Travis Lake near Bowling Green: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Set in Caroline County, Virginia, this is Travis Lake. It sits 11 miles in from the sea. Bowling Green sits 6.8 miles from the bank. The big place round here is Richmond, 42 miles distant. Within easy reach: Travis Lake after 0.3 miles, Fish Hook Lake roughly 1.4 miles, Madison Pond after 2.2 miles, Lonesome Gulch Pond roughly 3.3 miles and Buzzard Roost Pond after 3.5 miles. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Travis Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Open biodiversity records for Caroline County list tessellated darter, bluegill, shield darter and redbreast sunfish. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Fish Travis Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 35°F and July at about 77°F, the water has a wide range to work through. In milder years the surface never sets. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Plan any trip to Travis Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Travis Lake is 0.3 miles distant. Signs at Travis Lake carry more weight than any list.