Lynnhaven Lake Fishing Guide, City of Hampton, Virginia

• Overview

  Lynnhaven Lake sits in City of Hampton, out in Virginia. Elevation runs to 26 feet. It covers about 15 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It is low-lying compared with other Virginia water we list. 3.5 miles away sits Hampton, the nearest town. Then East Hampton, 4.2 miles, and Newport News, 4.6 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Lynnhaven Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. City of Hampton records list gizzard shad, American eel and striped bass among the fish reported. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Lynnhaven Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 80°F and January reads 40°F. The year never really closes; it just gets uncomfortable in summer. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lynnhaven Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. You can leave the car about half a mile from the water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Lake Hampton is 2.1 miles distant. Rules at Lynnhaven Lake are worth checking on the day.