Lake Anna

Boat Ramps: 14
Access Points: 15
Species: 22

Lake Anna is a 13,000-acre impoundment located in Louisa, Orange, and Spotsylvania counties in Virginia. Created in the 1970s with the construction of the North Anna Dam, the lake serves as cooling water for the North Anna Nuclear Power Station. It features approximately 250 miles of shoreline with an average depth of 33 feet and reaches a maximum depth of 80 feet near the dam. The reservoir is divided into two main sections: about 9,000 acres of cold side open to public fishing and boating, and approximately 4,000 acres of hot side which is private. Lake Anna has developed a reputation as one of Virginia's premier fishing destinations, known for its excellent largemouth bass, striped bass, and crappie populations.

Virginia licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Lake Anna and what's needed to catch them.

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Lake Anna. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Dyke III Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Lake Anna

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Virginia licenses and regulations

Virginia Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Virginia Stream Access Laws

Virginia uses a strict navigable in fact test, where waterways must be capable of commercial trade and travel in their natural condition and public access is limited where navigable waters border private land. The state law isn’t fully developed and is arguably stricter than the federal title test. While state law is confusing and hasn’t been friendly to public access in the past, a 2015 court case opened up 14 rivers to public use that were previously off limits.

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Virginia Fishing License

A Virginia fishing license is required for residents and non-residents, age 16 and over.

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Virginia Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Take Lake Anna with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Lake Anna to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake Anna to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.