Goodwin Lake Fishing in Prince Edward County, Virginia

• Overview

  Set in Prince Edward County, Goodwin Lake is a Virginia water. It lies 469 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 13 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. The closest town, Crewe, is 8.7 miles distant. Then Farmville, 11 miles, and Hampden Sydney, 11 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Goodwin Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Prince Edward County records list bluegill, fantail darter, green sunfish, glassy darter and tessellated darter among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Goodwin Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 36°F in January and 77°F in July. Warm months push fish deep; cool months bring them back. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Goodwin Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. A boat ramp sits about half a mile from the water. There is recorded parking some half a mile off. A platform or pier sits within 80 yards. There is a campsite half a mile from the water. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Prince Edward Lake is 0.4 miles off. Rules at Goodwin Lake are worth checking on the day.