Fishing Lake Chesdin, VA
AKA: Chesdin Lake
Boat and bank fishing
Last updated on .
Popular Fish Species
Largemouth Bass Fishing
Lake Chesdin continues to deliver largemouth bass that is rated very good to excellent, as it has for several years now. Careful fisheries management by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has maintained a thriving bass fishery, providing both quantity and quality for anglers. Recent results by locals, and bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been very rewarding lately. Also, there is the potential for catching a monster. Big mouth bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good options. In winter, spend your time fishing Lake Chesdin on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.
Crappie Fishing
Lake Chesdin continues to be a very good crappie fishing lake, especially in Spring and Fall. The lake has good populations of both black crappie and white crappie. These two species generally school by with their own, but once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water.
Walleye Fishing
The newest fish species to gain attention at Lake Chesdin is walleye, and they are thriving here of this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rock and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.
Lake & Fishing Video
Fishing tips for boat or bank fishing
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, redear sunfish, white perch, striped bass and saugeye at Lake Chesdin in Virginia.
Ideal for water skiing, boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing, Lake Chesdin offers fun for the whole family. The lake covers 3,100 acres in the east-central part of Virginia, at Petersburg.
Anglers with a boat can explore over 340 miles of shoreline - some of which is accessible for fishing from bank. There is a fishing pier as well. Fishing enthusiasts are drawn here for bass and crappie, but the lake also has catfish, saugeye, walleye, stripers, and numerous sunfish species. Local VA fishing guides offer trips with all gear provided. There are several boat launch ramps, including one with no fee near the dam. Petersburg and West Petersburg are just a few miles from the lake.
Primary fish species residing in Lake Chesdin
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Lake Chesdin Amenities
Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: NEARBY
Today's Weather & Forecast
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Click here for boat launch ramps.
Marinas
Click here for marinas.
Fishing License
Click here for a Virginia Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Lake Chesdin Campground - 804 265-9000
Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Lake Chesdin Campground
713 Sutherland Rd
Church Rd, VA 23833
804 265-9000
Fishing lakes in each state
020626
VIRGINIA
Fishing in east-central VA, at Lake Chesdin, for bass, crappie, catfish, saugeye, walleye, stripers, and sunfish .
