Spotsylvania County, VA · Reservoir
Lake Anna State Park
13,000-acre reservoir on the North Anna River, divided into a ~9,000-acre public ("cold") side and a ~4,000-acre private ("warm") side that receives warm-water discharge from the North Anna Nuclear Generating Station. Lake Anna State Park sits on the public side and provides boat ramps and a fishing pier. Popular bass, landlocked striper, walleye, and channel catfish fishery.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Striped Bass — Check local Striped Bass regulations before you keep one.
Best conditions of 6 species tracked at Lake Anna State Park.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Lake Anna State Park
6 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 Check local Striped Bass regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 37/100
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Striped Bass in VA on file yet. The live conditions score still applies — but confirm the current regulations with your state agency before keeping any fish.
What's helping
- incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
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.
No regulations on file for Virginia non-tidal (VDWR) / non-tidal. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.
#2 Walleye Marginal conditions for Walleye. In season 35/100
What's helping
- Dark moon — walleye feeds aggressively in low light
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Min size
- 18"
- Daily creel
- 5
Non-tidal VA: 18-inch minimum (higher than MD's 15-inch), 5 per day in aggregate with saugeye. Special regulations on the flagship waters: Claytor Lake and the New River (upstream to Fries Dam) are limited to 2 per day, and no harvest of fish 19–28 inches (protected slot). Primary fisheries: New River, Claytor Lake, Smith Mountain Lake, South Holston.
Source: Virginia non-tidal (VDWR) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
#3 Largemouth Bass Skip the Largemouth Bass trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
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 51 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.
#3 Crappie Skip the Crappie trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
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 51 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.
#3 Channel Catfish Skip the Channel Catfish trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
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 51 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.
#3 Chain Pickerel Skip the Chain Pickerel trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 6 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Esox niger — Native toothy predator of mill ponds, blackwater rivers, and grassy shorelines — especially common on the Eastern Shore. Hits spinners, spoons, and minnow plugs aggressively. Cold-weather fishery when bass have shut down.
Prefers. Water 45–80°F (ideal 60°F) · either tide · depth 3–15 ft.
Last verified 51 days ago on 2026-04-22. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 5
Non-tidal VA: 5 per day, no statewide minimum size. Lake Gaston and Buggs Island (Kerr Reservoir) have no daily limit. Less restrictive on size than MD (which requires 14-inch minimum).
Source: Virginia non-tidal (VDWR) regulations · verified 2026-04-22.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Virginia non-tidal (VDWR)
Coordinates
Notes
Day-use fee at the state park. Public access is on the "cold" side; the warmer "private" side is restricted to riparian property owners. Fish populations and water-temperature patterns differ across the two sides.
Local reports & rules for Lake Anna State Park: Virginia DWR fishing & regulations → · trout stocking schedule → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Lake Anna State Park?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Lake Anna State Park 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 Lake Anna State Park?
Lake Anna State Park is listed on this site for 6 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Crappie, Channel Catfish, and 2 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 Lake Anna State Park?
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 Lake Anna State Park 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 Lake Anna State Park have?
Lake Anna State Park has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Day-use fee at the state park. Public access is on the "cold" side; the warmer "private" side is restricted to riparian property owners. Fish populations and water-temperature patterns differ across the two sides.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Lake Anna State Park?
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) freshwater regulations apply at Lake Anna State Park. 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 Lake Anna State Park tidal water?
No. Lake Anna State Park is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.
Is there parking or an entry fee at Lake Anna State Park?
Day-use fee at the state park. Public access is on the "cold" side; the warmer "private" side is restricted to riparian property owners. Fish populations and water-temperature patterns differ across the two sides.