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Types of Fish
Many citation stripers are caught in Smith Mountain Lake every year. A new state record of 49 pounds 4 ounces was set in 1999 at the Lake, only to be broken in the Spring of 2000 by a 53 pounder caught in Leesville Lake (below the dam).The Smith Mountain Lake Striper Club meets on a monthly basis. Check The Smith Mountain Eagle (the lake's weekly newspaper) for meeting dates and times.
Although famous for its striped bass, Smith Mountain Lake also contains Muskie, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, Catfish, Crappie & many varieties of sunfish.
Equipment
The local bait shops and marinas (see a list at http://www.SMLHomes.com/Boating.html) can advise you as to what type of gear and bait you need. Another suggestion is to spend a day with a guide (see below) and get suggestions from the guide on what is needed for fishing on your own.Licenses
The marinas and bait shops around the Lake sell the required Virginia fishing license.The Virginia Outdoorsman is a great source of information as well as selling licenses.
For more information, contact The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The game warden can be reached at (804) 525-7522. To report boating, fishing or game violations, call (800) 237-5712.
Guides
To Fish On Captain Fred Price (540) 721-4442Captain Dale Wilson/Smith Mountain Lake Guide Services (540) 297-5650
Captain Lewis Ratliff/Lewis' Guide Service (540) 297-7335 or E-Mail to captainlewissml@aol.com
Let's Go Fishing with Mike, Captain Mike Ratliff (540) 296-0754 or E-Mail toletsgofishingSML@aol.com
Outcast Adventures Captain Toby Tester (540)354-7869
Spike's Prime Time Fishin (540) 297-5611
For those of you who can't get enough fishing news, one of the more comprehensive sites on the web is The Fish Ticker.
