Lake Gaston Fishing
DWR-listed reservoir water in Brunswick County, 20,300 acres.
Pick for catfishPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo: ted, CC BY 2.0
First notes on Lake Gaston
Find Lake Gaston, a reservoir of 20,300 acres, in Brunswick County. It sits about 14 miles from South Hill.
DWR records 3 boat ramps that open onto it. Shore casters have 1 fishing pier to try. The digest prints special limits for it. It straddles the line with Kerr, and the digest prints a license agreement.
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.
DWR notes on fishing Lake Gaston
This 20,300-acre reservoir is 34 miles long and has 350 miles of shoreline. The Virginia portion of this lake is primarily in Brunswick County, just below Buggs Island Lake (Virginia licenses are legal lake-wide). Before leaving Lake Gaston, boat owners should make sure that their boat, motor, and trailer do not have hydrilla on them. This will decrease the likelihood of spreading this exotic plant to other water bodies.
Site notes for Lake Gaston
Access Points: Pea Hill From Gasburg East on Rt. 626, Left on Rt. 705 Poplar Creek From Broadnax, Rt. 58 West, Left on Rt. 626 Steel Bridge
For Lake Gaston, the block above is copied from the DWR waterbody page.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
Motors, parking and more at Lake Gaston
- Boat motors (DWR layer)Unlimited HP
Each line repeats a field DWR keeps for Lake Gaston; blank fields are left off.
Virginia DWR Public Fishing Lakes layer (outline, motor rule, region number), read November 6, 2026.
Fish Virginia DWR names at Lake Gaston
Every fish listed for Lake Gaston has a DWR source behind it.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
For the catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Trailer ramps the DWR lists at Lake Gaston
| Site | Recorded attributes | Owner | Location (DWR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea Hill boat ramp on Lake Gaston | dock and ramp, 1 ramp, barrier-free, freshwater | DWR | From Gasburg East on Rt 626 (.9); L on Rt 705 |
| Poplar Creek boat ramp on Lake Gaston | dock and ramp, 2 ramps, barrier-free, freshwater | DWR | From Broadnax, Rt. 58 West (.2); L on Rt 626 (1.8) |
| Steel Bridge boat ramp on Lake Gaston | dock and ramp, 1 ramp, barrier-free, freshwater | Dominion | Southwest on Rt. 1 (7) of South Hill |
Fishing Lake Gaston without a boat
- Steel Bridge fishing pier on Lake Gastonfishing pier
Neighbouring boat ramps around Lake Gaston
- Lake Gordon boat rampLake Gordon, 15 miles northwest
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.
Keep rules for Lake Gaston
| 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 |
At Lake Gaston, start from the statewide rows and then read any water line.
Lines in the Virginia digest just for Lake Gaston
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Gaston | Largemouth, Smallmouth Bass | Only 2 of 5 largemouth or smallmouth bass less than 14 inches |
| Lake Gaston | Landlocked Striped Bass and Landlocked Striped Bass X White Bass Hybrids | 4 per day in the aggregate (combined); October 1–May 31: No striped bass or hybrid striped bass less than 20 inches; June 1–September 30: No length limit |
| Lake Gaston and Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir, including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Leesville Dam and the Dan River and its tributar | White Bass | 10 per day; no white bass less than 14 inches |
| Lake Gaston and Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir | Chain Pickerel and Northern Pike | No daily limit |
| Lake Gaston and Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir including the Staunton (Roanoke) River and its tributaries to Difficult Creek, Charlotte County; and the Dan Ri | Bluegill (bream) and other sunfish excluding Crappie, Rock Bass (redeye) and Roa | No daily limit |
| Lake Gaston and that portion of the New River from the VA–NC state line downstream to the confluence of the New and Little rivers in Grayson County | Crappie (black or white) | No daily limit |
| Lake Gaston and Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir and that portion of the New River from the VA–NC state line downstream to the confluence of the New and Little | Rock Bass (redeye) | No daily limit |
| Lake Gaston | Blue | No daily limit, 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.
State-line license rules on Lake Gaston
- 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 weights landed at Lake Gaston
| Species | Weight as printed | Date | Water as listed | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saugeye | 6 lbs. 8 oz. | 5-29-2023 | Lake Gaston |
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.
Weigh-ins scheduled for Lake Gaston
Trail dates and winning bags from Lake Gaston are gathered on their own page.
Virginia lakes clustered near Lake Gaston
On size, Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) heads the lakes around Lake Gaston with 48,900 acres.
| Water | Distance | Size | DWR ramps | Trout stocking dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Gaston | this water | 20,300 acres | 3 | 0 |
| Lake Gordon | 15 miles northwest | 157 acres | 1 | 0 |
| Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) | 16 miles west | 48,900 acres | 0 | 0 |
| Great Creek Watershed Lake | 18 miles northeast | 212 acres | 1 | 0 |
| Brunswick Lake | 23 miles northeast | 150 acres | 1 | 0 |
| Emporia Reservoir | 27 miles northeast | 210 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.
Close to Lake Gaston on the Commonwealth map
More Virginia lakes within reach of Lake Gaston
- Lake Gordon15 miles northwest
- Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)16 miles west
- Great Creek Watershed Lake18 miles northeast
- Brunswick Lake23 miles northeast
- Emporia Reservoir27 miles northeast
Stores with hooks, line and lures around Lake Gaston
- Poplar Creek Marinamarina, Bracey, 2 miles
- Twin Lakes Outfittersbait and tackle shop, South Hill, 14 miles
- Buggs Island Boat Comarina, Boydton, 17 miles
- Rudd's Creek Marinamarina, Boydton, 24 miles
A bed and a breakfast counter near Lake Gaston
- South Hill14 miles, Mecklenburg County
- Lawrenceville18 miles, Brunswick County
- Emporia29 miles, City of Emporia
- Kenbridge30 miles, Lunenburg County
Locality pages that take in Lake Gaston
- Brunswick Countycounty seat Lawrenceville
Piscifun tackle that suits Lake Gaston
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Commonwealth fish worth recognizing at Lake Gaston
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Pacific Southwest Region, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Andy Sloane, CC BY-SA 2.0
Questions on Lake Gaston before the truck is loaded
Where in the Commonwealth is Lake Gaston?
Our records place it in Brunswick County, about 14 miles from South Hill.
How big is Lake Gaston?
It is listed at 20,300 acres.
Does Lake Gaston have a DWR launch?
3 boating access sites are on the DWR layer, among them Pea Hill boat ramp on Lake Gaston.
Which fish does Virginia DWR name at Lake Gaston?
DWR names blue catfish, bluegill, chain pickerel, channel catfish, largemouth bass, striped bass and walleye.
Is there a length limit on bass at Lake Gaston?
The statewide digest row for largemouth and smallmouth bass reads: 5 per day in the aggregate (combined); No statewide length limits. Its own digest row shows in that band.
Can a visitor fish Lake Gaston?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older. DWR asks nothing of anglers under 16.
Is there a fishing pier on Lake Gaston?
DWR maps one fishing pier there: Steel Bridge fishing pier on Lake Gaston.
Which Virginia bait counter sits closest to Lake Gaston?
Nearest in our list: Poplar Creek Marina (about 2 miles away).
Is Lake Gaston in the Virginia record book?
Saugeye, 6 lbs. 8 oz., 2023, is on the DWR record list for this water (angler names are left out here).
Can I fish Lake Gaston with an out-of-state license?
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 …
Rig up for Lake Gaston before sunrise
Buy the Virginia license online before you go.