ATLAS › SOUTHEAST › WEST VIRGINIA
Summersville Lake
West Virginia's largest lake, a deep, clear reservoir known for smallmouth bass and walleye.
Depth & Structure
Deep, clear, oligotrophic reservoir, West Virginia's largest — 2,700 acres, max depth 327 feet at dam, steep rocky cliffs descending about 100 feet below surface; productive fishing water often 30-50 feet with fish attractors marked by buoys
Best Lures
Bright jigs tipped with minnows/nightcrawlers for shallow spring walleye, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits when walleye are shallow, grubs and nightcrawlers just off bottom in summer
Best Baits
Live minnows and nightcrawlers tipped on jigs for walleye — reported in spring spawning areas 5-15 feet, then 20-40 feet on points/flats/ledges
Gear to Bring
Medium spinning, 2500-3000 reels, 6-12 lb line for walleye/smallmouth; medium baitcasting for bass around cliffs and points
Local Tips
['Spring walleye spawn in 5-15 feet in rocky areas and inlet channels when water reaches mid to high 40s, then move to 20-40 feet around points and ledges', 'Summer walleye concentrate 25-40 feet — early morning, dusk and night fishing is best as they move…
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Related Water
Fish photos: smallmouth bass — Wikimedia Commons · walleye — Wikimedia Commons · largemouth bass — Wikimedia Commons
Fishing regulations, seasons and limits change — always check the current rules for this water before you fish. Spot pins are approximate area markers, not launch or access coordinates.