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Hooking Up Anglers Since 2011.
Buggs Island Lake, also known as John H. Kerr Reservoir, is Virginia's largest lake with over 800 miles of shoreline and 50,000 acres of freshwater. The dam was built from 1947 through 1952 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers a few hundred feet upstream from an island belonging to the descendants of Samuel Bugg, and was known as the Bugg Island Project. Some of the best freshwater fishing in Virginia can be found on this lake.
The world record Blue Catfish was caught Saturday night June 18th, 2011 weighing 143 pounds. Like so many lakes in the region, Buggs Island is also known for Bass. The Bass population has a lot of success breeding in Buggs Island, which means anglers can commonly reel in specimens that are between 2 and 4 pounds. The best spots for Bass fishing are at the upper end of the lake. However, populations can also be quite abundant near the creek outlets.
There is also a growing population of Striped Bass. This species is not as prolific as its Largemouth relatives, but it is still a common catch. In the summer, when the fish are spawning, the populations tend to move to the north. However, in the cooler months, the fish may be spread out more to the south end of the lake.
Buggs Island fishing is also popular for Crappie. The Crappie population is best during the winter and early spring. However, you are likely to hook Crappie all throughout the year thanks to the strong local breeding. If you give Buggs Island fishing a go, you might also catch fish like White Bass, White Perch, Channel Catfish and Blue Catfish.
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Based on historical data for fishing {{ locationText }}, you should target one of the following species for this time of year:
*** PLEASE NOTE ***
Please check local, state/province, and federal laws before fishing for any species found on this site. All data is based on historical data found for this area, and in some cases as far back as the year 1600.
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Fishing Report – September 10 2025 Water Level: 298.37 | Water Temperature: 75.2˚ Weather: 61˚ | Mostly Cloudy | Winds: 7 mph 1. Largemouth Bass: Bass are actively feeding near submerged wood cover and points i
Fishing Report – September 3 2025 Water Level: 299.09 | Water Temperature: 75˚ Weather: 52˚ | Patchy Fog | Winds: 1 mph 1. Largemouth Bass: Bass are holding around main lake points and midlake creek mouths in
Fishing Report – August 27 2025 Water Level: 299.52 | Water Temperature: 75.7˚ Weather: 55˚ | Mostly Clear | Winds: 2 mph 1. Largemouth Bass: Bass are schooling around submerged points and old road beds in 4
Fishing Report – August 20 2025 Water Level: 299.96 | Water Temperature: 74.7˚ Weather: 69˚ | Patchy Fog | Winds: 1 mph 1. Largemouth Bass: Bass are scattered but starting to school around submerged points a
Fishing Report – August 13 2025 Water Level: 300.98 | Water Temperature: 73.8˚ Weather: 72˚ | Chance Rain Showers | Winds: 3 mph 1. Striped Bass: Fish are gathering near the dam area and around Buoys 2 to 4.
Fishing Report – August 6 2025 Water Level: 300.15 | Water Temperature: 72.9˚ Weather: 66˚ | Rain Showers | Winds: 3 mph 1. Striped Bass: Best fishing near the dam and around Buoy 2 to 4 with trolling Corde
Fishing Report – July 30 2025 Water Level: 300.82 | Water Temperature: 74.1˚ Weather: 73˚ | Patchy Fog | Winds: 0 mph 1. Striped Bass: Vertical jigging with Hopkins spoons and trolling Cordell Redfins rema
Fishing Report – July 23 2025 Water Level: 303.1 | Water Temperature: 72.9˚ Weather: 65˚ | Clear | Winds: 3 mph 1. Largemouth Bass: Active in early morning and late evening near main lake points and creek
Fishing Report – July 9 2025 Water Level: 302.73 | Water Temperature: 66˚ Weather: 73˚ | Chance Showers And Thunderstorms | Winds: 2 mph 1. Largemouth Bass: Focus on main lake points and creek channel edg
Fishing Report – July 9 2025 Water Level: 302.73 | Water Temperature: 66˚ Weather: 73˚ | Chance Showers And Thunderstorms | Winds: 2 mph 1. Largemouth Bass: Bass are holding on main lake and secondary poi
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