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.
July 14 2010: Bob Cat's Lake Country Store, (434) 374-8381. Taken from Bob's
website and the VDGIF Outdoorr Report.
Striper: Size and numbers are starting to pick up as fish are moving back into the
lake. Fishermen are finding fish in the Goat Island area and up to Eastland Creek.
They are trolling bucktails, deep diving red fins and Capt. Mack's umbrella rigs
with downriggers. Heavy jigging spoons in the 2 ¼ to 4 oz. range on main lake
points in the Nutbush area will soon pick up.
Catfish: Fishing for cats remains good with blues in the 20 to 40 lb. range being
caught and flatheads in the 30 to 40 lb. range. Fish can be found from the mouths
of rivers to Goats Island. Fishermen are anchoring on main channel breaks
fishing with shad, bream, and jumbo shiners. Noodling has also picked up in
major creeks.
Crappie: Fish have moved to their summer hideouts. Deep brushpiles around
main lake points in the 15 to 30 ft. range. Fishermen are reporting catching fish up
to 1 ½ lb. Most are casting jigs like Bobby Garland, Kalins and Southern Pro and
are also using the slip cork method.
Bass: Fish are being found in all depths. Fishermen are reporting finding
topwater fish early using Zara Spooks & Splash-It's. They are catching them
around bridge poles with crankbaits, flick shake rig and shakey heads. Deeper
fish can be found in the 15 to 25 ft. range using big worms 10 to 12 inches,
Carolina rigs, football jigs and deep crankbaits like Bill Norman DD-22, Spro DD
Little Johns and Rapala DT's.
Eddie Griggs of Virginia Elite Outdoors Guide Service provided the following Bass
Fishing Report on May 25, 2010. Visit Eddie at www.vaeliteoutdoors.com.
You can catch them with several different baits and techniques. The water levels
are fluctuating with the rains and you need to adjust to the changes. 90% of the
spawning is done here...... some are still guarding fry in the shallows and can be
caught with topwater or plastics. Other have already made it out to their summer
haunts, where carolina rigged plastics, football jigs, and big worms will catch
them anywhere from 10 - 14ft.
website and the VDGIF Outdoorr Report.
Striper: Size and numbers are starting to pick up as fish are moving back into the
lake. Fishermen are finding fish in the Goat Island area and up to Eastland Creek.
They are trolling bucktails, deep diving red fins and Capt. Mack's umbrella rigs
with downriggers. Heavy jigging spoons in the 2 ¼ to 4 oz. range on main lake
points in the Nutbush area will soon pick up.
Catfish: Fishing for cats remains good with blues in the 20 to 40 lb. range being
caught and flatheads in the 30 to 40 lb. range. Fish can be found from the mouths
of rivers to Goats Island. Fishermen are anchoring on main channel breaks
fishing with shad, bream, and jumbo shiners. Noodling has also picked up in
major creeks.
Crappie: Fish have moved to their summer hideouts. Deep brushpiles around
main lake points in the 15 to 30 ft. range. Fishermen are reporting catching fish up
to 1 ½ lb. Most are casting jigs like Bobby Garland, Kalins and Southern Pro and
are also using the slip cork method.
Bass: Fish are being found in all depths. Fishermen are reporting finding
topwater fish early using Zara Spooks & Splash-It's. They are catching them
around bridge poles with crankbaits, flick shake rig and shakey heads. Deeper
fish can be found in the 15 to 25 ft. range using big worms 10 to 12 inches,
Carolina rigs, football jigs and deep crankbaits like Bill Norman DD-22, Spro DD
Little Johns and Rapala DT's.
Eddie Griggs of Virginia Elite Outdoors Guide Service provided the following Bass
Fishing Report on May 25, 2010. Visit Eddie at www.vaeliteoutdoors.com.
You can catch them with several different baits and techniques. The water levels
are fluctuating with the rains and you need to adjust to the changes. 90% of the
spawning is done here...... some are still guarding fry in the shallows and can be
caught with topwater or plastics. Other have already made it out to their summer
haunts, where carolina rigged plastics, football jigs, and big worms will catch
them anywhere from 10 - 14ft.
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 |
| April 20, 2010: Lonesome 3 Hunt Club in Brunswick County currently has openings! For more information, email Brad at Snakeloverbuck@yahoo.com |