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Lake Cohoon

Lake Cohoon is one of four water supply reservoirs owned by the City of Portsmouth but located in Suffolk. Lake Meade, Lake Kilby, and Speights Run are the other three.

Cohoon (510 acres) offers excellent fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, chain pickerel, bluegill, and redear sunfish. It produces several six-pound chain pickerel each winter and is consistently one of the district’s top producers of big fish. Between 1998 and 2002, 66 trophy chain pickerel were reported, more than any other lake in the district. The lake is also one of the district’s top producers of big crappie. The department stocked walleye in the lake from 1995 through 1998. The success of these stockings is currently being evaluated. Anglers are asked to report any walleye caught in Lake Cohoon to the VDWR Chesapeake office 757-465-6812.

Maps & Directions

Access Site: Map

Fishing

Bass

✔ present

Catfish

✔ present

Trout

✘ no

Panfish

✔ present

Biologist Reports

  • None available at this time.

    • Regulations

    • A permit (daily or annual) from the City of Portsmouth is required for fishing or boat on their lakes.
    • Permits are valid for all four lakes.
    • Daily permits can be purchased at the Cohoon-Meade Fishing Station on Pitchkettle Road (757-397-4215).
    • Applications for annual permits can be obtained at the following places: 1) Cohoon-Meade Fishing Station; 2) Dashiell’s Half-Round Showroom on Holland Road in Suffolk, and 3) Portsmouth Utilities Department on Crawford Street, PortGas motors (up to 9.9 horsepower) are allowed.
    • Bank fishing is limited to the shore at the fishing station, excluding the dam.

    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 ✘

    The Cohoon-Meade Fishing Station (757-397-4215), located on Route 604 (Pitchkettle Road) off Route 58, provides a paved boat ramp, boat rentals, bait, tackle, beverages, and snacks. The concession is open only on weekends during winter months but seven days a week otherwise.

    More Information

    For additional information contact 757-397-4215.