Description
Note: This site is viewable only by boat.
Lakes Cohoon and Meade are reservoirs in the City of Suffolk, owned by the City of Portsmouth. Both 510-acre Lake Cohoon and 512-acre Lake Meade are accessible at the Lake Cohoon-Meade Fishing Station where boat and motor rentals are available. Day passes are also available for persons without Annual Permits. A permit (daily or annual) from the City of Portsmouth is required for fishing or boating out on their lakes.
During summer, both lakes offer riparian edges and weedy banks that are havens for sunbathing dragon- and damselflies. Both reservoirs provide mudflats that attract a variety of shorebirds, such as breeding green heron, migrating greater yellowlegs, and spotted sandpiper. The woodland edges and the surrounding forests support opportunities to view many migrating and nesting passerines. Wintering shorebirds and waterfowl can also be plentiful at the lakes.
These lakes serve as popular destinations for anglers in search of largemouth bass, crappie, chain pickerel, and redear sunfish.
Wildlife Sightings
70 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Lake Cohoon and Lake Meade:
- Wild Turkey
- Mourning Dove
- Great Blue Heron
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Acadian Flycatcher
- Tufted Titmouse
- Carolina Wren
- Wood Thrush
- American Robin
- House Finch
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Jun 2026 | 13 | Kelly Creger |
| 26 Dec 2025 | 1 | Phillip Salzinger |
| 17 Dec 2025 | 9 | Debbie Price |
| 11 Dec 2025 | 11 | Rodney Bland |
| 25 Nov 2025 | 8 | Jean Cowan |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
Accessibility Considerations
This location does not have a Birdability Site Review available at this time
Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces
Maps & Directions
Physical Address (Lake Cohoon-Meade Fishing Station): 1805 Pitchkettle Road, Portsmouth, VA 23701
From US-58 in Suffolk, exit CR 604/ Pitchkettle Rd. Turn right onto Pitchkettle Rd. and continue 0.8 miles to the Cohoon-Meade Fishing Station on left.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Fee, Daily, Sunrise to Sunset
Contact Information:
- Lake Cohoon-Meade Fishing Station: 757-397-4215
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.