Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) Fishing
A Virginia reservoir in Mecklenburg County, 48,900 acres.
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What a Virginia angler should know about Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
Virginia records Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) as a reservoir of 48,900 acres in Mecklenburg County. Count on around 14 miles to reach South Hill.
Without a boat, use 1 fishing pier DWR lists. Water-specific digest lines change part of the statewide table here. One dated pool reading is printed below. A two-state license rule with Kerr applies.
Acres as stated on the Virginia DWR waterbody page, read November 6, 2026. Virginia DWR Public Fishing Lakes layer (outline, motor rule, region number), read November 6, 2026. Census 2023 places.
The DWR description of Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
Buggs Island Lake is about 48,900 acres at full pool and provides excellent fisheries for a number of different species. Surveys on largemouth bass indicate high rates of reproduction and growth. Largemouth bass in the 2–4 pound range are typical, however, trophy bass greater than eight pounds are rare. The best fishing is on the upper end of the lake and the lower end creek arms. Structure is important, and water levels affect how much structure is available.
Everything in quotation here is DWR wording about Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir), not ours.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
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- Boat motors (DWR layer)Unlimited HP
- DWR region numberDWR Region 2
Where DWR leaves a field empty for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir), this list does too.
Virginia DWR Public Fishing Lakes layer (outline, motor rule, region number), read November 6, 2026.
The fish DWR records for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
At Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) this list follows DWR labels only; no survey or angler reports went into it.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
Backing down a trailer at Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
You will not find Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) on the DWR boating access list.
Piers and shoreline at Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
Fallback Commonwealth launches near Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
- Steel Bridge boat ramp on Lake GastonLake Gaston, 6 miles northeast
- Lake Gordon boat rampLake Gordon, 9 miles northeast
- Poplar Creek boat ramp on Lake GastonLake Gaston, 14 miles east
Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations layer (attributes as recorded; lanes, fees and hours are not in the layer), read November 6, 2026. Virginia DWR Fishing Piers layer (name and water only), read November 6, 2026.
The NWS pool number logged for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
This pool figure for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) is a single reading with its time stamp, not a live feed.
USACE Wilmington District pool as reported through the NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge KERV2, read November 6, 2026 (one dated reading, not live; feet as published, datum not printed).
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| John H. Kerr Reservoir At Dam Near Boydton, Va | 287.54 ft lake elevation | Nov 8 6:10 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 8, 2026 6:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
The Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) gauge posts live values that USGS may revise.
USGS instantaneous values, provisional.
Virginia keep counts for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
| Species as printed | Applies to | Creel | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, Smallmouth Bass | statewide | 5 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Alabama, Spotted Bass | statewide | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
| Landlocked Striped Bass and Landlocked Striped Bass X White Bass Hybrids | statewide | 4 per day in the aggregate | No fish less than 20 inches |
| Striped Bass | Anadromous (coastal) striped bass above the fall line in all coastal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay and Crane Lake (City of Suffolk) | Creel and length limits shall be as set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for recreational fishing in tidal waters | no length limit printed |
| Striped Bass | Striped bass in the Meherrin, Nottoway, Blackwater (Chowan Drainage), North Landing and Northwest rivers and their tributaries plus Back Bay | No possession | no length limit printed |
| Walleye, Saugeye | statewide | 5 per day in the aggregate | No walleye or saugeye less than 18 inches |
| Sauger | statewide | 2 per day | No statewide length limits |
| White Bass | statewide | 5 per day | No statewide length limits |
| Chain Pickerel and Northern Pike | statewide | 5 per day | No statewide length limits |
| Muskellunge | statewide | 1 per day | No muskellunge less than 40 inches |
| Bluegill (bream) and other sunfish excluding Crappie, Rock Bass (redeye) and Roanoke Bass | statewide | 50 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Crappie (black or white) | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Rock Bass (redeye) | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate with Roanoke bass | No statewide length limits |
| Roanoke Bass | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate with rock bass | No statewide length limits |
| Perch (yellow and white) | statewide | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
| Trout | statewide | 6 per day | 7 inch minimum size |
| Channel, White, and Flathead | statewide | 20 per day | No length limits |
| Blue | statewide | 20 per day | No statewide length limits |
Statewide digest rows rule Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) wherever its own entries are silent.
The Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) regulations tab, as printed
- Black Bass (Largemouth & Smallmouth)
- 5 per day in aggregate
- Only 2 of 5 bass less than 14 inches can be kept
- Striped Bass
- (Buggs Island Lake including Staunton River up to Leesville Dam and Dan River up to Union Street Dam)
- October 1 to May 31
- 2 per day
- No Striped Bass less than 20 inches or greater than 26 inches may be kept
- June 1 to September 30
- 4 per day
- No length limit
- Crappie
- 25 per day
- 9 inch minimum
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
Special rules for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir | Largemouth, Smallmouth Bass | Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 14 inches |
| Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Leesville Dam and the Dan River and its tributaries to the Union | Landlocked Striped Bass and Landlocked Striped Bass X White Bass Hybrids | October 1–May 31: 2 per day in the aggregate (combined) No striped bass or hybrid striped bass less than 20 inches or greater than 26 inches; June 1–September 30: 4 per day in the aggregate (combined) No length limit |
| Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Difficult Creek, Charlotte County; and the Dan River and its trib | Crappie (black or white) | No crappie less than 9 inches |
| Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Difficult Creek, Charlotte County; and the Dan River and its trib | Blue | 20 per day, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches |
Water-specific exceptions as printed, 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026.
