Every angler can attest, a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work, and at one of Virginia's most beautiful and bountiful fishing lakes, Kerr Reservoir, commonly known as Buggs Island Lake, is no exception.

Fortunately for us, we have a state park located smack dab along some of the best fishing areas at this lake, called Occoneechee State Park.

Some might even call this lake a honey-hole for catching your limit.

Fishing the shoreline is another way to catch a whopper at Occoneechee State Park.

There are three boat ramps for launching your boat at Occoneechee.

Occoneechee State Park provides 24-hour access to Virginia’s largest lake with three boat ramps that open the door to 48,000 acres of fishing, boating and aquatic recreation. 

Forty-six campsites are available for tent and RV campers. Some sites are right on the shoreline, providing easy fishing and boating access. The park also has 11 cabins  and 2 lodges that allow guests to enjoy the comforts of home as well as beautiful views of the lake. Transient slip rentals are available to rent for your stay. An equestrian campground with 11 sites and 11 covered horse stalls offers easy access to the park’s trail system. Occoneechee also has picnic areas near the lake, a playground, boat rentals and a lakefront amphitheater. Enjoy the Splash Spray Ground that is a hit with children and families. 

If you don't fish, there's still plenty more to do at Occoneechee State Park. Everyone loves water, and that includes the birds and wildlife. 

Occoneechee State Park has more than 20 miles of trails that meander through the forest and along the lake's shore. The trails enable hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders to take in the beauty of Virginia’s Piedmont. Nature lovers can enjoy the wildlife attracted to habitat enhancement plots along the park’s main road. The plots attract various birds, deer and woodland creatures.

Park size: 2,698 acres. Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir), 48,000 acres. Panhandle Area is 1,900 acres.

A little more on fishing and boating 

Marina slips available annually - info here.

Buggs Island Lake and connecting Lake Gaston are famous for the number and size of fish there. Striped and largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and perch are plentiful. Three boat ramps provide motorized and non-motorized boat access to Buggs Island Lake. A Buggs Island Special Pass that covers boat launching and parking for Occoneechee and Staunton River state parks is available. Call 1-800-933-PARK for more information.

You can rent pontoon and fishing boats, including safety equipment, at boat ramp 1 from Clarksville Water Sports. Call (434) 374-2525 for rental information or to make reservations.

Call 1-800-933-PARK to purchase an annual boat launch passport. Click here for park fees.

Go Fish

Learn more about fishing at other Virginia State Parks.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR) has a page dedicated to Kerr Reservoir, you can learn more about fish populations and daily limits at the lake.

Fish Virginia First details some of the best fishing holes across the Commonwealth, whether you're an avid angler or want to try your hand at fishing for the first time.

Location

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, three and a half hours; Richmond, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, three hours; Roanoke, two and half hours. From North Carolina: Durham, one hour. and Greensboro, two hours.

Learn more about hunting, fishing, archery, boating and the park's splash spray ground at Occoneechee State Park.

To check availability or make an overnight reservation click here, or call 800-933-7275. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.