Fishing Report For Smith Mountain Lake, VA

AKA: Smith Mountain Reservoir

By Rick Seaman

April 3, 2025

Popular Fish Species Reports
Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Fishing License
Map
Contact Info

Fishing Report Smith Mountain Lake, VA

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Smith Mountain Lake, VA

Largemouth Bass

Current Report: Good
Outlook: Good To Very Good

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources reports higher concentrations of both largemouth and smallmouth bass this year, compared to previous years. The fishing has been good, and should only improve as Spring weather warms the water. The bass will be moving shallow to feed and spawn, then back out deeper to ledges, points and humps. Surveys indicate the highest concentrations of bass are in the area between Hales Ford Bridge, up to Moorman's Marina in the river end. Largemouth bass are currently being caught on vibrating jigs, stick worms, crankbaits, jerkbaits, worms and jigs. Once the water warms a bit, topwater action should be good again this year.

Striped Bass

Current Report: Good To Very Good
Outlook: Very Good

The striper fishery here is strong enough to get national recognition. So good, that there are restrictions for when, and how many, anglers can catch and keep. Being successful at fishing for stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and wolf packs of stripers are likely to be nearby. In Summer and Fall stripers tend to stay in the main basin of the lake where there id deep, cold water. In Spring and Summer they are also found in major coves, as well as up the river. Fish finders are a big help in locating these roaming schools. Swimbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, spoons, live bait and cut bait are all effective here.

Black Crappie - White Crappie

Uncle Buck's Panfish Creatures Curly Tail Minnow Rigged

Current Report: Poor Good
Outlook: Good

The crappie fishing here does not deliver big numbers, it however is noted for having very good quality - for the average crappie being caught. Large coves and bays on the river end of the lake seem to be holding the better concentrations of crappie. Successful crappie enthusiasts report success using fish finders to locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around any little piece of cover. Spring is the premiere time to be on the water as crappie move into shallow coves to spawn, Fall is also great for crappie fishing. Docks, brush piles, wood and vegetation are a good place to cast small crappie jigs or live minnows. Light tackle with 4 lb to 8 lb line is ideal.

Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, white perch, yellow perch, striped bass and muskie at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

Smith Mountain Lake, is a 20,000-acre lake with over 500 miles of shoreline which offers excellent fishing opportunities. The lake has a reputation as an excellent bass fishery. Additionally the lake has healthy populations of stripers, muskie, perch, crappie, catfish and sunfish. Access to shoreline for fishing from the bank is available at numerous locations.

Primary fish species to catch

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Click here for fishing boat rentals available at this lake.

Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.

Marinas

Click here for marinas available at this lake.

Fishing License

Click here for a Virginia Fishing License.

Map - Fishing & Access

Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".