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.
January 28, 2010: Rusty at Buggs Island Bait and Tackle (434-374-8934)
provided the following fishing report.
The lake is full of cold, muddy water. Not much going on at the moment - very few
anglers on the water. The crappie fishing often picks up in late February, but it will
take a sustained warm-up to get the crappie moving. Check back in a week or
two for another update.
Eddie Griggs of Virginia Elite Outdoors Guide Service provided the following Bass
Fishing Report on August 9, 2009. Visit Eddie at www.vaeliteoutdoors.com.
Fishing has slowed here at Buggs. Lake levels are still dropping and the fish are
out on the main lake and main creek structures. Topwater is little inconsistent...
one day they will crush spooks and buzzbaits and the next day, not even a sniff.
The off-shore bite is really good when the core is pulling water and fish can be
caught on several different baits.... Boohya PigSkin Football Jig, Texas Rigged
YUM Worms in Green Pumpkin, and Deep Diving Cranks like the Bomber Fat
Free Shad and DD22. When the core doesn't pull the water, you have to finesse
them a little more where 1/8 oz. shakey heads with a Yum Houdini worm, or a ¼
oz Football Jig with a Yum Dinger will get'em. Most of the fish are in depths
between 18 - 25 feet.
LakeLevel: just above 297ish
Water clarity: slightly stained upper lake, very clear down lake
Water temps: mid-upper 80's
provided the following fishing report.
The lake is full of cold, muddy water. Not much going on at the moment - very few
anglers on the water. The crappie fishing often picks up in late February, but it will
take a sustained warm-up to get the crappie moving. Check back in a week or
two for another update.
Eddie Griggs of Virginia Elite Outdoors Guide Service provided the following Bass
Fishing Report on August 9, 2009. Visit Eddie at www.vaeliteoutdoors.com.
Fishing has slowed here at Buggs. Lake levels are still dropping and the fish are
out on the main lake and main creek structures. Topwater is little inconsistent...
one day they will crush spooks and buzzbaits and the next day, not even a sniff.
The off-shore bite is really good when the core is pulling water and fish can be
caught on several different baits.... Boohya PigSkin Football Jig, Texas Rigged
YUM Worms in Green Pumpkin, and Deep Diving Cranks like the Bomber Fat
Free Shad and DD22. When the core doesn't pull the water, you have to finesse
them a little more where 1/8 oz. shakey heads with a Yum Houdini worm, or a ¼
oz Football Jig with a Yum Dinger will get'em. Most of the fish are in depths
between 18 - 25 feet.
LakeLevel: just above 297ish
Water clarity: slightly stained upper lake, very clear down lake
Water temps: mid-upper 80's
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
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
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 © 2009 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 |
