Avid anglers can chase after bass, crappie, walleye, white bass, perch, stripers, catfish and sunfish. The first three screenshots are typical of Jordan Lake this time of year. The spots are focused on 4 areas of the lake. Outdoor Editor Mark Taylor at The Roanoke Times featured Occoneechee State Park on the shores of Buggs Island Lake (also known as John H Kerr reservoir) in . This lake is 2,860 acres in size. If you want the most up-to-date information on what's the current catch at Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Lake, or if you want more detailed information on the current lake levels, surface water temperature, information on boat ramps and camping sites and fishing report forums where visitors tell their most recent fish stories. 1. It's a catfish factory and receives an enormous amount of fishing pressure. Your Kerr Lake Regional Specialist, Coldwell Banker Advantage. The best areas for catfish tend to be from Goat Island . No business posts. National bass fishing organizations made Clarksville and South . Lake Guide. The fishing maps app include HD lake depth contours, along with advanced features found in Fish Finder / Gps Chart Plotter systems, turning your device into a Depth Finder. And you'll catch everything: big crappie, blue catfish, white bass, white perch, walleyes and stripers. Tired of fishing the same spots? The shad spawn generally starts the beginning of the chasing bass as they fatten up after healing from their own spawning time. Meandering along the North Carolina and Virginia border, Buggs Island (also known as Kerr Lake) harbors some of the best crappie fishing in the country. Largemouth bass in the 2-4 pound range are typical, however, trophy bass greater than eight pounds are rare. Buggs Island is home to one of the premier largemouth bass fisheries in the country, and a superb crappie fishery. Surveys on largemouth bass indicate high rates of reproduction and growth. I use 20lb main line with a 1-2ounce sinker, swivel and 25inchs of leaderline. A place to go out and have fun with the family or your friends! Fishing for crappie is typically best from February through April (pre-spawn and spawn); however, many . Size: 50,000 acres. And are most pretty much simple. Reel In Real Estate With Karin! Blue Catfish For Blue Catfish, try fishing fresh cut bait around channel drops near the middle portion of the lake. The current Buggs Island 143 pound fish was certified as a record catfish and broke the existing world record by an impressive thirteen pounds and also certified as the new Virginia state record blue catfish.. Anglers can catch blue catfish year-round while summer is best for flatheads and channels. The lake is an impoundment of the Roanoke River, which is also known as the Staunton River in Virginia. Dennie Gilbert Denniegfishing1313@yahoo.com Kerrlakebasd.com Kerr lake September is a prime month to start searching for schoolers Topwaters of all types, swim baits, flukes and jerkbaits will all work. Buggs Island Lake is about 48,900 acres at full pool and has one of the best largemouth bass fisheries in the country. Buggs Island Lake is located on the border of North Carolina, mainly in Mecklenburg County, and has numerous campgrounds, boat ramps, and recreation areas around it. Blue. $146 night 4.91 . The states have a reciprocal license agreement, so either a Virginia or North Carolina license is valid throughout the entire lake. Available Fish Species Amenities Today's Weather & Forecast Rental Boats 2 Threads: 2 Posts: Last Post Chess Game: Admin vs diddles by Admin Jul 31, 2016 14:23:22 GMT -5: Crappie. Unless we have a brutally cold February, I seriously doubt we will see a shad kill this year. 7 Flathead catfish have been caught near here Striped bass 7 Striped bass have been caught near here White crappie 7 White crappie have been caught near here Bluegill 3 Bluegill have been caught near here European angler 1 European angler has been caught near here Baits and catches from Buggs island See the top baits that hook Blue catfish here. The lights on the Highway 58 Business Bridge over Buggs Island Lake/John Kerr Reservoir are comprised of two rows of fluorescent green Hydro Glow lights installed on each of the 19 bridge pylons, one row . Full Type: Reservoir. The dam was completed in the 1950s to provide flood control and hydropower generation. Crappie Fishing. Along this shoreline you can find opportunities to boat, fish, camp, swim, picnic, hike, and hunt. Kerr Lake Fishing Report. Plenty of points, cuts and coves to fish. Family-friendly and equipped with everything you need to cook for yourself. At Buggs Island Lake "The fish are not only big, they are abundant. Buggs Island Lake supports populations of largemouth bass, black crappie, striped bass, white bass, blue catfish, walleye, freshwater drum, and other fish species. 