Lake Curtis is a 91-acre, Department-owned lake in Stafford County. The lake has an abundance of standing timber, providing fish with “structure.” It is on the boundary of Curtis Memorial Park, a facility that has tennis courts, a swimming pool, a golf course, grills, and picnic tables. Several new fishing pier “bulkheads” were recently added adjacent to the Department’s parking lot.

The lake has excellent largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish populations. Curtis consistently produces large bass, with fish as large as 13 pounds coming from the lake. Fisheries surveys by biologists indicate large fish are present, but the abundance of standing timber gives them plenty of places to hide. Curtis offers the finest bluegill fishery in the district. With ample shoreline access, it’s an ideal place to practice fly-fishing or take a youngster out for the day. The lake is fertilized each summer to increase productivity.

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.