About Kerr Lake
Kerr Lake, also called Buggs Island Lake, is one of the largest lakes in the southeast with over 850 miles of shoreline situated on the border of North Carolina and Virginia.
This man-made lake extends 39 miles from the John H. Kerr Dam up the Roanoke River and is well-known as a family-friendly destination for outdoor recreation. Visitors enjoy fishing, swimming, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing, and more on its 50,000 acres of water. Along the peaceful, wooded shorelines you can hike, camp, and birdwatch for bald eagles, herons, and other waterfowl.
Kerr Lake is a short drive from Richmond, Raleigh, or Charlotte and is easily accessible from I-85 or US-1 in Henderson, NC or from US-15 or US-58 in Clarksville, VA.
Fishing on Kerr Lake
Kerr Lake offers some of the absolute best freshwater fishing on the east coast and often plays host to state or national fishing tournaments. It’s the only lake in Virginia to have a naturally-reproducing population of striped bass, and In-Fisherman magazine ranked it as the #1 crappie fishing lake in the United States. Anglers also come to Kerr Lake to fish for large-mouth and white bass, catfish, walleye, bluegill, and more.
Clarksville, located on the Virginia side of the lake, is a unique spot for nighttime fishing thanks to the iridescent green lights installed above and below the water on the local bridge. The glow attracts bait fish – and where there’s bait fish, there’s game fish!
Kerr Lake is also the source of several record catches including:
Blue catfish, World record, 143 lbs (2011)
Freshwater drum, Virginia state record, 29 lbs 6 oz (2018)
Freshwater drum, North Carolina state record, 23 lbs 8 oz (2013)
White bass, North Carolina state record, 5 lbs 14oz (1986)
Other Things to Do
Places to Stay
Places to Eat
Ayala’s Mexican Restaurant
