Colonial Forest Lake, Virginia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Colonial Forest Lake sits within Hanover County in Virginia. What surrounds it is dry hill. It covers about 13 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The closest town, Mechanicsville, is 5.2 miles away. The nearest city of size is Richmond, an 11 miles drive. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Colonial Forest Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. County-wide records name bluegill, redbreast sunfish and tessellated darter. The county list is broader than any single water. On Colonial Forest Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 36°F in January up to 78°F in July. Cold never closes this one. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. On Colonial Forest Lake the same rules apply, with local timing. The hour either side of first light is rarely wasted.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Failing this one, try Pebblebrook Lake, 1.6 miles away. Where Colonial Forest Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.