Driving Map to Buggs Island - Click to Enlarge
Buggs Island Lake Overview
Buggs Island Lake (a.k.a. Kerr Lake) is a 48,900 acre reservoir that straddles the
Virginia/North Carolina border. The states have a reciprocal license agreement,
so either a VA or NC license is valid throughout the entire lake. Buggs Island is
home to one of the premier largemouth bass fisheries in the country, and a superb
crappie fishery. Striped bass, white perch, white bass, channel catfish, and
increasingly flathead catfish are available. It is one of the few lakes in the country
where landlocked striped bass successfully spawn. Lake levels fluctuate and can
have a dramatic effect on the fishing. Although pleasure boat traffic is noticeable
on warm weekends, anglers should not have any trouble find a quiet spot to fish. A
good lake map is essential as it is easy to get disoriented on this sprawling lake.
Virginia/North Carolina border. The states have a reciprocal license agreement,
so either a VA or NC license is valid throughout the entire lake. Buggs Island is
home to one of the premier largemouth bass fisheries in the country, and a superb
crappie fishery. Striped bass, white perch, white bass, channel catfish, and
increasingly flathead catfish are available. It is one of the few lakes in the country
where landlocked striped bass successfully spawn. Lake levels fluctuate and can
have a dramatic effect on the fishing. Although pleasure boat traffic is noticeable
on warm weekends, anglers should not have any trouble find a quiet spot to fish. A
good lake map is essential as it is easy to get disoriented on this sprawling lake.
April 20, 2008: Rusty at Buggs Island Bait and Tackle (434-374-8934) provided
the following fishing report.
Overall, fishing is good, the water level is almost three feet high (around 304' -
305'). Water temperature is 62 - 63 degrees.
The high water has flooded the bushes and that's where to start for crappie or
bass. Trolling for crappie has slowed significantly. Working jigs and small
minnows in the bushes is your best bet. Move quickly until you locate a
concentration of fish, which cold happen in any of the creeks. For the largemouth,
flip soft plastics (brush hogs and sweet beavers) in the bushes. Some fish are
on the beds already. Most of the largemouth are moving shallow.
The stripers are a bit of a mystery. Normally this time year, trollers are catching
the fish near Clarksville as they are migrating up towards the rivers. This year the
fish just seem to be scattered. Some downlake, some in creeks. No real pattern
and, therefore, very few fish being caught.
The catfishing is good. Blue catfish can be caught all over the lake while the
flatheads are mainly from Bluestone Creek up to the forks of the rivers.
the following fishing report.
Overall, fishing is good, the water level is almost three feet high (around 304' -
305'). Water temperature is 62 - 63 degrees.
The high water has flooded the bushes and that's where to start for crappie or
bass. Trolling for crappie has slowed significantly. Working jigs and small
minnows in the bushes is your best bet. Move quickly until you locate a
concentration of fish, which cold happen in any of the creeks. For the largemouth,
flip soft plastics (brush hogs and sweet beavers) in the bushes. Some fish are
on the beds already. Most of the largemouth are moving shallow.
The stripers are a bit of a mystery. Normally this time year, trollers are catching
the fish near Clarksville as they are migrating up towards the rivers. This year the
fish just seem to be scattered. Some downlake, some in creeks. No real pattern
and, therefore, very few fish being caught.
The catfishing is good. Blue catfish can be caught all over the lake while the
flatheads are mainly from Bluestone Creek up to the forks of the rivers.
Virginia Outdoors - A Resource for Virginia Anglers and Hunters
Virginia Outdoors - Buggs Island / Kerr Lake
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Fishing Buggs Island Lake
Buggs Island Fishing Guides - Kerr Lake Fishing Guides
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth bass in the 2-4 lb range are common; however,
trophy fish over 8 lbs are rare. In the spring, water levels typically rise and flood
shoreline willow and sweet gum trees. During these times, focus on the flooded
brush in the backs of coves - especially in the uplake region. A variety of soft
plastics and topwater lures can work. Creature baits and senko-type baits are
good choices. Make long casts to avoid spooking fish. In the summer and winter,
work the creek channels in tributaries such as Butcher, Grassy, Nutbush, and
Eastland creeks. Carolina rigged plastics and 1/2 - 3/4 ounce jigs should do the
trick.
