Bark Camp Lake is a 61-acre lake located in Scott County. It is the oldest Department-owned lake in Southwest Virginia. When construction of the lake was completed in the mid 1950’s, a beautiful lake completely surrounded by forested land was born. Some of the trees surrounding the lake have found their way into the lake and are providing good habitat for fish and good fishing spots for anglers. Clear water and fairly dense stands of aquatic vegetation offer anglers and other “fish watchers” a unique scenario.
A variety of fish species are available for anglers, including largemouth bass, black crappie, several sunfish species, channel catfish, and trout. Most of these fish populations are self-sustaining, meaning that they reproduce in the lake and maintain fishable populations without the need for stocking. Catchable-sized trout are stocked seasonally to provide a bit of angling diversity. Grass carp are also stocked as needed to control aquatic vegetation.
Maps & Directions
Bark Camp is located between Dungannon and Tacoma in northern Scott County. Take Alternate 58 to Tacoma, then Route 706 to Route 822; then U.S. Forest Development Road (FDR) 993 to the lake.
See Boat Access Below.
Maps: Also check your local bait & tackle shop for commercial maps.
Fishing
Bass
best bet
Catfish
present
Trout
best bet
Panfish
best bet
Largemouth bass numbers are about average for small impoundments in Southwest Virginia. The size of bass available is well above average, however. About 18 percent of the adult largemouths exceed 15 inches in total length. Each year biologists collect trophy-sized bass during routine sampling.
Anglers fishing for sunfish will find a great variety. Bluegills are the dominant sunfish species, but redear, pumpkinseed, redbreast sunfish and warmouths are also available in fishable numbers. Black crappie are present, but not very abundant.
Channel catfish and bullheads offer something for those anglers who target catfish. The lake is not known for exceptional catfishing, but some very large channel catfish have been collected in the past. Some of these channel cats were over 30 inches long, so the lake definitely has the potential to produce some trophies.
Many anglers come to Bark Camp Lake to fish for stocked trout. Catchable-sized brown and rainbow trout are stocked periodically from October through May to ensure that there are enough trout in the lake to provide fishing opportunities.
Biologist Reports
Regulations
A Virginia freshwater fishing license is required to fish the lake, and a trout-fishing license is required from October 1 through June 15. Fishing hours are from 5:00 am until one hour after sunset during the trout stocking period.
The lake is within the Clinch Ranger District of the George Washington-Thomas Jefferson National Forest, so a National Forest Stamp is required.
- Gasoline motor use is prohibited
Bass
- 11 to 14-inch slot limit
- 5 fish/day
- All bass between 11 and 14 inches must be released unharmed.
Facilities, Amenities, and Nearby Attractions
Nearby Attractions
Facilities
- Fee ✘
- Parking ✔
- Handicap-Accessible ✔
- Food Concession ✘
- Picnic Tables ✘
- Grills ✘
- Restrooms ✔
Amenities
- Hiking Trails ✔
- Bike Trails ✘
- Viewing Blinds ✘
- Observation Platforms ✘
- Fishing Pier/Platform ✔
- Boat Ramps ✔
- Motorboat Access ✘
- Horsepower Limit ✘
- Electric Motor Only ✔
- Paddle Access ✔
- Camping ✔
- Primitive Camping Only ✘
A boat ramp, restrooms, universally accessible fishing piers and camping are available for anglers and others. Campers should contact the Clinch Ranger District at 276-328-2931.
The U.S. Forest Service charges a parking (access) fee of $3.00.
More Information
For more information contact the Marion DWR office or the U.S. Forest Service, Clinch Ranger District 276-328-2931.