Attention Anglers!
There have been some changes to the Fee Fishing Area at Douthat State Park. The lower end of Wilson Creek from the Bath/Alleghany County line downstream to the end of the State Park property will no longer be stocked during the Fee season. This segment of Wilson Creek will be changed to a category “C” stocked trout water October 1 through June 15, and be referred to as Wilson Creek (Lower). In addition, the segment of Wilson Creek upstream of Douthat Lake (within the boundary of the State Park) will be extended. Beginning April 6, 2019, the Fee Fishing Area at Douthat State Park will include Douthat Lake, Wilson Creek upstream of the lake, and Wilson Creek from the base of the Dam downstream to the Bath/Alleghany County line. All other rules and regulations pertaining to the Fee Fishing Area will remain unchanged.
DWR will be collecting angler survey data from the Fee Fishing Area in 2019. All anglers fishing the Fee Area are asked to fill out an angler survey card each day they fish. Survey cards will be handed out when daily permits are purchased at the Camp Store. Completed cards can be deposited in collection bins located at the Camp Store or outside the park office.
Overview
Douthat Lake is located within Douthat State Park. This 50-acre lake is a fee-fishing lake that is stocked with rainbow, brown, and brook trout twice a week during the fee season (from the first Saturday in April through June 15, and from September 15* through October 31). Daily fees are waived when trout stocking is suspended during the summer. In 1995, the daily creel limit for trout was increased from five to six fish. Recent changes in the fee-fishing program have made the area more attractive to families with small children. Douthat Lake was drawn down in 1998 and the upper end was dredged. Two family fishing piers were constructed during drawndown. Fish attractors were installed near the piers in 1999.
A three-mile reach of Wilson Creek was opened to fee fishing in 1993. A special trout fishing area for children has also been established on a section of Wilson Creek just below the dam. In addition to trout, the lake also has very good largemouth bass fishing, and fair sunfish, black crappie, and channel catfish opportunities; it has become an excellent chain pickerel lake, with October being the top month (see Regulations for license requirements, closure dates and limits).
The park offers year-round cabins, campgrounds, swimming, hiking trails, picnicking, a restaurant, boat rentals, water bikes, and a gravel launch ramp. A daily fee-fishing permit is available.
Maps & Directions
From I-64, take exit 27 near Clifton Forge. Turn North onto State Route 629 (highway at exit ramp). Travel north three miles to the park entrance sign and another two miles to the park office.
Map to Douthat Lake Fee Fishing Area:
Fishing
Bass
present
Catfish
present
Trout
best bet
Panfish
best bet
Douthat Lake is located within Douthat State Park. This 50-acre lake is a fee-fishing lake that is stocked with rainbow, brown, and brook trout twice a week during the fee season (from the first Saturday in April through June 15, and from September 15 through October 31). Daily fees are waived when trout stocking is suspended during the summer. In 1995, the daily creel limit for trout was increased from five to six fish. Recent changes in the fee-fishing program have made the area more attractive to families with small children. Douthat Lake was drawn down in 1998 and the upper end was dredged. Two family fishing piers were constructed during drawndown. Fish attractors were installed near the piers in 1999.
A three-mile reach of Wilson Creek was opened to fee fishing in 1993. A special trout fishing area for children has also been established on a section of Wilson Creek just below the dam. In addition to trout, the lake also has very good largemouth bass fishing, and fair sunfish, black crappie, and channel catfish opportunities; it has become an excellent chain pickerel lake, with October being the top month (see Regulations for license requirements, closure dates and limits).
The park offers year-round cabins, campgrounds, swimming, hiking trails, picnicking, a restaurant, boat rentals, water bikes, and a gravel launch ramp. A daily fee-fishing permit is available.
Biologist Reports
Regulations
- Boats are allowed, but no gasoline powered motors can be used.
- Area is closed to fishing 4 days prior to the 1st Saturday in April
Trout
6 fish per day
7 inch minimum size limit
Sunfish
50 fish per day
No minimum size limit
Channel catfish
5 fish per day
20 inch minimum size limit
Largemouth bass
5 fish per day
12 inch minimum size limit
Black crappie
25 fish per day
No minimum size limit
Chain pickerel
5 fish per day
No minimum size limit
License Requirements
- 1st Sat in April – State fishing license and daily fishing permit – 9am-8pm
- April – June 15 – State fishing license and daily fishing permit – 6am – 8pm
- June 16 – Sept. 14 – State fishing license only – 6am – 10pm
- Sept. 15 – Oct. 31 – State fishing license and daily fishing permit – 6am – 7pm
- Nov 1 to 5 days prior to 1st Sat in April – State fishing license and state trout license.
News
An array of fishing opportunities exist at Douthat Lake. Trout are king in this lake, but other species provide hours of family recreation. In order to enhance the warmwater fishery, brush structures were placed near the handicap access piers in 1999. These brush structures attract sunfish and bass, providing good in-shore habitat near the piers. State record chain pickerel and largemouth bass up to 10 pounds have been caught from the clear waters of Douthat Lake. In 2003, 500 adult channel catfish were release to further augment a diverse and growing fishery.
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 ✔
Thirty cabins, 2 lodges, and several tent spots are available. Three picnic areas can be reserved. A restaurant and grocery are open seasonally. Forty miles of hiking trails are open and swimming is allowed in the lake in a designated area. Two handicap access piers are available at the lake.
More Information
For more information, please contact:
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
517 Lee Highway P.O. Box 996
Verona, VA 24482
(540) 248-9360
Department of Conservation & Recreation
Rt. 1, Box 212
Millboro, VA 24460
Phone: 540-862-8100