Description
Note: This site is viewable only by boat.
Lakes Cohoon and Meade are reservoirs in the City of Suffolk, owned by the City of Portsmouth. Both 510-acre Lake Cohoon and 512-acre Lake Meade are accessible at the Lake Cohoon-Meade Fishing Station where boat and motor rentals are available. Day passes are also available for persons without Annual Permits. A permit (daily or annual) from the City of Portsmouth is required for fishing or boating out on their lakes.
During summer, both lakes offer riparian edges and weedy banks that are havens for sunbathing dragon- and damselflies. Both reservoirs provide mudflats that attract a variety of shorebirds, such as breeding green heron, migrating greater yellowlegs, and spotted sandpiper. The woodland edges and the surrounding forests support opportunities to view many migrating and nesting passerines. Wintering shorebirds and waterfowl can also be plentiful at the lakes.
These lakes serve as popular destinations for anglers in search of largemouth bass, crappie, chain pickerel, and redear sunfish.
Wildlife Sightings
Birds Recently Seen at Lake Cohoon and Lake Meade:
69 species have been reported at this site to date.
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Dec 2025 | 1 | Phillip Salzinger |
| 17 Dec 2025 | 9 | Debbie Price |
| 11 Dec 2025 | 11 | Rodney Bland |
| 25 Nov 2025 | 8 | Jean Cowan |
| 24 Feb 2025 | 4 | Daniel Bailey |
Amenities & Accessibility Considerations
Site Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
- No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement
Maps & Directions
Physical Address (Lake Cohoon-Meade Fishing Station): 1805 Pitchkettle Road, Portsmouth, VA 23701
From US-58 in Suffolk, exit CR 604/ Pitchkettle Rd. Turn right onto Pitchkettle Rd. and continue 0.8 miles to the Cohoon-Meade Fishing Station on left.
Site Information
Managed By:
- 0
Access Requirements:
Contact Information:
- Visit Website
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