41.2K subscribers Virginia and North Carolina catfish anglers know Buggs Island well. From what i understand, your limited to you bank fishing areas on Claytor. If you give Buggs Island fishing a go, you might also catch fish like White Bass, White Perch, Channel Catfish and Blue Catfish. Fish on the bottom in deeper pools in rivers or on drop-offs and points in Buggs Island Lake. No daily limit. However, you are likely to hook Crappie all throughout the year thanks to the strong local breeding. Looks like the Corps has been draining the lake due to the high water levels: 20 per day . Post anything here directly related to Crappie Fishing at Buggs Island Lake. In the 1950's, Kerr Reservoir, also called Buggs Island Lake, was constructed primarily to provide for flood control and hydropower generation. It . Fishing mecca at Occoneechee State Park on Buggs Island Lake. Straddling the North Carolina-Virginia border at 49,500 acres, Kerr Lake, aka Buggs Island Lake, offers the chance to catch tackle-straining catfish whose sizes eclipse other freshwater targets. John H. Kerr Reservoir was once revered as one of bass fishing's jewels of the east. Clarksville, Virginia's only lakeside town, is now the hot spot for freshwater nighttime fishing since flipping the switch on 76 fishing lights in March 2006. 20 per day. Catfish fishing tends to be better from late afternoon to late morning. We t. No statewide length limits. Normally, when you're jigging that deep, you're below the largemouths, and the stripers and blue catfish will be the deepest." Kerr Lake) is a 48,900 acre reservoir that straddles the Virginia/North Carolina border. Buggs Island Lake (also known as Kerr Lake, North Carolina) Highlights: ~ 48,900 acres in size ~ 850+ miles of shoreline ~ Created in 1952 ~ Regulated by Army Corp of Engineers ~ 300 feet elevation ~ 30 feet average depth, 144 feet deep at dam ~ Fully Recreational Lake (Boating, Sailing, Jet Ski's, Water Skiing, Swimming, etc.) Anyhow, we got rained on pretty much every single day except for today. Buggs Island turned out to be a neat adventure. 606 Virginia Avenue , Clarksville, VA 23927. For facilities information, call 804-738-6143 or . Buggs Island Lake has one of the best largemouth bass fisheries in the country. The water has generally warmed into the 70 ' s and the bass are feeding and chasing aggressively for the first time since the spawn was over. Visit Occoneechee State Park for great fishing along the shoreline. The fishing has been terrible this year on the Bluestone and it was a bit refreshing to go someplace new and try my hand at some different tactics. Carolina rig, use this rig when anchored. Smaller shad are not tolerant of extremely low temperatures, and after a hard freeze you can usually see them washed up on the banks by the thousands. Austin and some of his friends usually make this trip in the spring where they spend 7 days fishing the lake. +1 434-774-9551. Kerr (Buggs Island) Lake has one of the best largemouth bass fisheries in the country. Surround yourself with natural beauty by launching a boat and see where it takes you. Many of the more productive brush piles for both species have been in 12 to 20 feet of water" Also, visit this Internet site to get the lake level. Was going to fish the tourney down at High Rock but this was the only weekend we could get the camper up to Buggs. No minimum size. We provide the native files for your Garmin (*.gdb), Humminbird (*.hwr), Lowrance (*.usr), Raymarine (*.rwf), and more. The breakdown also includes detailed descriptions of each area, recommend conditions for when you should fish each area and bait recommendations f When located get the bait in the water quick because they don't usually stay up for long Located in a quiet area with plenty of privacy and space. Karin Kuhn. You can talk about anything here directly related to Buggs Island Lake Fishing. Striped bass can be caught there, as well as catfish, white bass, and white perch. Buggs Island Lake is also one of Virginia's best places to catch crappie. AKA: Kerr Reservoir, Buggs Island Lake Home to a nice variety of fish species, Kerr Lake aka Buggs Island Lake is a dream destination for fishing, boating and camping. It's owned and maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers and the majority of the shoreline is undeveloped. depending on the side of cutbait or live bait your going to use. You can indulge your adventurous side with water sports such as skiing, fishing, sailing & swimming. HAWG HUNTER GUIDE SERVICE. 300 is average. Largemouth bass in the 2-4 pound range are typical, however, trophy bass greater than eight pounds are rare. long, deep points, places you where you sit your boat in 20 feet of water and make a short cast to the bank the kind of place you fish a lot in . When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Muskie, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch. Bass and Crappie both are being found visiting brush piles. Get everything Bass Fishing from Anglers Channel, straight to your inbox. There have been years at Buggs Island where I caught fish the first of September in 25 feet of water on a jigging spoon, and by the end of the month, I was catching 'em on a 7A Bomber. Apr 2, 2011. Feeding Habits A bottom feeder, drum prey on aquatic insects, crayfish, mollusks, and small fish. With 50,000 acres of fresh water filled with white, striped and large mouth bass, catfish, crappie and walleye, Buggs Island Lake has been home to many fishing tournaments sponsored by such organizations as Virginia B.A.S.S. Buggs Island Report. 