Nottoway Lake Resource Page

Information gathered from Virginia Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries

Contents

Lake Regulations

Outboard motor use restricted to 10 HP or less.

The following are prohibited on this property: swimming, open air fires, trapping, trotlines, littering, sailboats, camping.

Hours of use: 24 hours per day.

Largemouth bass – no fish between 12-15 inches, 5 per day
Sunfish – no size limit, 50 per day
Crappie – no size limit, 25 per day

Largemouth Bass

The current fishery supports a healthy population of largemouth bass due in part to a 12 ? 15 inch protected slot limit in effect since 1990. The slot limit was imposed to allow harvest of ample numbers of largemouth less than 12 inches and still provide an opportunity to catch quality fish. Good numbers of largemouth bass in the one to three pound range are abundant with a few bass in the seven to ten pound range caught occasionally. Growth rates for largemouth are very good compared to the state average with most fish reaching catchable size at age 3 and growing out of the slot limit just after age 6. The spring spawn is the best time of year to catch a trophy-sized fish. Spinnerbaits, plastic worms and crankbaits are best suited for bass from April until early June. During the summer months and on into the fall, jigs work best when working deep water where fish congregate these times of the year.

Sunfish

Bluegill and redear sunfish offer anglers in the spring a fantastic bank fishing opportunity. Spawning fish congregate in the spring on the shoreline along the dam where they are easily accessible. There are abundant numbers of both species weighing up to ? pound and the number of larger fish has been increasing over the last several years. This trend is expected to continue. Overhanging trees and submerged structure offer the best cover around which to find either of the sunfish species. Live bait, jigs and small crankbaits are the best lures for catching in the spring and summer months.

Crappie & Catfish

Black crappie and channel catfish provide fishermen with a good change of pace when fishing. Numbers of crappie in the lake are low, however the average size of those fish is excellent. Small minnow plugs and live minnows are the best bet for catching these tasty fish. The catfish fishery is sustained by stocking fish every year. Natural reproduction is not successful enough to maintain good numbers of fish so the department releases about 15 fish per acre each year.

Links

Blackstone Chamber of Commerce