Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

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Smith Mountain Lake, "The Jewel of the Blue Ridge," is a beautiful man-made lake located near Roanoke. The lake covers 20,600 acres. It is approximately 40-mile long lake with 500 miles of shoreline. Recreational activities include boating, fishing, restaurants, golfing and a state park with beaches and camping. Much of the 500 miles of shoreline has been developed with houses, townhouses, and condominiums, making the lake a premiere resort and retirement area. It was created by the damming of the Roanoke River at Smith Mountain Gap and managed for hydroelectric power generation.

Smith Mountain Lake is one of Virginia's premier fisheries. Black bass (largemouth and smallmouth bass) are the most sought after species by anglers at Smith Mountain Lake and the lake is a top producer of Virginia's bass citations. Largemouth bass comprise the bulk of this fishery and outnumber smallmouth ten to one.

Largemouth bass fishing is very good but receives much pressure. Surveys each spring produce many largemouth bass in the 2-4 pound range with good stability for several years. 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 than are largemouth bass. 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.

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. Limited spawning habitat for striped bass prevents natural reproduction so stocking is required to maintain the fishery. Recent good year-classes of stripers producing many fish up to 28 inches. Stripers are distributed throughout the lake during most of the year but are concentrated in lower lake areas during the summer and early fall months. Summer striped bass anglers should concentrate their efforts on the main lake when water temperatures begin to rise. Cooler weather striped bass anglers might concentrate on back cove, flowing streams during the winter and early spring months. Striped bass anglers often utilize a fishing methods such as drifting live bait such as shad, trolling plugs and bucktail jigs, or casting top water lures. Most striped bass are caught between the dams and buoy 64 of the Roanoke Arm and up to buoy 40 of the Blackwater Arm. Look for information brochures around the lake community or contact the VDGIF regional office in Forest, Virginia, for more details on how to practice effective catch-and-release for striped bass. Also, there is a very active tagging program with a reward for returned tags.

Smith Mountain Lake has limited crappie habitat. An average of 33 citations (trophy certificates) have been issued for crappie at Smith Mountain over the past six years. Although the lake produces many quality size crappies, anglers should not expect to consistently catch large numbers of crappie. 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.

Smith Mountain 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. There is a small amount of natural reproduction of walleye occurring in the reservoir.

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. Additional information on lodging, marinas, and other attractions can be obtained by calling the Smith Mountain Lake Visitors Center at 1-800-676-8203.

Please see Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries for regulations. Much of this site is taken from Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries pages.