Smith Mountain Lake

Boat Ramps: 22
Access Points: 27
Species: 21

Smith Mountain Lake is a sprawling 20,600-acre reservoir located in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Created in 1963 with the construction of the Smith Mountain Dam on the Roanoke River, it's the second-largest lake in Virginia with over 500 miles of shoreline. The lake has an average depth of about 55 feet, though its deepest point near the dam reaches 250 feet. The reservoir features two major arms formed by the Roanoke and Blackwater Rivers, along with numerous creeks and coves. Smith Mountain Lake has earned a reputation as one of Virginia's premier fishing destinations, known particularly for its excellent striped bass and largemouth bass fisheries.

Virginia licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

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

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Smith Mountain Lake. 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.

Know where you can legally fish on Smith Mountain Lake

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 Smith Mountain Lake 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 Smith Mountain Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Smith Mountain Lake 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.