Mecklenburg County, VA · Reservoir
Kerr Lake (Buggs Island)
Virginia's largest lake, a 50,000-acre Roanoke River reservoir on the North Carolina line — largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, and trophy catfish.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Striped Bass — Great day to fish for Striped Bass.
Best conditions of 5 species tracked at Kerr Lake (Buggs Island).
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Kerr Lake (Buggs Island)
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Striped Bass Great day to fish for Striped Bass. In season 78/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
Last verified 12 days ago on 2026-08-28. Open source page →
- Min size
- 20"
- Daily creel
- 4
Virginia landlocked striped bass (and hybrids): statewide default 4/day in aggregate, 20" minimum, year-round. Several reservoirs run their own seasonal slots — see the per-lake note. Lake Anna uses the statewide default.
Source: Virginia non-tidal (VDWR) regulations · verified 2026-08-28.
#2 Largemouth Bass Workable day for Largemouth Bass. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
Last verified 140 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 5
Non-tidal VA: 5 per day in aggregate with smallmouth bass (can't combine to exceed 5 total). No statewide minimum size. Numerous water-specific exceptions: James River (Jackson/Cowpasture to Richmond fall line) has a 14–22 inch protected slot with only 1 fish/day over 22 in; New River (Fields Dam to VA-WV line) has the same slot; Shenandoah River (all forks) has an 11–14 inch protected slot; Lake Moomaw requires 12-inch minimum; Briery Creek has no 16-inch fish allowed. Check water-specific rules before keeping any fish.
Source: Virginia non-tidal (VDWR) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#2 Crappie Workable day for Crappie. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Last verified 140 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 25
Non-tidal VA: 25 per day in aggregate (black + white crappie). No statewide minimum size. Several reservoirs impose a 9- or 10-inch minimum — Buggs Island (Kerr), Lake Gaston (which has no daily limit instead), Lake Anna, etc. More generous than MD (15/day) and narrower than DE (50/day aggregate panfish).
Source: Virginia non-tidal (VDWR) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#2 Channel Catfish Workable day for Channel Catfish. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
Last verified 140 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 20
Non-tidal VA: 20 per day statewide, no minimum size. No daily limit in rivers below the fall line. Distinctly more generous than MD (5/day). Primary fisheries: James, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Roanoke.
Source: Virginia non-tidal (VDWR) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#2 Blue Catfish Workable day for Blue Catfish. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 9 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Ictalurus furcatus — Invasive apex predator, now abundant throughout the tidal Potomac, Patuxent, and Nanticoke. MDDNR actively encourages harvest. Caught on cut bait (bunker, white perch, gizzard shad) fished on bottom. 50+ lb fish are routine on the Potomac.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 10–60 ft.
Last verified 12 days ago on 2026-08-28. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 20
Virginia inland (above the fall line): 20/day, no length limit, year-round. Invasive — harvest encouraged.
Source: Virginia non-tidal (VDWR) regulations · verified 2026-08-28.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Virginia non-tidal (VDWR)
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Kerr Lake (Buggs Island): Virginia DWR fishing & regulations → · trout stocking schedule → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Kerr Lake (Buggs Island)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Kerr Lake (Buggs Island) you need a Virginia freshwater fishing license issued by DWR (and a separate trout license for designated stocked trout waters October 1 through June 15). See the agency's current rules: https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/regulations/licenses/
What fish are commonly targeted at Kerr Lake (Buggs Island)?
Kerr Lake (Buggs Island) is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Kerr Lake (Buggs Island)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Kerr Lake (Buggs Island) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Kerr Lake (Buggs Island) have?
Kerr Lake (Buggs Island) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Kerr Lake (Buggs Island)?
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) freshwater regulations apply at Kerr Lake (Buggs Island). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Kerr Lake (Buggs Island) tidal water?
No. Kerr Lake (Buggs Island) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.