Amelia Lake is a 100-acre impoundment located entirely within Amelia Wildlife Management Area in Amelia County, Virginia. The lake is owned and managed by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. The impoundment is located close enough to Richmond for convenient access to boating and fishing or other recreational activities on the management area.
Amelia Lake is managed to provide a warmwater fishery comprised of largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish. The lake has an abundance of largemouth bass, which results in high catch rates of small fish for anglers. This impoundment is well suited for beginning anglers who are looking for high catch rates, though a low number of trophy bass are present in the lake.
Amelia Lake can be reached by travelling on 360 to State Route 604 North. Once on 604, simply follow the signs to the lake.
Access Permit Requirement
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) requires an Access Permit for visitors to department-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and public fishing lakes, who are age 17 and older, unless they possess a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current Virginia boat registration. Learn more about the Access Permit.
Maps & Directions
16100 Kennons Lane
Amelia, VA 23002
Located between U.S. Rts. 60 and 360, Amelia Lake is about 25 miles southwest of Richmond and 10 miles north of Amelia Courthouse. From U.S.Rt. 360 west of Richmond, go north on Rt. 604; turn left on Rt. 616, then right on Rt. 652. From U.S.Rt. 60 west of Richmond, go south on Rt. 622 at Flat Rock, veer right onto 610, then right on 604, another right onto 616 and right on 652. Stores, which sell bait and some fishing tackle, are located on Rts. 60 and 360.
Fishing
Largemouth Bass
The Amelia Lake largemouth bass population is dominated by high numbers of small fish in the 8-14 inch range. To combat this overcrowded bass population there is no largemouth bass size limit in place at Amelia Lake. Selective angler harvest of smaller fish (10-14 inches) helps to reduce densities and improve the growth of remaining fish. Amelia Lake does provide a limited opportunity at trophy largemouth bass with low numbers of fish up to 24 inches routinely collected from the lake. Anglers will encounter abundant small fish on the lakes extensive flats. Better quality fish can be found on these same flats in the spring around the spawn (April-May) but head for deeper water with fallen trees and standing timber for the remainder of the year.
Sunfish
A crowded largemouth bass population provides the opportunity for trophy sunfish (bluegill and other sunfish) in Amelia Lake. Due to the high numbers of bass preying on the sunfish in the lake, lower than average numbers of sunfish are observed in the lake. Fewer sunfish in the system reduces competition and increases the growth potential of individual fish.
Crappie
Amelia Lake boasts fair numbers of catchable size Black Crappie. Fish up to 12 inches have been collected in recent samples. In recent years, White Crappie have also been stocked in the lake in an effort to improve the fishery.
Channel Catfish
The channel catfish population is maintained by annual stockings with fair numbers of harvestable size fish (>15 inches) present.
Biologist Reports
Regulations
Largemouth bass:
- No size limit
- 5 per day creel limit
Sunfish
- No size limit
- 50 per day creel limit
Crappie
- No size limit
- 25 per day creel limit
Channel catfish
- 15 inches minimum
- 8 per day creel limit
General
- Fishing license required for persons 16 years of age or older.
- Electric motors only. Gasoline motors restricted.
- Waterfowl hunting allowed opening day, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Trapping by permit only.
The following are prohibited on this property:
- Swimming
- Trotlines
- Alcohol
- Littering
- Sailboats
- Jet skis
- No tournaments involving prizes
Hours of use: 24 hours per day
News
Fish Stocking
Fish stocking to supplement existing fisheries is performed on an annual basis. Channel catfish fingerlings are stocked every year at a density of 15 fish per acre.
Fish Habitat
In an effort to provide better fishing opportunities, several hinge trees are felled routinely. In addition, Christmas trees have been sunk each winter since 2004 near the fishing pier and other sites on the lake to provide cover for sunfish and hopefully increase catch rates for Amelia anglers.
Facilities, Amenities, and Nearby Attractions
Amelia Lake has a single lane concrete boat ramp and large graveled parking lot. Another amenity of the Amelia Wildlife Management Area includes three shooting ranges: a 6-station rifle range, a clay-bird shotgun range, and an archery range.
More Information
For more information on Amelia Lake, please contact:
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
107 Foxwood Drive
Farmville, VA 23901
(434) 392-9645
For more information on the Amelia Wildlife Management Area, please contact:
(434) 561-3350