Lake Witten is a 52-acre lake located in Tazewell County. Constructed by the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service, the lake is owned by Tazewell County. Lake Witten supports populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, redbreast sunfish, bluegills, crappie, and channel catfish. Lake Witten is also included in the state’s put-and-take trout stocking program.
Access to the lake is via Route 16 north out of Tazewell to Route 643, then to the lake.
Maps & Directions
Access Site:Map
Fishing
Bass
best bet
Catfish
best bet
Trout
best bet
Panfish
best bet
The largemouth bass population is excellent in Lake Witten. Abundance estimates, based on sampling, are well above average for small impoundments in Southwest Virginia. The size structure of the bass population is also very good, with about 20 percent of the adult bass collected exceeding 15 inches in length. The lake has trophy bass potential as well; bass over 20 inches in length have been collected during recent samples.
Bluegills are the dominant sunfish species at Lake Witten. Anglers should encounter good numbers of these popular sport fish. Some nice bluegills over eight inches in length have been collected, although most of the fish are somewhat smaller. Black crappie provide some angling diversity, but are not very abundant.
A few walleyes have been collected during recent samples. Walleyes were stocked into Lake Witten from 1995 through 1997. These fish could provide some limited angling opportunities for several years.
Many anglers fish Lake Witten for stocked trout. Catchable-sized brown and rainbow trout are stocked periodically from October through May.
Channel catfish are stocked each year. New stocking protocols could improve the catfish fishing opportunities considerably over the next few years.
Biologist Reports
Regulations
Bass
- 14 to 24-inch protective slot limit
- 1 fish/day
All bass between 14 and 24 inches must be released unharmed
- Gasoline motor use is prohibited
Because the lake is part of the put-and-take trout program, a trout license is required to fish the lake from October 1 through June 15. Also, fishing hours are from 5:00 am until one hour after sunset during the trout stocking period.
Facilities, Amenities, and Nearby Attractions
Nearby Attractions
Facilities
- Fee ✘
- Parking ✔
- Handicap-Accessible ✔
- Food Concession ✘
- Picnic Tables ✔
- Grills ✔
- Restrooms ✔
Amenities
- Hiking Trails ✔
- Bike Trails ✘
- Viewing Blinds ✘
- Observation Platforms ✘
- Fishing Pier/Platform ✘
- Boat Ramps ✔
- Motorboat Access ✘
- Horsepower Limit ✘
- Electric Motor Only ✔
- Paddle Access ✔
- Camping ✔
- Primitive Camping Only ✘
A ramp is available for launching boats. Other recreational facilities are available at Cavitt’s Creek Park; contact the park manager at (276) 988-7250 for details.
More Information
For more information about the lake’s fisheries contact the Marion VDGIF office.
For more information about Cavitt’s Creek Park contact the Park Manager at (276) 988-7250.