Burke Lake Fishing
A lake in Fairfax County, 218 acres.
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo: Blake Patterson, CC BY 2.0
The essentials of Burke Lake
In Fairfax County, the lake known as Burke Lake covers 218 acres. The closest Census place is South Run, about 2 miles away.
DWR boating access data shows 1 boat ramp on it. The pier layer adds 1 fishing pier.
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.
How DWR describes Burke Lake
Burke Lake is a 218-acre Department-owned public fishing lake in Fairfax County. The lake serves as the main attraction to Burke Lake Park, a 650-acre park operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority. Burke Lake offers excellent fishing and features largemouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, channel catfish, bluegill and black crappie. Anglers may also catch white perch, yellow perch, redear sunfish and an occasional blue catfish.
Getting to Burke Lake
Burke Lake can be reached by taking I-95 to Woodbridge. Take Route 123 (Ox Road) north to the lake. The DWR boat ramp access road will be on the right. Department signs are posted as to where you need to turn. Burke Lake Park is located off of Route 123, a short distance from the DWR access road and just before Burke Lake Road.
These are DWR sentences on Burke Lake, cut to whole sentences.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Motor rule and facilities at Burke Lake
- Boat motors (DWR layer)Electric Motors Only
- Facilities DWR marksparking, accessible facilities, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, hiking trails, bike trails, fishing pier or platform, boat ramps, electric motors only, paddle access, camping
- DWR region numberDWR Region 4
Only the fields DWR fills in for Burke Lake appear here.
Virginia DWR Public Fishing Lakes layer (outline, motor rule, region number), read November 6, 2026. Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
Species DWR lists for Burke Lake
The DWR fishing outlook grid for Burke Lake
| Species group | DWR rating |
|---|---|
| Bass | best bet |
| Catfish | present |
| Panfish | present |
For Burke Lake, species come from DWR pages and trout records rather than from catches.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
DWR-mapped launches on Burke Lake
| Site | Recorded attributes | Owner | Location (DWR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Burke boat ramp | concrete ramp (no dock), 1 ramp, barrier-free, freshwater | DWR | From City of Fairfax, Rt 123 South |
Walk-in fishing on Burke Lake
- Lake Burke fishing pierfishing pier
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.
Cooler math for Burke Lake under Virginia rules
| 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 |
The 2026 statewide rows are the default on Burke Lake.
DWR page rule lines for Burke Lake
- Largemouth Bass
- There is a 12-inch minimum size limit on largemouth bass in Burke Lake. Anglers can harvest five bass per day as long as they are 12 inches or longer. Anglers are encouraged to practice catch and release on larger bass, as their value to the fishery can provide enjoyment for the many other anglers that fish the lake.
- Muskellunge
- There is a 30-inch minimum size limit on muskie in Burke Lake. Anglers can harvest 2 muskie per day if they so desire as long as they are 30 inches or longer. Anglers should take into account that the more carefully released legal size muskies, the better the chances will be to catch a trophy in the 20 to 25 pound range in the years to come.
- Walleye
- There is a (statewide) 18″ minimum size limit on walleye in Burke Lake. Anglers can harvest 5 walleye per day and are encouraged to do so, as they are excellent eating.
- Channel Catfish
- There is no size limit on channel catfish in Burke Lake. Anglers can harvest 10 channel catfish per day.
- Bluegill (Sunfish)
- There is no size limit on sunfish (bluegill, redear sunfish, warmouth, etc.) in Burke Lake. Anglers can harvest 50 sunfish (combined) per day. Anglers are encouraged to harvest bluegill in hopes of thinning out the population to allow for increased growth rates and eventually larger bluegill.
- Black Crappie
- There is no minimum size limit on black crappie in Burke Lake. Anglers can harvest 25 black crappie per day.
- Other Regulations:
- Camping, swimming, sailboats, wading, hunting, trotlines and fishing tournaments involving prizes are prohibited. Trapping by permit only. The use of kayaks in Burke Lake is prohibited unless the user is actively engaged in fishing.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
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.
Burke Lake among nearby lakes
Next to Burke Lake, Occoquan Reservoir is the giant of the group at 2,100 acres.
| Water | Distance | Size | DWR ramps | Trout stocking dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burke Lake | this water | 218 acres | 1 | 0 |
| Occoquan Reservoir | 4 miles southwest | 2,100 acres | 0 | 0 |
| Cook Lake | 11 miles east | 3 acres (DWR outline area) | 0 | 19 |
| Fairfax Lake | 14 miles north | 28 acres | 0 | 0 |
| Locust Shade Park | 16 miles south | 3 acres (DWR outline area) | 0 | 18 |
| Lake Brittle | 21 miles west | 77 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.
Just off Burke Lake, by road
Another Virginia impoundment after Burke Lake
- Occoquan Reservoir4 miles southwest
- Cook Lake11 miles east
- Fairfax Lake14 miles north
- Locust Shade Park16 miles south
- Lake Brittle21 miles west
Filling the bait bucket close to Burke Lake
- Boat America Corporationmarina, Springfield, 5 miles
- Marina Maidsmarina, Springfield, 7 miles
- Harbour Viewmarina, Woodbridge, 7 miles
- Captain John S Beach Marinamarina, Lorton, 7 miles
- Hot Fever Fishingbait and tackle shop, Fairfax, 8 miles
- Belmont Bay Harbor Marinamarina, Woodbridge, 8 miles
Places to stay near Burke Lake
- South Run2 miles, Fairfax County
- Burke Centre2 miles, Fairfax County
- Burke2 miles, Fairfax County
- Fairfax Station3 miles, Fairfax County
The Virginia counties and cities along Burke Lake
- Fairfax Countycounty seat Fairfax
Reels from Piscifun for the next trip to Burke Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Lakes, tidewater and stream riffles close to Burke Lake, in pictures
Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Mike Oswald, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: crudmucosa, CC BY 2.0
Burke Lake, asked and answered for Virginia anglers
How do I find Burke Lake on a Virginia map?
Point the map at Fairfax County, about 2 miles from South Run.
How many acres is Burke Lake?
Size on record: 218 acres.
Does DWR keep a public launch on Burke Lake?
Use Lake Burke boat ramp, the single DWR launch.
What swims in Burke Lake?
The DWR list includes black crappie, blue catfish, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass and muskellunge.
How many largemouth can go home from Burke Lake?
The statewide digest row for largemouth and smallmouth bass reads: 5 per day in the aggregate (combined); No statewide length limits.
What does DWR charge to fish Burke Lake?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older. Anyone not yet 16 is excused from buying one.
Where can bank anglers fish Burke Lake?
DWR maps one fishing pier there: Lake Burke fishing pier.
What tackle store is handiest for Burke Lake trips?
Boat America Corporation (about 5 miles away) heads the shop list.
Load the cooler for Burke Lake
Each 2026 Virginia fee and creel row is linked below.