Important Notices for this Waterbody
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| Lake Shenandoah Dam Restoration Update
Background: A flood occurred at Lake Shenandoah. During this event the emergency spillway (north side of dam) was damaged, requiring extensive repair. The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) engineering staff inspected the damage and, due to the severity, were required by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Dam Safety Division to lower the lake approximately 5 feet from full pool to reduce the threat of the dam failing during a high water event. In addition, DCR Dam Safety recently updated hazard assessment criteria for all dams in Virginia. In order to bring the Lake Shenandoah Dam into compliance with dam safety requirements, it was determined that the dam would need to be completely reconstructed. Present Work: The DWR engineering staff have finalized plans to reconstruct the dam and emergency spillway at Lake Shenandoah. On October 10, 2024, the DWR held a community meeting to share information about the construction project. The presentation may be found here. A graphic showing the changes in the lake level may be found here. The new location of the dam (relative to the current location) may be found here. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) may be found here. An anticipated start for construction is Summer of 2025, with an expected completion in December 2026. For question related to this project, please contact John Kirk, Capital Programs Manager, at john.kirk@dwr.virginia.gov. |
Lake Shenandoah is a 36 acre impoundment owned by the Department of Wildlife Resources. The lake is located in Rockingham County near the City of Harrisonburg, providing a unique outdoor experience within an urban setting. Much of the lake is shallow (less than 3 feet) and the maximum depth near the dam is 25 feet. Anglers have the opportunity to catch largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, common carp, channel catfish and musky from Lake Shenandoah.
Throughout its history Lake Shenandoah has had chronic fisheries problems that can be attributed directly to development within the drainage. A public golf course and expanding residential housing have introduced excessive nutrients and sediments to Lake Shenandoah. The result has been severe negative impacts on water quality and habitat.
However, despite these difficulties, the lake is a fantastic choice for introducing novice anglers to the sport of fishing. Lake Shenandoah has excellent bank fishing access, boat ramp, fishing pier, restrooms, bait hut (open seasonally), and wildlife viewing trail.
Lake Shenandoah Pollinator Trail
For those interested in wildlife viewing, the pollinator trail is an excellent place to start. This area of the lake was restored and replanted with native wildflowers and grasses to attract pollinating insects and other wildlife species. The interpretive trail located on the west side of the parking lot provides a safe outdoor experience and serves to educate the public about wildlife and conservation.
The trail is a loop, with a distance of 1.5 miles, running around the perimeter of the lake. Many species of song birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife can be spotted along the way. Check out our interpretive signs to learn more about wildlife, habitat, and our conservation and management practices.
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
Lake Shenandoah lies a few miles east of Harrisonburg in Rockingham County. To get to the lake, take Rt. 33 east out of Harrisonburg, then go south on Rt. 687 to the lake.
Access Site:
Fishing
Bass
best bet
Catfish
present
Trout
no
Panfish
present
Lake Shenandoah Biologist Report 2022
Check out the latest update from our fisheries biologist! Read more…
Largemouth bass
“Fair” with a good size distribution best describes the largemouth bass population of Lake Shenandoah. In the 1970’s and 1980’s the bass population consisted mainly of fish less than 12 inches in length. The 18 inch minimum-size regulation put into effect in 1989 has worked to restructure the bass population. Largemouth can be found in modest numbers, with fish 9-15″ making up the bulk of the fishery. Currently, biologists stock advanced fingerling Largemouth Bass (< 12”) to help improve the overall numbers of bass and to try to reduce the numbers of sunfish to help improve their size structure.
Crappie
Historically, black crappie in Lake Shenandoah have been severely “stunted”. In the past biologists experimented with annual water level drawdowns to concentrate the prey species. The goal was to increase the opportunities for bass to catch and eat the stunted crappie. With less competition, the remaining population of crappie should grow larger. So far data suggests that the sizes of crappie are improving, but the emergency drawdown for dam repairs may alter these results. Biologists deployed numerous habitat structures within the lake to help concentrate fish in the spring. Try casting from the floating fishing pier in the direction of the sunken fish habitat structures, marked by a buoy. We also see them nesting on the breast of the dam during the spring months.
Sunfish
Bluegill and Red Ear in Lake Shenandoah are also moderately “stunted”. Few fish over 6″ have been collected by biologist in recent years. However, the lake does harbor good numbers of sunfish and anglers can expect high catch rates. Lake Shenandoah is an excellent choice when introducing a novice angler to fishing.
Channel catfish
The Department annually stocks channel catfish fingerlings in the lake and anglers report modest catch rates of 12 –20” cats. Biologists have deployed numerous catfish spawning boxes to help improve the catfish population. After careful monitoring, we’ve documented successful spawning within some of the artificial habitats and captured a small number of wild spawned individuals during electrofishing surveys. However, more monitoring is required to determine if the introduction of spawning boxes had a beneficial impact to the catfish population. Anglers have reported success fishing from the floating fishing pier as well as near the red barn.
Muskellunge
The one bright spot at Lake Shenandoah is the musky fishery. Musky do not naturally reproduce in Lake Shenandoah therefore the Department must stock fingerlings each year. Musky are top predators on the food chain and are never found in large numbers. However, Lake Shenandoah offers anglers a great opportunity to catch a trophy species. Musky are a “cool-water” fish and are active even during the winter months. Musky are caught from the lake every month of the year. Due to the lake’s murky water, anglers should use baits with bright colors and erratic action. If fishing from a boat, target the weed edges located in the main basin of the lake. Try bank fishing from the cliff area and the dam breast targeting fallen trees and logs.
For more information about fishing for Musky: https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/fish/muskellunge/
Biologist Reports
Regulations
Largemouth bass
Only one bass over 18 inches total length may be harvested per day. All bass less than 18 inches long must be released.
Crappie
No Daily Creel Limit.
Bluegill/Sunfish
No Daily Creel Limit.
Channel catfish
5 catfish over 15 inches total length may be harvested per day. All catfish less than 15 inches long must be released.
Muskellunge
Only one musky over 40 inches total length may be harvester per day. All musky less than 40 inches long must be released.
General
Gasoline motors, swimming, wading, ice skating, hunting, trapping, camping, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Fishing is permitted from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. All other activities shall be conducted only during daylight hours. Fishing regulations shall conform to general statewide regulations unless otherwise posted.
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 ✘
Lake Shenandoah has a large gravel parking lot, gravel boat ramp, bait hut (open seasonally) and restrooms. Almost the entire perimeter of the lake is accessible for shoreline angling and excellent for wildlife viewing.
Baits, Boats and Bobbers is the concessionaire at Lake Shenandoah. They sale bait and tackle for fishing, snacks, and also have kayak rentals.
Photos
Biologists have deployed numerous habitat structures within the lake to help concentrate fish in the spring.
The one bright spot at Lake Shenandoah is the musky fishery.
More Information
For more information about Lake Shenandoah contact:
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
517 Lee Highway P.O. Box 996
Verona, VA 24482
(540) 248-9360
For more information about Rockingham County:
Rockingham County Chamber of Commerce
(540) 434-3862