Fishing in the Southwest & Blue Ridge
Explore fishing in the Southwest & Blue Ridge of Virginia. Claytor Lake, New River, Smith Mountain Lake, Blue Water Pond
Claytor Lake offers excellent fishing in the Southwest & Blue Ridge of Virginia with good public access.
1. Claytor Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Claytor Lake, VirginiaClaytor Lake offers excellent fishing in the Southwest & Blue Ridge of Virginia with good public access.
- ⚠ This water: No smallmouth less than 14 inches
2. New River (Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie)
New River, VirginiaNew River offers excellent fishing in the Southwest & Blue Ridge of Virginia with good public access.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 per day combined · No statewide length limits (lake exceptions apply)
- Bluegill & other sunfish (excl. crappie, rock bass, Roanoke bass) · Limit: 50 per day combined · No statewide length limits
3. Smith Mountain Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Smith Mountain Lake, VirginiaSmith Mountain Lake offers excellent fishing in the Southwest & Blue Ridge of Virginia with good public access.
- ⚠ This water: Striped bass 2/day; Nov-May no 30-40 in slot retention.
4. Blue Water Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Blue Water Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
5. Lake Copper (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Lake Copper, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
6. Cress Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Cress Lake, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
7. Flag Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Flag Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
8. Gibson Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Gibson Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
9. Gullion Fork Fishing Ponds (Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie)
Gullion Fork Fishing Ponds, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 per day combined · No statewide length limits (lake exceptions apply)
- Bluegill & other sunfish (excl. crappie, rock bass, Roanoke bass) · Limit: 50 per day combined · No statewide length limits
10. Mountain Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Mountain Lake, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
11. Lake Mountain Top (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Lake Mountain Top, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
12. Salt Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Salt Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
13. Slemp Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Slemp Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
14. Adams Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Adams Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
15. Arey Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Arey Lake, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
16. Ash Pond Area Number One (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Ash Pond Area Number One, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
17. Ash Pond Number Two (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Ash Pond Number Two, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
18. Back Creek Lake (Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie)
Back Creek Lake, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 per day combined · No statewide length limits (lake exceptions apply)
- Bluegill & other sunfish (excl. crappie, rock bass, Roanoke bass) · Limit: 50 per day combined · No statewide length limits
19. Bacon Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Bacon Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
20. Bark Camp Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Bark Camp Lake, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
21. Beach Hollow Lakes (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Beach Hollow Lakes, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
22. Bear Creek Reservoir (Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie)
Bear Creek Reservoir, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 per day combined · No statewide length limits (lake exceptions apply)
- Bluegill & other sunfish (excl. crappie, rock bass, Roanoke bass) · Limit: 50 per day combined · No statewide length limits
23. Beaver Creek Impoundment (Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie)
Beaver Creek Impoundment, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 per day combined · No statewide length limits (lake exceptions apply)
- Bluegill & other sunfish (excl. crappie, rock bass, Roanoke bass) · Limit: 50 per day combined · No statewide length limits
24. Beaver Creek Lake (Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie)
Beaver Creek Lake, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
- Largemouth & smallmouth bass · Limit: 5 per day combined · No statewide length limits (lake exceptions apply)
- Bluegill & other sunfish (excl. crappie, rock bass, Roanoke bass) · Limit: 50 per day combined · No statewide length limits
25. Beaverdam Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Beaverdam Reservoir, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
Boat Launch: Hardy Ford public boat ramp →
26. Bedford Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Bedford Lake, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
27. Bedford Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Bedford Reservoir, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
28. Bellches Millpond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Bellches Millpond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
29. Belvoir Farm Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Belvoir Farm Lake, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
30. Belsches Millpond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Belsches Millpond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
31. Benzinger Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Benzinger Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
32. Bermbergers Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Bermbergers Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
33. Berryville Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Berryville Reservoir, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
Boat Launch: Rte 7 Boat Ramp →
34. Bevins Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Bevins Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
35. Big Bethel Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Big Bethel Reservoir, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
36. Big Cherry Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Big Cherry Reservoir, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
37. Big Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Big Lake, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
38. Big Lake Arrowhead (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Big Lake Arrowhead, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
39. Big Pond (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Big Pond, VirginiaNamed lake in the Southwest & Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
Fishing Tips for the Southwest & Blue Ridge
- Get a licence — All anglers need a valid state fishing licence — check your state's wildlife agency site.
- Check the weather & water conditions — always check forecasts and wind before heading out, especially on big water.
- Know the regulations — size and catch limits vary by water body in Virginia; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many Southwest & Blue Ridge waters fish best in spring and fall.
- Use the right gear — match your rod, line, and tackle to the species you're chasing and the water you're fishing.
More Regions in Virginia
- Coastal & Chesapeake Bay
- Hampton Roads & Tidewater
- Northern VA & Potomac
- Virginia's Piedmont & Central
- Shenandoah & Mountains
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