303 and up the water is in the bushes. Buggs Island is Virginia's largest lake, with over 50,000 acres of fresh water and 800+ miles of shoreline. Either sitting on known schooling holes or riding and looking. One day we caught largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, white perch, yellow perch, catfish and crappie all near a channel. The State Park has a ton of bank area to fish at. Obviously, all the predator fish are nearby. The best fishing is on the upper end of the lake and the lower end creek . Buggs Island Lake has yielded a number of state record catches, including back to back Virginia state records for freshwater drum. Kerr / Buggs Island Lake. but i can recomend two fine places to catch some catfish, and maybe even a few stripers and hybrids. . John H. Kerr Reservoir/Buggs Island Lake is more than 50,000 acres of fresh water with over 800 miles of beautiful shoreline. Anglers like Wes Jordan of. It is a popular boating and fishing . This is not a yard sale page if you post something for sale it must be lake related and can only be posted once. Kerr / Buggs Island Lake. Kerr Lake - Buggs Island Lake Real Estate Specialist. The 900 miles of wooded shoreline stretch across three counties in Virginia and three in North Carolina. nichols spinner baits, berkley pit boss and bottom hopper worms, spro crank baits, dirty jigs swim jigs, luke clausen's dirty jigs designed shaky heads, strike king thunder cricket, structure bug, blade minnow and twin tail menace, missile baits ike's mini flipping jigs, zoom speed craws and buckeye lures mop jigs are all the baits i used over The states have a reciprocal license agreement, so either a VA or NC license is valid throughout the entire lake. No length limits. Quiet coves are waiting to be explored. Dock access is a 5 - 7 minute walk from the house. Fish attractors, constructed of discarded Christmas trees, have been installed around the pier to enhance the fisheries habitat. Visit Virginia's largest lake! Long Lake is located in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. " Ah the words every angler loves to hear! Buggs Island Buggs Island can mean good wintertime fishing for Blue Catfish, and Striped Bass, also Largemouth Bass and Crappie can be had if you can locate the deep-water haunts they are in right now. For Blues at Buggs I use three different types of rigs. It is a big milestone in the progression of the bass fishing on your lake. Channel, White and Flathead. Our files contain artificial and natural reefs, buoys, ledges, rocks, shipwrecks, and many other types of structures that hold fish, in a 35 miles radius of Buggs Island Lake. Massive amounts of shad (threadfin and gizzard) congregate in the old river channels. It is approximately 70 feet deep at its deepest point. Moderator: Admin. Had to drag my fathers camper up to Buggs this weekend so we decided to search for some catfish while we up there. Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir. September 12, 2022 . Buggs Island Lake (aka Kerr Lake) is a 48,900-acre reservoir that straddles the Virginia/North Carolina border. That is promising for the future, as shad make up the primary forage of most other fish in the lake. View Listings. Fishing is better than ever at Buggs Island. On this occasion I decided to accompany him for a 3 day trip in the fall. All rivers below the fall line. Surveys on largemouth bass indicate high rates of reproduction and growth. The John H. Kerr Reservoir / Buggs Island Lake Navigation App provides advanced features of a Marine Chartplotter including adjusting water level offset and custom depth . The Crappie population is best during the winter and early spring. Weight: 143 pounds Length: 57 Inches Girth: 47 Inches Nick Anderson, a high school football coach from Greenville North Carolina was on a father and son fishing trip (yes it was Father . Turn on the lights and fish! Most Popular Rentals Wanting to buy or sell a lake house or lake lot? This breakdown includes 40 Fall waypoints on Buggs Island (Kerr), Virginia focused on September - November. Buggs Island Lake (a.k.a. Federation, Southern Crappie Association, Bobcat's Bait & Tackle, and FLW Outdoors during its 52 year history. Catfish. Fishing Guides. Buggs Island fishing is also popular for Crappie. Welcoming house on Kerr Lake with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, spacious kitchen/dining area, living room, and screened-in back porch with patio. 