Motts Run Reservoir Fishing
Public reservoir fishing in Spotsylvania County, 160 acres.
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Motts Run Reservoir, the short version
Covering 160 acres, Motts Run Reservoir is a reservoir in Spotsylvania County. Ice, gas and groceries wait in Southern Gateway, roughly 4 miles off.
The DWR access layer counts 1 boat ramp here. Bank anglers get 1 fishing pier on the DWR pier layer.
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 waterbody page on Motts Run Reservoir
Motts Run is a city of Fredericksburg water supply reservoir located in Spotsylvania County. It is a steep-sided, 160-acre lake that is normally quiet and receives light fishing pressure. The shoreline is undeveloped, making it one of the more scenic lakes in Northern Virginia.
Directions and facilities at Motts Run Reservoir
In Fredericksburg, from I-95 Exit 130-B west, continue on Route 3 (Plank Road) approximately 0.5 mile; turn right on Route 639 (Bragg Road) and go about one mile to River Road. Turn left on Route 618 (River Road), go about 2.5 miles along the river past a canoe outfitter and up a steep hill. Watch for the entrance to the concession on the left just past the crest of the hill.
The DWR text on Motts Run Reservoir appears unedited above.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
What DWR marks as available at Motts Run Reservoir
- Boat motors (DWR layer)Electric Motors Only
- Facilities DWR marksfee, parking, accessible facilities, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, hiking trails, fishing pier or platform, boat ramps, electric motors only, paddle access
- DWR region numberDWR Region 4
These Motts Run Reservoir entries come from DWR layers, word for word where possible.
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.
What swims in Motts Run Reservoir, per DWR
Best bets DWR marks at Motts Run Reservoir
| Species group | DWR rating |
|---|---|
| Bass | present |
| Catfish | present |
| Panfish | present |
Nothing here for Motts Run Reservoir is an angler report; it is what DWR names.
Virginia DWR waterbody page (updated 11/17/2023), read November 6, 2026.
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| Site | Recorded attributes | Owner | Location (DWR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motts boat ramp on Motts Run Reservoir | hand launch (boat slide), freshwater | VDOT | From Fredericksburg, Rt 3 West; North on Rt 639 (.9); L on Rt 618 (2.1) |
Shore casting spots DWR maps at Motts Run Reservoir
- Motts Run Reservoir fishing pierfishing pier
Ramps worth knowing close to Motts Run Reservoir
- Rocky Pen Park on Lake MooneyLake Mooney, 1 mile northeast
- Hunting Run boat ramp on Rapidan River (Trout Section)Rapidan River (Trout Section), 5 miles northwest
- City Docks boat ramp on Tidal Rappahannock RiverTidal Rappahannock River, 6 miles east
- Elys Ford boat ramp on Rapidan River (Trout Section)Rapidan River (Trout Section), 8 miles northwest
- Lake Curtis boat rampLake Curtis, 8 miles north
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.
Size and creel at Motts Run 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 |
Unless the digest singles out Motts Run Reservoir for a species, the statewide row decides.
What the DWR page lists under rules for Motts Run Reservoir
- Bass
- The 12-inch minimum size limit was recently removed for bass harvest to allow anglers to remove stockpiled 10-12″ fish
- Electric motors only are allowed
- Daily or seasonal permits are required and available from the concession
- Channel Catfish
- 15 inch minimum, anglers can harvest 8 a day
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.
Virginia records caught at Motts Run Reservoir
| Species | Weight as printed | Date | Water as listed | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | 31 lbs. 4 oz. | 7-24-1994 | Motts Run Reservoir |
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.
Sizing Motts Run Reservoir against nearby impoundments
Among the five nearest lake pages, Lake Mooney is the biggest at 520 acres.
| Water | Distance | Size | DWR ramps | Trout stocking dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motts Run Reservoir | this water | 160 acres | 1 | 0 |
| Lake Mooney | 2 miles north | 520 acres | 1 | 0 |
| Old Cossey Pond | 5 miles southeast | 3 acres | 0 | 19 |
| Ni Reservoir | 5 miles southwest | 411 acres | 0 | 0 |
| Hunting Run Reservoir | 5 miles west | 420 acres | 0 | 0 |
| Abel Reservoir | 7 miles northeast | 185 acres | 0 | 0 |
Virginia DWR waterbody pages and Public Fishing Lakes layer, NHD outline areas, DWR Boating Access Locations and stocking schedule; read November 6, 2026.
Old Dominion stops around Motts Run Reservoir
Other impoundments a short drive from Motts Run Reservoir
- Lake Mooney2 miles north
- Old Cossey Pond5 miles southeast
- Ni Reservoir5 miles southwest
- Hunting Run Reservoir5 miles west
- Abel Reservoir7 miles northeast
Bloodworm and minnow counters en route to Motts Run Reservoir
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 3708 Plank Rdsporting goods store, Fredericksburg, 2 miles
- Ken's Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Fredericksburg, 5 miles
- Low Main Marinamarina, Locust Grove, 11 miles
- Willow Landing Marinamarina, Stafford, 13 miles
- Hope Springs Marinamarina, Stafford, 13 miles
- Holiday Harbor Marinamarina, Stafford, 13 miles
Hired Commonwealth guides on Motts Run Reservoir
- White Lightning Sport Fishingcharter, Fredericksburg, (703) 407-2700
Towns that make a good base for Motts Run Reservoir
- Southern Gateway4 miles, Stafford County
- Fredericksburg4 miles, City of Fredericksburg
- Falmouth5 miles, Stafford County
- Spotsylvania Courthouse8 miles, Spotsylvania County
Each locality touching Motts Run Reservoir, linked
- Spotsylvania Countycounty seat Spotsylvania Courthouse
A Piscifun spread to take to Motts Run Reservoir
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Photo ID for the fish swimming at Motts Run Reservoir
Photo: USFWS Pacific Southwest Region, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Andy Sloane, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Sorting out Motts Run Reservoir, question by question
Which part of Virginia is Motts Run Reservoir in?
Set the GPS for Spotsylvania County, about 4 miles from Southern Gateway.
What size is Motts Run Reservoir?
It spans 160 acres.
Which Commonwealth ramp puts a bass boat on Motts Run Reservoir?
The DWR list has just Motts boat ramp on Motts Run Reservoir.
Which fish does a Virginia angler find in Motts Run Reservoir?
Expect bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike and white perch, per DWR.
Do I measure bass at Motts Run Reservoir?
The statewide digest row for largemouth and smallmouth bass reads: 5 per day in the aggregate (combined); No statewide length limits.
Which license should I carry at Motts Run Reservoir?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older. Anglers under 16 need none.
Is Motts Run Reservoir worth a trip with no boat on the trailer?
DWR maps one fishing pier there: Motts Run Reservoir fishing pier.
Does any listed bait store serve Motts Run Reservoir?
Try Sportsman's Warehouse (about 2 miles away).
Does the DWR record list include Motts Run Reservoir?
Northern Pike, 31 lbs. 4 oz., 1994, is on the DWR record list for this water (angler names are left out here).
Head out to Motts Run Reservoir this season
Read the creel rows before the bow leaves the ramp.