake. This reservoir is one of Virginia's premier fisheries, offering outstanding fishing and other recreational opportunities. Species include; largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, white perch and bluegill. Breckenridge Reservoir: New Breckenridge Road, Quantico, VA 22134 In the early 1980s, smallmouth, walleye, largemouth and crappie fishing improved to satisfactory levels. Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area located at 5381 Shell Road in the Bayside area of Virginia Beach will be closed to the public beginning Monday, November 18, 2013 through summer 2014 for a long-term construction project. Your satisfaction is first and foremost to the Oliver family, who have owned and operated the marina since 1996. Our guide staff the boat ramp and a universally accessible fishing pier, across Northampton Boulevard from the Little side. A good chance you 'll also find the occasional walleye CHARTER with Captain ERIK at Smith Mountain for. Bulk of this fishery receives a lot of pressure surface to 30 feet March-May October-November!, unlike other species such as bass, largemouth bass fishing on this 20,600-acre Lake is a 20,600-acre impoundment near... 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