Nottoway Lake is a scenic 188-acre impoundment located in Nottoway County, Virginia. With exceptional cover and a wooded shoreline, this lake offers a great opportunity for anglers to catch several warmwater species of fish in a rural setting. The lake was impounded in 1978 and opened to fishing just two years later. Most of the standing timber was left at that time as fish cover in the lake.
The lake offers warmwater fisheries for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Black Crappie, and Channel Catfish.
The lake is owned and managed by the Va. Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. To reach this wonderful fishing experience, take Route 606 north off of Route 460 near the town of Blackstone, Virginia. Follow the signs for the public fishing lake to Nottoway Lake.
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
Nottoway Lake is located six miles north of Blackstone. From U.S. Rt. 460 west, exit right onto Rt. 606 and go about 5.1 miles to the lake entrance. The lake can also be reached from U.S. Rt. 360 west. Fromt 360 west, go south on Rt. 153 to Spainville, then right on Rt. 610, left on Rt. 609 and right on Rt. 606 to the lake. Stores that sell bait and some fishing tackle are located on U.S. 360 and 460. Map
Fishing
Largemouth Bass
Nottoway Lake provides a good largemouth bass fishery characterized by above average catch rates with good numbers of fish in the 10-14 inch range. The lake also boasts trophy potential with low numbers of fish up to and over 20 inches encountered with moderate frequency. The spring spawn (April-May) is the best time of year to catch a trophy-sized fish. Spinnerbaits, soft plastics. And shallow diving crankbaits worked around shallow cover can be productive in the spring. During the summer and early fall fishing deeper water around standing timber and creek channels with soft plastics, deep diving crankbaits, and swimbaits can be productive.
Sunfish
Bluegill and redear sunfish offer a fantastic bank fishing opportunity. Spawning redear congregate in the spring on the shoreline along the dam where they are easily accessible. Quality fish up to 8 inches of both species can be found in the lake. Overhanging trees and submerged structure offer the best cover around which to find either of the sunfish species. The lakes shallow sandy points are favored areas for spawning beds in the spring and throughout the summer. Live bait produces best but small jigs and crankbaits can also provide action.
Crappie
Numbers of crappie in the lake are low, however the average size of those fish is good. Live minnows are the best bet for Crappie but jigs and small crankbaits can be seasonally productive. Crappie can be found around points and shoreline vegetation around the spawn (late March-early May) but favor structure like offshore standing timber and beaver lodges near deep water during the summer months.
Channel Catfish
The channel catfish population is maintained by annual stockings with fair numbers of harvestable size fish (>15 inches) present.
Biologist Reports
Regulations
Largemouth Bass
- 5 per day, only one over 18 inches
- 14 – 18 inch slot limit (all fish 14 to 18 inches must be release unharmed)
Sunfish
- 50 per day in aggregate
- No length limits
Crappie
- 25 per day
- No length limits
Channel Catfish
- 8 per day
- 15 inches minimum
General
- Outboard motor use restricted to 10 hp or less
- Prohibited activities: swimming, open air fires, trotlines, littering, sailboats, alcohol, trapping, camping, and fishing tournaments involving prizes
- Nottoway Lake is open to fishing 24 hours a day
Facilities, Amenities, and Nearby Attractions
A large parking lot provides ample parking for all anglers. Bank is available on the fishing pier, face of the dam, and two fishing trails located on either end of the parking area. The boat ramp is open all year round and night fishing is welcomed at the lake.
More Information
For more information on Nottoway Lake, please contact:
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
107 Foxwood Drive
Farmville, VA 23901
(434) 392-9645