The 9 Best Fishing Lakes in West Virginia

Discover the best fishing lakes in West Virginia for a great fishing experience. Learn about each lake’s fish population and amenities, and find the perfect spot for your next fishing trip.

Stonewall Jackson Lake

Stonewall Jackson Lake is a 1000-acre lake located near Weston in West Virginia.

Types of Fish: largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, white bass, muskellunge, sunfish, bluegill and catfish.
Types of Fishing: Spinning, trolling, fly fishing, bottom fishing and bait casting.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at the marina.
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available through the marina.
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Holiday Inn Express Weston and Hampton Inn Weston.
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Harry’s Bait & Tackle, approximately 10 miles away.
Basic Fishing Regulations: Mandatory catch-and-release for muskellunge during winter months, minimum length for bass and crappie and bag limits for some species.
Amenities of the Lake: Two boat launching ramps, campground, picnic area, swimming beach and a marina offering boat rentals and a fishing guide service.
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: BP, approximately 5 miles away.

Summersville Lake

Summersville Lake is the largest lake in West Virginia with over 6,000 acres of water.

Types of Fish: largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, flathead catfish and walleye.
Types of Fishing: Spinning, trolling, fly fishing, bottom fishing and bait casting.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at the marina.
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available through the marina.
Closest Hotels to this Lake: SpringHill Suites Summersville and Sleep Inn Summersville.
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Bob’s Bait & Tackle, approximately 10 miles away.
Basic Fishing Regulations: Mandatory catch-and-release for muskellunge during winter months, minimum length for bass and crappie and bag limits for some species.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launching ramps, campground, picnic area, swimming beach and a marina offering boat rentals and a fishing guide service.
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: Sheetz, approximately 5 miles away.

Cheat Lake

Cheat Lake is a 2400-acre lake located near Morgantown, in West Virginia.

Types of Fish: largemouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, white bass, sunfish, bluegill, northern pike and channel catfish.
Types of Fishing: Spinning, trolling, fly fishing, bank fishing and bait casting.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at the marina.
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available through the marina.
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Comfort Inn & Suites Morgantown and Sleep Inn Morgantown.
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Hook Line & Sinker, approximately 5 miles away.
Basic Fishing Regulations: Mandatory catch-and-release for muskellunge during winter months, minimum length for bass and crappie and bag limits for some species.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launching ramps, campground, picnic area, swimming beach and a marina offering boat rentals and a fishing guide service.
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: Shell, approximately 3 miles away.

Strouds Run Lake

Strouds Run Lake is a 567-acre lake located near Athens in West Virginia.

Types of Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, northern pike and walleye.
Types of Fishing: Spinning, trolling, fly fishing, bank fishing and bait casting.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at the marina.
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available through the marina.
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Best Western Mid-Ohio and Holiday Inn Express Athens.
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Gander Outdoors, approximately 12 miles away.
Basic Fishing Regulations: Mandatory catch-and-release for muskellunge during winter months, minimum length for bass and crappie, and bag limits for some species.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launching ramps, campground, picnic area, swimming beach and a marina offering boat rentals and a fishing guide service.
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: BP, approximately 8 miles away.

Burnsville Lake

Burnsville Lake is a 550-acre lake located near Burnsville in West Virginia.

Types of Fish: largemouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, white bass, sunfish, bluegill and catfish.
Types of Fishing: Spinning, trolling, fly fishing, bottom fishing and bait casting.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at the marina.
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available through the marina.
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Super 8 Burnsville and Best Western Burnsville.
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: High Country Outdoor Supply, approximately 7 miles away.
Basic Fishing Regulations: Mandatory catch-and-release for muskellunge during winter months, minimum length for bass and crappie, and bag limits for some species.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launching ramps, campground, picnic area, swimming beach and a marina offering boat rentals and a fishing guide service.
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: BP, approximately 5 miles away.

Tygart Lake

Tygart Lake is a 1600-acre lake located near Elkins in West Virginia.

Types of Fish: largemouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, white bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie and yellow perch.
Types of Fishing: Spinning, trolling, fly fishing, bank fishing and bait casting.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at the marina.
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available through the marina.
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Hampton Inn Elkins and Quality Inn Elkins.
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Hook Line & Sinker, approximately 10 miles away.
Basic Fishing Regulations: Mandatory catch-and-release for muskellunge during winter months, minimum length for bass and crappie and bag limits for some species.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launching ramps, campground, picnic area, swimming beach and a marina offering boat rentals and a fishing guide service.
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: Sheetz, approximately 5 miles away.

Hazelton Lake

Hazelton Lake is a 844-acre lake located near Philippi in West Virginia.

Types of Fish: largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, channel catfish, hybrid bass, trout, white bass and bluegill.
Types of Fishing: Spinning, trolling, fly fishing, bottom fishing and bait casting.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at the marina.
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available through the marina.
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Holiday Inn Express Philippi and Super 8 Philippi.
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Mountain State Fishing Supply, approximately 8 miles away.
Basic Fishing Regulations: Mandatory catch-and-release for muskellunge during winter months, minimum length for bass and crappie, and bag limits for some species.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launching ramps, campground, picnic area, swimming beach and a marina offering boat rentals and a fishing guide service.
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: BP, approximately 5 miles away.

Beaver Lake

Beaver Lake is a 900-acre lake located near Beckley in West Virginia.

Types of Fish: largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, catfish and yellow perch.
Types of Fishing: Spinning, trolling, fly fishing, bank fishing and bait casting.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at the marina.
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available through the marina.
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Holiday Inn Express Beckley and Comfort Inn Beckley.
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Tack Shack Outfitters, approximately 10 miles away.
Basic Fishing Regulations: Mandatory catch-and-release for muskellunge during winter months, minimum length for bass and crappie, and bag limits for some species.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launching ramps, campground, picnic area, swimming beach and a marina offering boat rentals and a fishing guide service.
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: BP, approximately 5 miles away.

Bluestone Lake

Bluestone Lake is a 2800-acre lake located near Hinton in West Virginia.

Types of Fish: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, muskellunge, bluegill, catfish, crappie and yellow perch.
Types of Fishing: Spinning, trolling, fly fishing, bank fishing and bait casting.
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes, available at the marina.
Fishing Guide Service: Yes, available through the marina.
Closest Hotels to this Lake: Holiday Inn Express Hinton and Super 8 Hinton.
Nearest Fishing Store and How Far Away It Is: Bluestone Outfitters, approximately 5 miles away.
Basic Fishing Regulations: Mandatory catch-and-release for muskellunge during winter months, minimum length for bass and crappie, and bag limits for some species.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat launching ramps, campground, picnic area, swimming beach and a marina offering boat rentals and a fishing guide service.
Nearest Gas Station and How Far Away It Is: Sheetz, approximately 3 miles away.

Find Good Fishing Spots in West Virginia and Other Nearby Lakes on The Map

Are you looking for a great place to go fishing in “West Virginia”? Check out the Google map below to explore other lakes and good fishing locations in the area! With the help of this map, you can discover some of the best fishing spots in West Virginia, including a variety of lakes, rivers and streams. Whether you’re an experienced fisherman or a beginner, you’ll be sure to find something that suits your needs. So take a look and find yourself a great spot to cast your line!

Check the Weather Forecast for Your Next Fishing Trip to West Virginia

The weather in West Virginia is ideal for sport fishing throughout the year. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures reaching the mid 80s while winters are cold with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Spring and fall are mild with temperatures in the mid 60s. This temperate climate makes it ideal for fishing throughout the year, allowing anglers to enjoy their favorite pastime year-round.