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Leesville Reservoir

Leesville Reservoir is a 3,400-acre impoundment located near Altavista Virginia. This reservoir straddles the Pittsylvania, Campbell and Bedford County borders. Leesville Reservoir is owned by American Electric Power and is managed primarily for hydroelectric power generation and to pump back stored water into Smith Mountain Lake for additional hydroelectric power generation. There is limited development along the shoreline at this time but residential development is increasing. Facilities are limited primarily to two DWR boat ramps, a picnic facility and fishing pier, and one marina.

This reservoir experiences water level fluctuations of 1 to 10 feet per day. Dramatic water fluctuations are a result of power generation and pump back storage for Smith Mountain Lake. The headwaters of Leesville Reservoir sustains substantial flows and cool water temperatures throughout the year due to discharges from Smith Mountain Lake. As a result, the upper reaches of the reservoir contains limited fish habitat and spawning success due to these dramatic water level and temperature fluctuations.

Largemouth bass are the most sought after species by anglers at Leesville Reservoir. According to DWR electrofishing samples, fish populations vary depending on lake area. The lower half of the reservoir (Leesville dam end) contains bass, catfish and sunfish populations that are similar to other nearby reservoirs. However, the upstream half of the reservoir has a poor fishery dominated by white perch, bluegill, and redbreast sunfish.

Leesville Reservoir can be a pleasant change from most busy reservoirs especially if you are looking for little competition with other anglers and boaters. Keep in mind; frequent water level fluctuations can make patterning fish more difficult. Boaters also need to watch for floating debris that is a routine occurrence on this reservoir.

Maps & Directions

No commercially produced maps are available.

Tri-County marina is located on the North side of the reservoir; from Rt 43 in Leesville, turn onto Route 630, left onto Route 733, and left onto route 834.
Map

Fishing

Largemouth Bass

The largemouth bass population is good with catch rates from DWR sampling rivaling nearby Smith Mountain Lake and Philpott Lake. Most largemouth bass are between 8 and 17 inches but there is a fair number of larger fish up 22 inches. The best largemouth bass population is from about mile marker 8 to the Leesville Dam. High flows, rapidly fluctuating water levels, and cold water releases from Smith Mountain Lake are not conducive for a good largemouth bass population in the upper reaches of the reservoir (Smith Mountain Lake Dam end).

Striped Bass

The current state record striped bass was caught from Leesville Reservoir in 2000. This reservoir does support a good striped bass population and is sustained through stocking. Striped bass may occasionally utilize the cooler water in the upper reaches of the reservoir during the summer months for thermal refuge. However, forage is very limited in this area of the reservoir and most striped bass remain in the downstream half of the reservoir most of the year where forage is more abundant. The striped bass population has historically fluctuated but recently been more consistent due to DWR research and changes in stocking protocol.

Walleye

Leesville Reservoir supports a limited walleye population including a few fish up to six pounds. The best concentrations of walleye are also from approximately mid-lake downstream to the Leesville dam. There is no natural reproduction of walleye so the population is sustained with stockings.

Catfish

There are four catfish species at Leesville Reservoir; channel, blue, flathead and white catfish. Channel and blue catfish are the most abundant.  Channel catfish average 10-24 inches while blue catfish average 12-25 inches. White catfish are smaller, averaging 10-15 inches and flathead catfish are least abundant with most in the 20-36 inch range.

Crappie

Leesville Reservoir has historically had a low crappie population but has recently improved and currently supports a good population. Both black and white crappie are available but black crappie are the dominant crappie species and average 8-11 inches.

White Perch / White Bass / Yellow Perch

White perch are abundant in Leesville Reservoir, provide good fishing opportunities and have no harvest restrictions. There is no longer a white bass fishery at Leesville Reservoir, competition with white perch has reduced numbers to a level that no longer supports a fishery. Yellow perch numbers are also low but anglers do occasionally catch a few.

See the most recent Biologist Report below for more details and fish population trends.

Biologist Reports

Regulations

Black bass

(Largemouth & Smallmouth)

  • 5 fish per day, including the two bass less than 14 inches
  • Two bass less than 14 inches

Other Species

Striped Bass

  • 4 fish per day
  • 20 inch minimum size limit

Crappie

  • 25 fish per day
  • No size limit

Walleye

  • 5 fish per day
  • 18 inch minimum size limit

White Bass

  • 5 fish per day
  • No size limit

Sunfish

  • 50 fish per day
  • No size limit

Catfish

  • 20 fish per day
  • No size limit

White Perch

  • No Creel Limit
  • No size limit

Other Nongame Fish

  • 20 fish per day
  • No size limits

Facilities, Amenities, and Nearby Attractions

Facilities are limited primarily to three boat ramps, two DWR ramps and one marina ramp. The DWR boat ramp located next to the dam can be accessed by taking Rt 29 to Rt 642 and then to Rt 754. Another public boat ramp located near the upstream area of the reservoir and can be accessed by utilizing the following roads: take Rt 799 North off of Rt 40 between Gretna and Union Hall, right onto Rt 605, right onto Rt 608, right onto Rt 768, follow 768 through Pittsville to the boat ramp. Tri-County marina located on the North side of the reservoir can be reached by turning off of Rt 43 in Leesville onto Rt 630, turn left onto Rt 733, and turn left onto Rt 834.

There is a day use area and picnic facility located near the Leesville dam on the Pittsylvania County side near the DWR boat ramp. A  fishing pier was added to this picnic facility during the winter of 2013.

Tri-County Marina
1261 Sunrise Loop
Lynch Station, VA 24571
434-369-5126

More Information

For additional information contact:

DWR
1132 Thomas Jefferson Road
Forest, VA 24551
Phone: (434) 525-7522
Biologist: Dan Wilson