Two-state rules for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
- Buggs Island (Kerr) and Gaston Virginia or North Carolina state fishing licenses and permits are honored on those waters lying east of Union Street Dam on the Dan River in Virginia and the mouth of Difficult Creek on the Staunton River of Kerr Reservoir to the Gaston Dam on the Roanoke River, including all tributary waters accessible by boat from the main bodies of the reservoirs, or from the Island Creek sub-impoundment. Note: North Carolina regulations apply on North Carolina portions of these waters. Virginia regulations apply in Virginia waters.
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older.
Statewide creel and length limits as printed (page updated August 17, 2026), 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026. Virginia license fees in the 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (licenses run one year from purchase unless noted), read November 6, 2026.
Record-book fish out of Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
| Species | Weight as printed | Date | Water as listed | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Catfish | 143 lbs. | 6-18-2011 | Buggs Island Lake | |
| Freshwater Drum | 29 lbs. 6 oz. | 3-26-2018 | Buggs Island Lake |
State Record Freshwater Fish as of 9-2-2025 (keeper: Virginia DWR (State Record Freshwater Fish list as of 9-2-2025); angler names left off here), read November 6, 2026.
Tournaments on Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
Event dates, launch sites and printed weights for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) sit on one page.
Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) weighed against Virginia neighbours
Lake Gaston holds the most water near Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir): 20,300 acres.
| Water | Distance | Size | DWR ramps | Trout stocking dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) | this water | 48,900 acres | 0 | 0 |
| Lake Gordon | 10 miles northeast | 157 acres | 1 | 0 |
| Lake Gaston | 16 miles east | 20,300 acres | 3 | 0 |
| Great Creek Watershed Lake | 27 miles northeast | 212 acres | 1 | 0 |
| Modest Creek Lake | 33 miles north | 29 acres | 0 | 0 |
| Nottoway Falls Lake | 34 miles north | 60 acres | 1 | 0 |
Virginia DWR waterbody pages and Public Fishing Lakes layer, NHD outline areas, DWR Boating Access Locations and stocking schedule; read November 6, 2026.
Neighbouring stops for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
Nearby lakes worth a cast after Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
- Lake Gordon10 miles northeast
- Lake Gaston16 miles east
- Great Creek Watershed Lake27 miles northeast
- Modest Creek Lake33 miles north
- Nottoway Falls Lake34 miles north
Commonwealth tackle shops serving Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
- Buggs Island Boat Comarina, Boydton, 3 miles
- Rudd's Creek Marinamarina, Boydton, 9 miles
- Twin Lakes Outfittersbait and tackle shop, South Hill, 13 miles
- Clarksville Marina Incmarina, Clarksville, 14 miles
- Poplar Creek Marinamarina, Bracey, 15 miles
- Bobcat's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Clarksville
Where anglers bunk when fishing Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
- South Hill14 miles, Mecklenburg County
- Clarksville15 miles, Mecklenburg County
- Chase City18 miles, Mecklenburg County
- Lawrenceville28 miles, Brunswick County
Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir), broken out by Virginia locality
- Mecklenburg Countycounty seat Boydton
Piscifun reels for a Virginia day on Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
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Sorting out the Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) species by sight
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Pacific Southwest Region, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Andy Sloane, CC BY-SA 2.0
Straight replies on Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) from the Virginia rule books
Which county or city should I drive to for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)?
Head to Mecklenburg County, about 14 miles from South Hill.
What surface figure do DWR or NHD give Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)?
Virginia sources give 48,900 acres.
Can a skiff on a trailer reach Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) from a public ramp?
Nothing on it is mapped; Steel Bridge boat ramp on Lake Gaston is 6 miles away.
Does DWR list largemouth or smallmouth for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)?
Start with blue catfish, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass and white perch; DWR names them.
What bass creel does the digest set for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)?
The statewide digest row for largemouth and smallmouth bass reads: 5 per day in the aggregate (combined); No statewide length limits. Read the exception rows above as well.
Which Virginia license does Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) call for?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older. Virginians under 16 fish without paying.
Where do Virginia bank casters set up on Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)?
DWR maps one fishing pier there: North Bend Park on Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir).
What store sells bait near Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)?
Buggs Island Boat Co (about 3 miles away) is first on our list.
What was the last pool reading at Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)?
The last pool reading we collected was 287.65 feet at 2026-11-06 20:10:00 UTC, via the NWS gauge page; it is not live.
Has Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) produced a Virginia state record?
Blue Catfish, 143 lbs., 2011, is on the DWR record list for this water (angler names are left out here).
Do I need two licenses for Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)?
Buggs Island (Kerr) and Gaston Virginia or North Carolina state fishing licenses and permits are honored on those waters lying east of Union Street Dam on the Dan River in Virginia and the mouth of Difficult Creek on the Staunton River of Kerr Reservoir to the Gaston Dam on the Roanoke River, including all tributary waters accessible by boat from the main bodies of the reservoirs, or from …
Make a dawn run to Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)
Virginia fees and limits sit on one page.