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Lake Gordonsville (Bowler’s Mill)

Lake Gordonsville, also known as Bowler’s Mill Lake, is one of the many smaller impoundments throughout Virginia that harbor excellent warm water fish populations. The Louisa County Parks and Recreation Department administers this 75-acre lake, which is loaded with largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed sunfish. Channel catfish are also being stocked on a regular basis. A gravel ramp is available and shore fishing access is good. There are no boat rentals or other facilities.

Maps & Directions

From I-64 approximately 14 miles east of the City of Charlottesville, take Route 15 north approximately nine miles to Route 603, then left to the lake.
Map

Fishing

Bass

best bet

Catfish

present

Trout

no

Panfish

present

Historically, the fishery in Lake Gordonsville has consisted of the traditional selection of largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, and channel catfish. In recent years, the bass population has improved and is now as good as ever. Recent samples yielded bass up to 23 inches, and more than 10% of the bass collected exceeded 20 inches in length. Abundant weed beds along the shoreline during late-spring, summer, and early fall provide a great place for anglers to target bass. The bluegill population is usually difficult to survey due to the abundance of this vegetation. But, some bluegill in our collections exceeded 8 inches in length. A few redear sunfish in the 8-inch range were collected too. Crappie are typically abundant, and though you won’t catch many trophies, there is a plentiful supply of eating-size fish. Channel catfish, which do not generally reproduce well in small lakes such as this, are stocked annually to maintain a healthy fishery. This is a very popular place to fish on weekends during the peak of fishing season, so you may want to try it on a weekday if you can.

Biologist Reports

Regulations

There are no special fishing regulations on Lake Gordonsville. Statewide creel limits apply:

  • Largemouth Bass – 5 per day, no length limit
  • Sunfish – There is no size limit for sunfish (bluegill, redear etc.). Anglers can harvest 50 sunfish (combined) per day.
  • Catfish – There is no size limit for catfish. Anglers can harvest 20 per day.
  • Crappie – There is no size limit on black crappie. Anglers can harvest 25 crappie per day.
  • Gas motors are not permitted
  • Fishing is allowed from sunrise to sunset

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

A boat ramp and gravel parking area are the only facilities.

More Information

A permit is required to fish, and can be obtained from the Louisa County Treasurer’s Office (540) 967-3435. For general information please call (540) 967-0401.