Stonehouse Lake is a 41-acre impoundment located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Amherst County. This is one of three public reservoirs owned by the County and offers good fishing opportunities. The water in this reservoir is more fertile than the two neighboring lakes which contributes to lower water clarity but increased fish production.
The various facilities include picnic tables with shelters, grills, restroom, and play area. This lake has a good boat ramp for boat anglers but has limited bank fishing access. The lake is open year round but nighttime activities are prohibited except for fishing. Anglers are required to obtain a permit from the county to fish at night. Boats propelled by oar or electric motor are welcome but outboard motor use is prohibited. The reservoir was impounded in 1977 and contains largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and black crappie.
Maps & Directions
To access this reservoir, turn northeast on Rt. 610 from Rt. 60 (approximately 9 miles west of Amherst), then turn left on Rt. 625, and the lake access road will be the first road on the left.
Map
Fishing
Stonehouse Lake is managed to provide a fishery that consistently provides trophy bass opportunities. Unlike the two neighboring lakes, Mill Creek and Thrasher Lakes, Stonehouse Lake has a higher percent of larger bass with fewer mid-size bass. This management strategy is to provide bass fishing diversity and options for all bass anglers as opposed to having all three lakes with similar composition. Larger bass are generally more difficult to catch so catch rates from this lake may be lower for many anglers but the potential for catching a lunker is very good. Stonehouse is shallower, more fertile, and has a higher abundance of forage than Mill Creek and Thrasher Lakes which can also make fishing more challenging. The lake also supports a very good sunfish fishery for both numbers and sizes. Most years, Stonehouse provides good crappie opportunities.
Largemouth Bass
This small reservoir is one of the most productive largemouth bass fisheries in the region and consistently ranks as one of the better producers of trophy size largemouth bass each year. While the lake has good numbers of all sizes, the lake supports a good population of 3-8 pound largemouth bass. The fishery is regulated with a 14-22 inch protective slot limit to protect the large bass this lake routinely produces. Anglers are encouraged to harvest bass under the slot limit to prevent overcrowding and maintain good bass growth rates.
Crappie
The crappie population is more stable than most small reservoirs in the area, but reproduction is inconsistent resulting in a fluctuating population. The fishery is regulated with a 9-inch minimum size limit to prevent overharvest of small crappie. While the size limit cannot make up for limited reproduction, it has provided some stabilization for the fishery and provides a quality fishery most years for crappie up to 10 inches.
Sunfish
The sunfish population is dominated by bluegill, but contains good redear sunfish as well. Bluegill are abundant with good numbers from 5-8 inches. Redear sunfish compliment the bluegill with most fish 7-9 inches. Because Stonehouse Lake has high numbers and good sizes of both bluegill and redear sunfish, it is one of the better sunfish lakes in the region.
Catfish
There are no or very few catfish in Stonehouse Lake.
See the most recent Biologist Report below for more details and fish population trends.
Biologist Reports
Regulations
Largemouth bass: 5 fish creel limit, 14-22 inch protected slot limit, all bass caught between 14 and 22 inches must be immediately released
Crappie: 25 fish creel limit, 9 inch minimum size limit
Sunfish: 50 fish creel limit, no size limit
Facilities, Amenities, and Nearby Attractions
The various facilities include picnic tables with shelters, grills, restroom, and play area. This lake has a good boat ramp but there is very limited bank fishing access.
To access this reservoir, turn northeast on Rt. 610 from Rt. 60 (approximately 9 miles west of Amherst), then turn left on Rt. 625, and the lake access road will be the first road on the left. Permits for night fishing are available through Amherst County at 434-946-9371.
More Information
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Regional Office
1132 Thomas Jefferson Road
Forest, VA 24551
Phone: 434 -525-7522
Night Fishing Permit
Amherst County Recreation and Parks Department
434-946-9371