Reservoir · Virginia
Claytor Lake
Location Snapshot
Claytor Lake is a New River impoundment in southwest Virginia with rocky banks, creek arms, points, and open-water reservoir habitat. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, walleye, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, muskellunge, and common carp are the principal supported targets.
Information Only
StrikeTracks does not currently provide a live condition rating for this destination. Destination and fishery information is still available.
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Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Claytor Lake.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Smallmouth bass are primary and established in Claytor Lake. Bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass are common and established, and striped bass and walleye are common and stocked. Black crappie, common carp, muskellunge, and yellow perch are present and established.
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Striped bass
Morone saxatilis
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Stocking information
Striped bass and walleye are stocked in Claytor Lake.
- Stocked
Striped bass
Stocked · Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
- Stocked
Walleye
Stocked · Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Official sources
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Virginia
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
Management Category
Reservoir
Regulation Scope
Claytor Lake.
Regulation Summary
Virginia freshwater fishing regulations apply; confirm current seasons, access, and limits.
Target Species
Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass
Public Access
Public