Poplar Forest Lake, Virginia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Poplar Forest Lake is one of the Bedford County listings for Virginia. Everything around it is mixed woodland. It covers about 9 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Forest sits 1.5 miles from the bank. Timberlake lies 2 miles off, West Lynchburg another 6.4 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Poplar Forest Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Open biodiversity records for Bedford County list bluegill, fantail darter, common carp and redbreast sunfish. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Fish Poplar Forest Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 76°F and January at 35°F. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Poplar Forest Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Parking within half a mile means no long carry with tackle. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. For a change of water, Timber Lake is 2.2 miles distant. Confirm before you fish Poplar Forest Lake.