Boating Access and Fishing Re-opened at Butler Tract Lake
The City of Suffolk re-opened the boating access (ramp) for Butler Tract Lake, located within the Lone Star Lakes Park, on August 3, 2010. Boaters and anglers should be aware of the current low water level in the lake that may make it difficult to launch boats that require a trailer. Please contact the park rangers at 757-255-4032 for additional questions regarding boat access in Lone Star lakes.
The Lone Star Lakes are a series of 12 lakes (some interconnected) varying in size from three to 50 acres. The total acreage is 490. These lakes were excavated for marl and later sold to the City of Suffolk for water supply and a public park. The park contains 1,172 acres and offers picnicking and hiking, as well as an archery range and horseback riding trails. There are two new ramps, one at Butler Tract and the other at Crane Lake, providing boat access to these outstanding fishing waters.
The lakes vary in characteristics. One is brackish, some are dark-stained, while others very clear. Some are deep while others are very shallow. Among the best is Crane Lake, which opens into Chuckatuck Creek.
Maps & Directions
Access Site:Map
Fishing
Bass
present
Catfish
present
Trout
no
Panfish
present
Crane Lake has good populations of striped bass, white perch, largemouth bass, bluegill, white catfish, and spot. Channel catfish were stocked in 1992, and blue catfish from the James River have now moved into the lake via Chuckatuck Creek. Saltwater fish, such as bluefish and flounder, are also found in the lakes at times. The lake also has blue crabs, which makes live bait fishing difficult.
Butler Tract, Crystal, and Annette Lakes are all interconnected. They contain redear sunfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and white perch. Butler Tract, in particular, has a lot of bass–mostly small, but some citations are caught each year. Southern Lake and Lake Wahoo, which are interconnected, contain largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill, and were stocked with channel catfish in 1992. These lakes can be difficult to fish due to the steep shorelines, but they can produce some excellent fishing.
Biologist Reports
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 ✘
All of the lakes have boat ramps. Some are dirt, some paved, some steep, and some shallow. No boats are rented at the lakes, gas motors are prohibited and bank fishing is allowed only in the areas designated at each individual lake. A permit (with a small fee) is required to fish. The entrance to the park containing the lakes is on Route 125 just east of Route 10/32 at Chuckatuck.
More Information
For information call 757-255-4308.