Lake Conner is a 100-acre impoundment in Halifax County, Virginia. The lake is owned and managed by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Located in rural Southside Virginia, Lake Conner offers anglers great fishing opportunities in a picturesque, wooded setting. However, Lake Conner is best known for holding the state record largemouth bass (16 pounds, 4 ounces) since 1985.
Anglers fishing Lake Conner are likely to catch largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, chain pickerel, yellow perch, and bullhead catfish. Largemouth bass harvest is regulated with a “trophy slot limit” of 16–22 inches to try and maintain citation-sized bass in the lake. Expert anglers pursuing trophy bass will be challenged at Lake Conner, but the lake is also well suited for beginning anglers who are interested in catching fish that aren’t necessarily trophies.
Access Permit Requirement
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) requires an Access Permit for visitors to department-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and public fishing lakes, who are age 17 and older, unless they possess a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current Virginia boat registration. Learn more about the Access Permit.
Maps & Directions
Lake Conner is located approximately 20 miles north of South Boston, Virginia. From U.S. 360, take Route 746. Turn left on Route 603, then right on Route 619, then right on Route 623 to Route 624. Map
Fishing
Largemouth bass
For years, largemouth bass in Lake Conner were overabundant, but DWR changed the regulation to a 16-22 inch protected slot limit. This limit was designed to increase harvest on younger largemouth bass to maintain good growth rates. Additionally, this limit would protect adult largemouth bass until they reached trophy or citation size. Sampling indicates that the regulation has accomplished its objective. The abundance of largemouth bass below the slot limit (less than 16 inches) has been slightly reduced and the number of trophy fish in the lake appears to be relatively high. Biologists will continue to monitor this new trophy regulation to assure that it is meeting the objectives of the fishery.
Panfish
Bluegill, redear sunfish, and crappie in Lake Conner are similar to other southside lakes. Bluegill and redear sunfish are abundant and redear’s tend to be larger. Anglers can expect to catch bluegill up to 8 inches and redear up to 11 inches. Beginning in late April, anglers should be able to catch a lot of fish as they begin to move shallow to spawn. Live bait such as crickets and worms work great on panfish but fly anglers can also be successful throwing popping bugs. Crappie are also fairly abundant in the lake but fish rarely exceed 11 inches. Yellow perch rarely exceed 10 inches.
Catfish
There is a limited catfish fishery at Lake Conner even though it is stocked every other year. However, lake Conner has an excellent bullhead fishery with many 2–3 pound fish.
Biologist Reports
Regulations
Largemouth bass
- 16-22 inch protected slot*
* No fish between 16 and 22 inches may be kept - 5 per day
Sunfish
- No size limit
- 50 per day
Crappie
- No size limit
- 25 per day
Channel catfish
- 15″ minimum
- 8 per day
Chain pickerel
- No size limit
- 8 per day
Bullhead catfish
- No size limit
- no creel limit
Other
- Fishing license required for persons 16 years of age and older
- Electric motors only – gasoline motors restricted
- The follow are prohibited on this property: outboard motor use, swimming, open air fires, trotlines, alcohol, camping, littering, sailboats, jetskis, fishing tournaments involving prizes
Waterfowl hunting allow during legal seasons the months of December through February (all other hunting prohibited)
Hours of use
- 24 hours per day.
Facilities, Amenities, and Nearby Attractions
Lake Conner has a single lane concrete boat ramp and a large gravel parking lot. Additionally, there are a lot of opportunities for anglers without a boat to fish the shoreline adjacent to the boat ramp as well as the dam. Several benches are available for shoreline anglers. No porta-jon facility is available.
More Information
For more information on Lake Conner, please contact:
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
107 Foxwood Drive
Farmville, VA 23901
434-392-9645