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Smith Mountain Lake is a host to a large variety of water crafts from kayaks and paddleboats to luxury yachts. The mainstays of the lake are bass boats, pontoon boats and personal watercraft (PWC or see-doos).
The Tri County Lake Administrative Commission is an agency set up by Franklin, Bedford and Pittsylvania Counties to maintain the navigational markers on the Lake and to advise the Counties about issues regarding the Lake. You can reach them at (540) 721-4400 to report markers out of service or dangerous debris in the water.
We urge you to learn as much as possible about boating BEFORE you get out on the lake. One web site with very good information is BoatUS.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is phasing in a mandatory boater education law. The required course is offered regularly around the lake and may be taken on line.
Safe Boating!
A fishing license is required and most of the fishing stores and marinas sell them. It can also be purchased on line prior to your visit.
For more information, contact The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The Conservation Police Officers (formerly known as the game wardens) can be reached at (804) 525-7522. To report boating, fishing or game violations, call (800) 237-5712.
Smith Mountain Lake is known for its striper fishing. Many citation stripers are caught here every year. A new state record striper of 49 pounds, 4 ounces was caught here in 1999, only to be broken in the Spring of 2000 by a 53 pound 7 ounce whooper caught in Leesville Lake (below the dam).
Although famous for its striped bass, Smith Mountain Lake also contains Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Muskie, Crappie, Walleye, Catfish and many different varieties of sunfish.
The Bassmasters have held several tournaments here and the Elite Series Blue Ridge Brawl were here April 23-26, 2009 and will be here again in April 15th to 18th 2010.
If you have never fished Smith Mountain Lake, you may want to consider hiring a guide for half a day to "pick their brain"! The following guides we have used or have been recommended to us:
To Fish On Captain Fred Price (540) 721-4442
The Virginia Outdoorsman Owner Mike Snead is a great source of information (540) 721-4867
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
There are handicapped fishing piers at the State Park and at the Franklin County Park. The Smith Mountain Lake State Park is located off Route 626 in Bedford County. The Franklin County Park is at the end of the Park Place community off Parkway Avenue.
For those of you who can't get enough fishing news, one of the more comprehensive sites on the web is The Fish Ticker.
There are several clubs and groups devoted to boating, water sports and fishing around the lake. Please visit our Community Life page for more information.
Several world class water skiers and wakeboarders live and train here year round. A good source of information, equipment and training is Wake N Skate located at Bridgewater Plaza R-28.
There are many commercial places on and around the Lake to assist you with recreational boating & fishing.
Adventures on Houseboats (888) 818-5294
At Bay Roc Marina
Bay Roc Marina R-87 (540) 890-2194
Hardy Ford Bridge, Hardy
Full service marina.
Bayside Marina and Yacht Club R-26 (540) 721-3664
On Becky's Creek - old Shoreline Marina. Now owned by Dale Runyon (in our opinion the best marine mechanic on the lake!). If you stop in, please tell Dale the Bowmans say hello!
Full service marina
Bridgewater Marina and Parasail R-28 (540) 721-1639 or (800) 729-1639
Bridgewater Plaza at the Hales Ford Bridge
Full service marina
Captain's Quarters R-28 (540) 721-1175
Fishing supplies, gas and boat rentals at Hales Ford Bridge.
Central Marine Center (formerly Magnum Point Marina) B-37 (540) 576-2188
Union Hall.
Conrad Brothers Marine Off water (540) 721-5017
Route 122 Next to Capp's in Westlake
Sales.
Crazy Horse Marina B-10 (540) 721-1587
Blackwater Cove
Full service marina, campground, restaurant.
Fox Port Marina and Lodge G-2 (540) 721-2451
Wirtz
Lumpkin's Marina B-1 (434) 927-5150
Penhook
Mitchell's Point Marina C-3 (540) 297-7174
Craddock Creek
Gas, slip rentals, restaurant
Parrot Cove Rentals R-28 (800) 488-4516
All types of rentals including house boats.
Hales Ford Bridge
Parkway Marina(sometimes referred to as Saunders Marina R-6 (540) 297-5420
Near Craddock Creek, just up from the Dam
Full service marina.
Pelican Point Yacht Club B-10 (540) 576-2019
Union Hall, Specializes in sail boats.
Smith Mountain Lake Dock & Lodge (434) 927-5100
Between Markers B-1 and R-6
Full service marina, lodging, restaurant.
Smith Mountain Yacht Club R-26 (540) 297-4484
Full service marina.
Sportsman's Marina R-11 (540) 297-2020
Virginia Dare Marina R-20 (540) 297-7100
Restaurant
Webster Marine R-28 (800) 325-9110
Boat sales and service near Hales Ford Bridge.
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