Lake Louisa in Louisa County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Set in Louisa County, Lake Louisa is a Virginia water. It lies 299 feet above sea level. This is sizeable water at about 272 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. The perimeter runs near 3.5 miles, so plan the walk before you start. Of the waters listed here in Louisa County, this is the largest. Louisa lies 6 miles from the water. Gordonsville lies 9.2 miles off, Orange another 10 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Lake Louisa

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Species logged across Louisa County include bluegill, black crappie and channel catfish. The county list is broader than any single water. On Lake Louisa the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 34°F to 76°F. In milder years the surface never sets. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. That is the shape of the year on Lake Louisa. Water temperature lags behind air temperature by days, not hours.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Mapping shows a ramp about half a mile from the shore. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Meyerton Lake is 1.1 miles distant. Nothing here settles the position at Lake Louisa for certain.