Quick Take
- One Virginia reservoir holds two completely different fisheries at the same time, and knowing which layer to target changes everything. Explore the dual fishery →
- Shore fishing at several of these spots sounds convenient, though at some lakes it could quietly ruin your whole trip. Check shore access warnings →
- Virginia's biggest freshwater lake is so large that its fish actually move to different parts of it depending on the season, with summer being the trickiest time to find them. Find fish by season →
- One spot on this list bans most motorized boats, and yet serious anglers still rate it among Virginia's best summer fisheries. Discover the no-motor hotspot →
Summer fishing in Virginia offers incredible variety, from cool mountain streams and broad inland rivers to massive reservoirs and the fertile waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Anglers can target warm-water species like bass and catfish inland, while the coastal waters provide exciting saltwater fishing with flounder, cobia, and red drum. Continue reading to discover some of the best fishing holes Virginia has to offer.
Smith Mountain Lake
Smith Mountain Lake is a 20,600-acre reservoir with over 500 miles of shoreline located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. During the hot summer months, anglers target striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, and crappie by utilizing deep-water or early-morning tactics.
Fishing on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.
Boat fishing is vastly superior to shore fishing at Smith Mountain Lake because of the reservoir’s immense size and restricted shoreline access. While shore fishing offers a budget-friendly option at designated spots like the State Park, a boat unlocks the deep-water channels, submerged structures, and cool drop-offs where trophy striped bass and schools of largemouth bass migrate during the summer heat.
Lake Moomaw
Nestled in the Allegheny Highlands of Western Virginia, Lake Moomaw is a deep 2,530-acre impoundment of the Jackson River with 43 miles of undeveloped shoreline. During summer, the clear reservoir stratifies into a unique warm-water/cold-water fishery. Anglers can cast a line for warm-water species like smallmouth and largemouth bass, channel catfish, and black crappie near the surface, while cold-water brown and rainbow trout inhabit the deeper, cooler water.
Lake Moomaw offers boaters and shore fishermen a splendid fishing experience.
©Michele M Cook/Shutterstock.com
Anglers at Lake Moomaw can find success from both boat and shore, although boating offers a distinct advantage for exploring the lake’s deep, steep-sided terrain. Boaters can easily access the reservoir’s submerged structures, standing timber, and the deep channels where trout seek cooler temperatures during the summer. For shore-bound fishermen, the lake features designated bank-fishing areas near public recreation sites, campgrounds, and fishing piers.
Buggs Island Lake
Buggs Island Lake, also known as the John H. Kerr Reservoir, is Virginia’s largest freshwater lake, spanning approximately 48,900 to 50,000 acres with 800 to 900 miles of shoreline along the Virginia-North Carolina border. During the summer, fishing patterns shift as largemouth and striped bass move to deeper creek arms and the lower end of the lake, joining abundant populations of crappie, white perch, and trophy blue and flathead catfish.
John H. Kerr Reservoir (Buggs Island Lake) in Virginia.
©J. M. Pavlic III/Shutterstock.com
Boat fishing is recommended over shore fishing for summer success at Buggs Island Lake because hot water temperatures push game fish, including striped bass, largemouth bass, and large catfish, away from the banks into deep, cooler waters, main river channels, and submerged structures. However, shore anglers can still find success catching species such as sunfish or channel catfish.
Lake Anna
Lake Anna is a 13,000-acre reservoir in central Virginia, including both public and private sections. During the summer, fishing requires targeting deeper offshore structures or fishing during early morning and late evening hours as water temperatures rise.
Calm waters are on display at Lake Anna as the sun sets.
©JWorley-Adventures/Shutterstock.com
Boating is the superior choice for summer fishing on Lake Anna because rising water temperatures push sportfish away from the banks into deeper, cooler water. A boat provides access to fish in the deeper points, humps, and main river channels where they congregate. While shore fishing remains possible at Lake Anna State Park, bank access elsewhere on the lake is severely limited by private residential docks, making a watercraft essential for a productive summer trip.
Carvins Cove
Another of Virginia’s hidden gems, Carvins Cove is a 600-plus-acre reservoir in Southwest Virginia, just north of Roanoke. During the summer, anglers target its clear, deep waters from the shore, piers, or non-motorized and low-horsepower boats for abundant sportfish, such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, channel catfish, and hybrid striped bass.
Piers at Carvins Cove on a misty morning.
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Claytor Lake
Claytor Lake is a 4,472-acre, 21-mile-long reservoir on the New River in Pulaski County, Southwestern Virginia. During the summer, anglers target deep rocky points and shaded docks for smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass, as well as striped bass, hybrid stripers, channel and flathead catfish, crappie, and bluegill.
Claytor Lake is a popular summer destination for families looking to commune with nature.
©Rui Serra Maia/Shutterstock.com
For the ultimate summer fishing experience at Claytor Lake, a boat is recommended because it grants access to the deep main-lake channels, submerged structures, and drop-offs where fish gather in the midday heat. However, shore fishing remains highly viable, especially for families and casual anglers, thanks to the excellent bank access, dedicated fishing piers, and walkway structures provided within Claytor Lake State Park.
Nottoway River
Flowing approximately 130-155 miles through south-central and southeastern Virginia, the Nottoway River offers exceptional warm-weather angling in a remote, scenic setting. During the summer, low flows make upstream rocky sections ideal for wading to target smallmouth and Roanoke bass.
Meanwhile, the deeper, slower coastal plain and swamp stretches downstream support thriving populations of largemouth bass, blue catfish, and trophy-sized redear sunfish. The Nottoway River accommodates both boat and bank anglers.
In the upper rocky sections, bank anglers can easily wade into the water during low summer flows to access excellent smallmouth habitat, while kayakers and canoeists can float between shallow pools. Downstream, the river becomes deeper and slower, making a small motorized boat, jon boat, or stable kayak essential for navigating the swampy shorelines.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is a sprawling coastal city of about 497 square miles located in southeastern Virginia, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay. During the summer, it becomes a premier fishing destination, offering both inshore and offshore opportunities.
Aerial View of the North Carolina and Virginia Border at the beach between Virginia Beach and the North Carolina state line.
©Kyle Little/iStock via Getty Images
Choosing between boat and surf fishing in Virginia Beach depends on your budget and target species. Boat fishing provides access to deep offshore waters for large game fish like cobia, spadefish, and Spanish mackerel, but requires renting or chartering a vessel. Surf fishing is highly accessible and inexpensive, allowing you to cast directly from the sand for croaker, spot, and puppy drum.