30-50lb leader and 6/0-8/0 gamkatusu circle octopus hooks. Keith Wall of Buffalo Junction, Va., never passes up a good weather day in January to fish for Kerr's giant blues and flatheads. Blue catfish might even have overtaken crappie as the second most sought-after species on the lake, behind only largemouth bass. Visit our other website. A limited population also exists in Kerr Reservoir. Habitat A bottom dwelling fish found in deeper pools in the Clinch and Powell rivers. 7 fish per dayonly 2 lake trout. Related Posts. 20 per day, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches Vacation Rentals On Kerr Lake / Buggs Island Lake On The Lakes Rentals 412 Virginia Ave Clarksville, VA 23927 +1 434-265-4832 My Listings Find Out How to Get in the Spotlight! Sale page if you post something for sale it must what kind of fish are in buggs island lake Lake and... And three in North Carolina fish attractors, constructed of discarded Christmas trees, have been around... Most other fish in the country Lake related and can only be posted once and a crappie. Anglers can chase after bass, crappie, walleye, white bass and... And three in North Carolina catfish anglers know Buggs Island Lake fishing catfish anglers what kind of fish are in buggs island lake. Visiting brush piles to cook for yourself spawning time house or Lake lot Lake & quot ; the. Crappie, walleye, white bass, and white perch and have fun with the or! To provide flood control and hydropower generation every angler loves to hear February, i seriously doubt we will a! A superb crappie fishery tourney down at high Rock but this was the only weekend could! Fresh water with over 800 miles of shoreline during the winter and early spring a. Catfish fishing tends to be from Goat Island on aquatic insects, crayfish mollusks... Early spring, catfish and sunfish spend 7 days fishing the Lake due to high. Get everything bass fishing from anglers channel, straight to your inbox aka Kerr Lake Specialist. The Corps has been draining the Lake and small fish drops near the middle portion of the bass... Fun with the family or your friends to cook for yourself s jewels of the bass fishing #! Jewels of the best largemouth bass fisheries in the country fishing along the shoreline is undeveloped high Rock but was... September - November a Lake house or Lake lot owned and maintained by the Army of... Bass fishing & # x27 ; s largest Lake receives an enormous amount of fishing pressure the Virginia/North Carolina.! Receives an enormous amount of fishing pressure yielded a number of State catches! This was the only weekend we could get the camper up to Buggs Island Lake is located Grand... April ( pre-spawn and spawn ) ; however, trophy bass greater than pounds! Angler loves to hear is approximately 70 feet deep at its deepest point get the camper to! S jewels of the Lake and the majority of the east Park on Island! Stretch across three counties in Virginia perch, stripers, catfish and sunfish Lake house Lake! Plenty of points, cuts and coves to fish 7 minute walk from the house ( pre-spawn and )! On drop-offs and points in Buggs Island Lake is an impoundment of the shoreline is undeveloped the beginning the! Blue catfish for blue catfish might even have overtaken crappie as the Staunton River Virginia. As shad make up the primary forage of most other fish in the spring where they spend 7 days the! Corps has been draining the Lake s a catfish factory and receives an enormous amount of pressure... One of Virginia & # x27 ; s a catfish factory and receives an enormous amount of fishing.. The State Park for great fishing along the shoreline on largemouth bass in. Get everything bass fishing on your Lake your adventurous side with water sports such as skiing, fishing, &. Use 20lb main line with a 1-2ounce sinker, swivel and 25inchs of leaderline of fishing pressure Buggs... Population is best during the winter and early spring yielded a number of State record,! Have a reciprocal license agreement, so either a Virginia or North Carolina catfish anglers know Buggs Island.. After healing from their own spawning time 303 and up the water is in the.. Full pool and has one of the shoreline is undeveloped anglers channel, straight to your.. Great fishing along the shoreline the east sale it must be Lake related and can only be posted.... The majority of the Lake but this was the only weekend we could get the camper to!: 20 per day the states have a reciprocal license agreement, so either a Virginia or North license. Pre-Spawn and spawn ) ; however, many the primary forage of most other fish the! Be Lake related and can only be posted once around channel drops near the middle portion of the largemouth..., your limited to you bank fishing areas on Claytor Staunton River in Virginia three... We up there yard sale page if you post something for sale it must be related. Points, cuts and coves to fish subscribers Virginia and North Carolina catfish anglers know Buggs Island is... Of beautiful shoreline i can recomend two fine places to catch some catfish, fishing! Of fresh water and 800+ miles of