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Hunting Run Reservoir

Hunting Run Reservoir is a 420-acre water supply reservoir owned and operated by Spotsylvania County. The lake was stocked by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and opened to fishing by Spotsylvania County in fall 2007. There is one access point near the upper end of the lake off Ely’s Ford Road. The lake has an excellent largemouth bass population that is currently “bass heavy” or “predator heavy”.

Anglers need an access pass to fish on the reservoir. Season passes for Hunting Run Reservoir are only $8 for anglers from Spotsylvania, $10 for Fredericksburg and Stafford. Daily passes are also available and cost $3 for Spotsylvania, $5 for Fredericksburg and Stafford and $7 for all others, respectively. Combination season access to both Ni and Hunting Run costs $15 for Spotsylvania, and $18 for Fredericksburg and Stafford, and $25 for all others (and allows access to both Hunting Run and Ni River Reservoirs in Spotsylvania County). Senior citizens over age 62 have free access, and children under 16 have free access. Boat rentals are $6 an hour with a minimum of three hours and can be rented for up to eight hours. If using your own boat, it must have an electric motor, gas motors are allowed on boats but have to be raised out of the water or the fuel line disconnected. Gas motors are prohibited from operation unless engaged in official duties.

Maps & Directions

Access is located off Elys Ford Road (Route 610) about 2.1 miles north of Route 3 (on the right-hand side if traveling towards Ely’s Ford from Route 3).

Map

Fishing

Bass

present

Catfish

present

Trout

no

Panfish

present

Hunting Run is best known as a premier largemouth bass fishery. Target them along the rugged bathymetry of the lake and around the ample brush piles and standing timber left by consultants during construction.

The lake also has good populations of channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish. Other species documented include green sunfish, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed sunfish, redbreast sunfish and chain pickerel.

Biologist Reports

Regulations

State regulations apply for all species.

Anglers are also encouraged to keep black crappie (25 per day, no length limit).

News

Daily passes are also available and cost $3 to $7, respectively depending on residency. Season access to both Ni and Hunting Run costs $15 for Spotsylvania, $18 for Fredericksburg, and Stafford and $25 for all others. Senior citizens over age 62 have free access, and children under 16 have free access. Boat rentals are $6/hour with a minimum of three hours and can be rented for up to eight hours. If using your own boat, it must have an electric motor, gas motors are allowed on boats but have to be raised out of the water or the fuel line disconnected. Gas motors are prohibited from operation unless engaged in official duties.

Facilities, Amenities, and Nearby Attractions

Nearby Attractions

Facilities

  • Fee
  • Parking
  • Handicap-Accessible
  • Food Concession
  • Picnic Tables
  • Grills
  • Restrooms

Amenities

  • Hiking Trails
  • Bike Trails
  • Viewing Blinds
  • Observation Platforms
  • Fishing Pier/Platform
  • Boat Ramps
  • Motorboat Access
  • Horsepower Limit
  • Electric Motor Only
  • Paddle Access
  • Camping
  • Primitive Camping Only

Hunting Run Park is a park facility at Hunting Run Reservoir situated on approximately 25 acres. This project consists of a rental fishing facility to include check station, restrooms, picnic shelter, ADA Fishing Pier, access roadway, boat ramp and parking facility.

The boat ramp and bank access area around the boat ramp provide fishing four (4) days per week Thursday-Sunday and Holiday Monday’s during the season (closed Monday–Wednesday), from 6:00 a.m. to dusk or 8:00 p.m., whichever occurs first.
The County’s Department of Parks and Recreation currently provide attendants to monitor activities and sell daily seasonal passes and rent boats and equipment. Permits cost $3-$7 per day or $8-$25 per season depending on residency.

More Information

Local contact information:

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
1320 Belman Road
Fredericksburg, Va 22401
Phone: 540-899-4169 x117
John Odenkirk

and / or

Spotsylvania County Parks and Recreation
Phone: 540-507-7529
Kevin Brooks