Striped Bass: The striped bass fishing, although not comparable to Smith
Mountain Lake, can be quite good. Although the fish reproduce successfully, the
VDGIF has started stocking 350,000 fish annually. In the spring, the stripers head
to the upper end of the lake and the river above the lake to spawn. Warm summer
waters force the striped bass to the lower end of the lake - typically between Buoy 9
and the dam and also near the mouth of Nutbush creek. Fall and winter fishing is
normally best between Goat Island and the Clarksville bridge. Live bait, especially
4" - 6" gizzard and threadfin shad caught with a cast net work well. Slow trolling live
bait or white/chartruese bucktails tipped with a white shad body or grub over points
can produce. Other options include trolling silver buddys or deep-diving (20'+)
crankbaits.
Crappie: The crappie fishing at Buggs Island is second-to-none in the
Commonwealth in terms of both quality and quantity. Small minnows, small jigs
(can be tipped with minnows), and tubes can all produce. Slow-trolling creek
channels is a good way to locate fish, and then anchor and load the boat once the
fish are located.
trophy fish over 8 lbs are rare. In the spring, water levels typically rise and flood
shoreline willow and sweet gum trees. During these times, focus on the flooded
brush in the backs of coves - especially in the uplake region. A variety of soft
plastics and topwater lures can work. Creature baits and senko-type baits are
good choices. Make long casts to avoid spooking fish. In the summer and winter,
work the creek channels in tributaries such as Butcher, Grassy, Nutbush, and
Eastland creeks. Carolina rigged plastics and 1/2 - 3/4 ounce jigs should do the
trick.
Striped Bass: The striped bass fishing, although not comparable to Smith
Mountain Lake, can be quite good. Although the fish reproduce successfully, the
VDGIF has started stocking 350,000 fish annually. In the spring, the stripers head
to the upper end of the lake and the river above the lake to spawn. Warm summer
waters force the striped bass to the lower end of the lake - typically between Buoy 9
and the dam and also near the mouth of Nutbush creek. Fall and winter fishing is
normally best between Goat Island and the Clarksville bridge. Live bait, especially
4" - 6" gizzard and threadfin shad caught with a cast net work well. Slow trolling live
bait or white/chartruese bucktails tipped with a white shad body or grub over points
can produce. Other options include trolling silver buddys or deep-diving (20'+)
crankbaits.
Crappie: The crappie fishing at Buggs Island is second-to-none in the
Commonwealth in terms of both quality and quantity. Small minnows, small jigs
(can be tipped with minnows), and tubes can all produce. Slow-trolling creek
channels is a good way to locate fish, and then anchor and load the boat once the
fish are located.
Buggs Island Fishing Report - Kerr Lake Fishing Report
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| Copyright © 2007 Virginia Outdoors, LLC Ruckersville, VA |
Other Useful Info and Links
Camping and Lodging:
North Bend Park Campground: (434) 738-6143
Best Western on the Lake: (434) 374-5023
Lake Motel and Efficiencies: (434) 374-8106
Marinas:
Clarksville Marina: (434) 374-8501
Public boat ramps are available at:
Occoneechee State Park, Hwy 58: (434) 374-2210
Bluestone Landing, Hwy 15
Rudds Creek Recreation Area, Hwy 58: (434) 738-6827
Longwood Recreation Area, Hwy 15: (434) 374-2711
North Bend Park Campground: (434) 738-6143
Best Western on the Lake: (434) 374-5023
Lake Motel and Efficiencies: (434) 374-8106
Marinas:
Clarksville Marina: (434) 374-8501
Public boat ramps are available at:
Occoneechee State Park, Hwy 58: (434) 374-2210
Bluestone Landing, Hwy 15
Rudds Creek Recreation Area, Hwy 58: (434) 738-6827
Longwood Recreation Area, Hwy 15: (434) 374-2711
| Featured Article: Where to Catch Virginia's Trophy Largemouth Bass |
