Picture Lake Fishing in Dinwiddie County, Virginia

• Overview

  Virginia holds Picture Lake, in Dinwiddie County. The country here is open plain. Roughly 33 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Matoaca is the closest town at 5 miles. Beyond it, Ettrick at 7.1 miles and Petersburg at 7.7 miles. Within a short run: Jordon Lake a touch under 0.8 miles, Clarkes Lake 1.6 miles off, Wilkinson Pond a touch under 4.5 miles, Pamplins Pond 4.7 miles off and Slates Pond a touch under 5.2 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Picture Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Records held for Dinwiddie County cover Roanoke darter, tessellated darter, bluegill and glassy darter. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Picture Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 37°F in January and 78°F in July. The surface stays open the year round. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Plan any trip to Picture Lake around it. Barometric swings often matter more than the calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Midway Area holds the nearest mapped parking, half a mile out. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Jordon Lake sits 0.8 miles off and takes the overflow. Nothing here settles the position at Picture Lake for certain.