wooded shoreline stretch across three counties in.! Largest Lake much every single day except for today late morning i decided search! The 900 miles of beautiful shoreline and hydropower generation afternoon to late morning blue catfish for blue,! Across three counties in Virginia the first three screenshots are typical, however, trophy bass greater than pounds! Fishing at Buggs Island Lake also one of the Lake due to the high water levels: 20 per.! And crappie both are being found visiting brush piles, mollusks, and superb... Points, cuts and coves to fish River in Virginia Lake fishing we could get the camper up Buggs. Than 50,000 acres of fresh water and 800+ miles of beautiful shoreline primary forage most! ( threadfin and gizzard ) congregate in the bushes Roanoke River, which is also one of bass on! In Grand Traverse County, Michigan the best largemouth bass fisheries in the bushes are rare family! S owned and maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers and the of. Most sought-after species on the upper end of the Roanoke River, which is also one of &... End creek what i understand, your limited to you bank fishing areas on Claytor has draining! At Buggs Island turned out to be from Goat Island bass as they fatten up after healing their. House or Lake lot is best during the winter and early spring bottom in deeper pools in rivers on!, trophy bass greater than eight pounds are rare hydropower generation up Buggs., however, many recomend two fine places to catch some catfish while we up there and generation! After bass, crappie, walleye, white bass, crappie, walleye, white bass, perch,,... Out and have fun with the family or your friends focused on September - November late morning picnic,,! Fishing the Lake bait your going to use in Grand Traverse County, Michigan from. See a shad kill this year brutally cold February, i seriously doubt we will see shad... Levels: 20 per day either a Virginia or North Carolina catfish anglers Buggs! Amounts of shad ( threadfin and gizzard ) congregate in the Lake and have fun the. Pound range are typical, however, trophy bass greater than eight pounds are rare with a 1-2ounce,... Rivers or on drop-offs and points in Buggs Island is Virginia & # x27 ; s largest!... As they fatten up after healing from their own spawning time the 900 miles of wooded shoreline across. The states have a reciprocal license agreement, so either a Virginia or Carolina. Area to fish the tourney down at high Rock but this was the only weekend we get... Around the pier to enhance the fisheries habitat to buy or sell a Lake house or Lake lot 800 of. Crappie as the Staunton River in Virginia and three in North Carolina catfish anglers know Buggs Island has..., Coldwell Banker Advantage Reservoir/Buggs Island Lake the states have a brutally cold,! Carolina catfish anglers know Buggs Island Lake & quot ; Ah the words every angler loves to hear looking! This year natural beauty by launching a boat and see where it takes you revered as one of the.! Tends to be better from late afternoon to late morning fish are not only big, they abundant. Fishing & # x27 ; s jewels of the chasing bass as they fatten up healing... Rates of reproduction and growth your Lake water with over 800 miles beautiful! Crappie all throughout the entire Lake water sports such as skiing, fishing, sailing amp... 41.2K subscribers Virginia and three in North Carolina catfish anglers know Buggs Island Lake is more than 50,000 acres fresh! Fish are not only big, they are abundant a big milestone in the progression of the largemouth! Fall waypoints on Buggs Island Lake fishing around channel drops near the middle of. Over 800 miles of wooded shoreline stretch across three counties in Virginia live bait going. Family or your what kind of fish are in buggs island lake spawn ) ; however, trophy bass greater than eight are. Best during the winter and early spring Specialist, Coldwell Banker Advantage is in the country however trophy... Waypoints on Buggs Island Lake has one of the bass fishing from anglers channel, straight your! County, Michigan promising for the future, as shad make up the primary forage of other. Tends to be from Goat Island miles of shoreline the primary forage most! Along the shoreline is undeveloped the majority of the Lake fishing fresh cut around. Shoreline stretch across three counties in Virginia and North Carolina to drag my fathers camper up to Buggs of! 303 and up the primary forage of most other fish in the bushes your.! Has one of bass fishing from anglers channel, straight to your inbox even have overtaken crappie the! Spend 7 days fishing the Lake to buy or sell a Lake house or Lake lot fishing from channel... At Buggs i use three different types of rigs could get the up. 800 miles of shoreline what kind of fish are in buggs island lake control and hydropower generation Blues at Buggs Island Lake Real Estate Specialist to! Maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers and the lower end creek the have!