Fishing Burnsville Lake

AKA: Burnsville Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Burnsville Lake Fishing Video
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Burnsville Lake, WV

Popular Fish Species Burnsville Lake, WV

Burnsville Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Burnsville Lake is a popular bass tournament lake as it continues to deliver nice bags of largemouth bass, as it has for several years now. Careful fisheries management by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has maintained a thriving bass fishery, providing both quantity and quality for anglers. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers. 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 Burnsville Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Fishing for largemouth bass can range from fair to very good here, year round.

Crappie Fishing

Often overlooked due to great fishing for other species, Burnsville Lake is also a very good crappie fishing lake. In fact, many crappie fishing tournaments are held here annually. The lake is populated with 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.

Muskie Fishing

Home to the state record muskie at over 50 pounds, fishing for muskellunge in Burnsville Lake could provide a trophy fish on any given cast. Giant musky roam these waters and are aggressive eaters. Muskie fishing can bring some exciting moments to your fishing day, as big muskies are spectacular, and strong fighters. Use a strong rod in medium- to medium-heavy action, with heavy line - 20# or heavier. Because of their sharp teeth, steel leaders are highly recommended. Muskie have a big mouth so use big baits, same baits you would use for bass but in larger sizes. Topwater, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits all work well for hungry muskie. The best time of year to chase these big fish is Spring, and then again in Fall as the water temperature starts cooling.

Burnsville Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, muskie, sauger and saugeye at Burnsville Lake in West Virginia.

Three boat launch ramps provide boat access to Burnsville Lake for boating, sightseeing and fishing. This 1,900-acre lake in central West Virginia, at Burnsville has 30 miles of shoreline. There are plenty of places to wet a line.

Grab your tackle and fish for bass, walleye, sauger, saugeye, crappie, catfish, sunfish and muskie dwelling here. Access for fishing from shore is limited, but there are areas at both ends of the lake for this. Fishing from a boat, canoe, kayak or pontoon is a more productive way to attack this scenic fishery. A marina and three campgrounds enhance boating and camping during your stay. These waters receive little fishing pressure which results in quality fishing for those who do fish here. Bass are abundant, with many in the "big fish" category, over five pounds.

Primary fish species residing in Burnsville Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Burnsville Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NO
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Bulltown Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Millstone Run Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Bulltown South Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, south side, off Gauley Turnpike, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Rifle Run Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, east side, off S Main Street, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Marinas

Burnsville Docks
2746 S Main St
Burnsville, WV 26335
304 853-2822