Summersville Lake

Boat Ramps: 6
Access Points: 7
Species: 17

Summersville Lake is the largest lake in West Virginia, covering approximately 2,700 acres on the Gauley River with 60 miles of shoreline. Often referred to as the Little Bahamas of the East due to its clear blue waters, this scenic reservoir offers excellent fishing opportunities in a picturesque setting surrounded by rock formations. The lake's fertile waters support abundant baitfish populations, creating ideal conditions for various game fish species. With its numerous coves, points, and underwater structures, Summersville Lake has become a popular destination for anglers throughout the year.

West Virginia licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

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

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

Golden Redhorse

Moxostoma erythrurum

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Summersville 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.

Battle Run Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Summersville 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.

West Virginia licenses and regulations

West 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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West Virginia Fishing License

All anglers who are at the age of 15 and older are required to have a fishing license and a valid form of identification such as a State Issued ID or Driver's License while fishing.

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West 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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West Virginia Stream Access Laws

On navigable waters, the public may use the streambed up to the high water mark. On floatable waters, the public may float through private land but cannot legally use the streambed. Public rights on non-navigable waters are not well defined, but are likely none.

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