State record muskie waters. 15-inch walleye minimum. Crappie that stack up.
Burnsville Lake is where West Virginia's state-record muskie came from. 51 pounds, 55.06 inches. Lucas King pulled it from the tailwater in March 2022 on a 6-inch glide bait cast from shore. But Burnsville was producing long before that record. Crappie anglers have been filling coolers here for decades - 40 to 60 fish evenings around the brush piles. Fish in the morning, explore Civil War history at Bulltown Historical Area in the afternoon, then camp overnight at one of 200+ sites.
Depth: 15-30+ feet | Structure: Deep water near dam, tailwater current breaks, rocky shoreline
"Access: Exit 79, I-79 to Old Route 5 East. 3 miles. Concrete boat ramp, ADA fishing pier."
Depth: 6-20 feet | Structure: Standing timber, brush piles, creek channels, old farm ponds
"Access: Exit 67, I-79 to Route 19 North. 13 miles. Boat ramp at campground and day-use."
Depth: 10-25 feet | Structure: Rocky points, channel edges, submerged brush piles
"Access: Boat access from either ramp. Work channel edges and points."
Depth: 15-30+ feet
Structure: Deep water near dam, tailwater current breaks, rocky shoreline
Access: Exit 79, I-79 to Old Route 5 East. 3 miles. Concrete boat ramp, ADA fishing pier.
Target Species:
Depth: 6-20 feet
Structure: Standing timber, brush piles, creek channels, old farm ponds
Access: Exit 67, I-79 to Route 19 North. 13 miles. Boat ramp at campground and day-use.
Target Species:
Depth: 10-25 feet
Structure: Rocky points, channel edges, submerged brush piles
Access: Boat access from either ramp. Work channel edges and points.
Target Species:
Marina with pontoon rentals
Multiple ramps available
Launch Fee: $25 pet cleaning fee
Public boat launch with ADA access
Multiple ramps available
Launch Fee: Free
Public boat launch
Multiple ramps available
Launch Fee: Free
Public boat launch
Multiple ramps available
Launch Fee: Free
Recommended
Optional
Recommended
Optional
Recommended
Optional
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
State record fishery - 51 lbs, 55.06" caught March 2022 from tailwater. WV DNR actively stocks muskellunge. Target deep points, channel edges, and tailwater current breaks.
Best Season: Year-round (Fall prime - September-November)
Advanced - heavy tackle required40-60 fish evenings around brush piles. Use side-imaging sonar to mark structure in 8-20 feet. Vertical jig with 1/16 to 1/8 oz jigs tipped with minnows.
Best Season: Year-round (Spring/Fall peak)
Beginner-friendly15-inch minimum specific to Burnsville Lake. Night trolling shallow cranks over 8-12 ft flats. Daytime trolling deep-diving crankbaits along channel edges.
Best Season: Year-round (Night fishing best)
ModerateRainbow and brown trout stocked twice monthly February-April in tailwater below dam ONLY. Not in lake proper. Spinners, small crankbaits, PowerBait.
Best Season: February through May (tailwater only)
Beginner-friendlyChannel cats consistent on cut bait. Flatheads offer trophy potential - 58-lb documented. Night fishing in deep channel bends with large live baits.
Best Season: Year-round (Summer nights best)
Beginner to ModerateBulltown Campground: 200+ sites (134 full hookup with 30/50 amp, water, sewer; 70 electric-only). Showers, restrooms, laundry, dump station. Riffle Run: 60 sites (54 full hookup 50 amp). Reserve at Recreation.gov.
Best Season: Mid-April through November
Easy - family friendlySwimming beach at Bulltown Day Use Area. No lifeguard on duty - swim at your own risk. Calm waters, sandy beach, great for kids. Near boat ramp and picnic areas.
Best Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Easy - family friendlyCivil War history right on the shore. The Battle of Bulltown (October 13, 1863) was the Confederacy's last major offensive in West Virginia. Visitor center with exhibits, 19th century log homes, Cunningham House. Annual Battle of Bulltown reenactment in October.
Best Season: Year-round (visitor center seasonal)
Easy - family friendlyTarget Species:
Techniques:
Crappie move shallow (4-8 ft) around brush as water hits 58-65°F. Bass spawn late April-May in protected coves. Trout stocking peaks Feb-April in tailwater.
Conditions:
Water temperatures 45-70°F. Crappie concentrate. Bass aggressive pre-spawn.
Target Species:
Techniques:
Thermocline forms 15-25 ft. Fish early morning topwater, evening, or night. Catfish feeding peaks after dark. Night trolling shallow cranks for walleye.
Conditions:
Water temps 70-85°F. Fish go deep midday. Night bite is best.
Target Species:
Techniques:
Turnover mid-Sept to Oct. Muskie feed heavily on larger baits - 8-12 inch swimbaits and glide baits. Walleye follow baitfish to shoreline points.
Conditions:
Water temps 70-45°F (declining). Muskie prime time. Bass aggressive on shad.
Target Species:
Techniques:
Lake drawn down to winter pool (776 ft). Fish concentrate in main channel and deep holes. Trout stocking resumes February. Slow vertical jigging for walleye.
Conditions:
Water temps 35-45°F. Fish metabolisms slow. Work baits slowly.
West Virginia fishing license required for all anglers 15 and older. Trout stamp required for tailwater fishing. Available at WV Wild Outdoors.
15-INCH MINIMUM SIZE LIMIT specific to Burnsville Lake. This is stricter than statewide regulations. Daily limit 8 walleye/saugeye.
30-inch minimum size limit. Daily limit 1 fish. Catch-and-release strongly encouraged - these fish take years to reach trophy size. State record fishery.
Trout stocking occurs ONLY in tailwater (Little Kanawha River below dam). Lake proper is NOT stocked with trout. Trout stamp required. Daily limit 6.
Allowed June 15 - August 31 for catfish. Sunrise to sunset only. Limit 4 total catfish.
No horsepower restrictions. No-wake zones near ramps and swimming areas. Life jackets required. Night fishing permitted.
Bulltown Campground reservations at Recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777. Riffle Run is first-come, first-served only - no reservations. Call (304) 853-2583.
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