Fishing at Lake of the Woods

Largemouth Bass: LOWA Slot Limits

Both LOWA lakes are described as predator-heavy, meaning the bass population is dense relative to the available forage. LOWA manages both lakes with a slot limit approach rather than a simple size limit to balance the bass population and protect quality fish from overharvest.

On the Main Lake, LOWA encourages anglers to remove all bass in the 10-to-14-inch slot — these mid-size fish are dense in the population and their removal benefits the overall health and size structure of the bass fishery. Bass below 10 inches should be released; bass above 14 inches should be released to grow and become quality fish. On Keaton's Lake, the slot is different: remove all bass less than 12 inches. These are LOWA-set voluntary guidelines rather than legally enforced state regulations, but they reflect the association's active management approach to the private lake fishery.

LOWA has installed artificial fish structures at multiple locations in both lakes to improve fish habitat and angling success. GPS coordinates for the structure locations are available on the LOWA website, allowing anglers with chartplotters or fish finders to locate the structures directly.

Additional Fish Species

Beyond largemouth bass, the LOW lakes support healthy populations of yellow perch — an excellent light-tackle and table-fare species that is particularly popular with family anglers. Bluegill and shell cracker (redear sunfish) are present throughout both lakes; LOWA asks anglers to practice catch and release on bluegill and shell cracker to maintain the panfish population. Crappie are present in both lakes and congregate around dock structures and LOWA's installed fish habitat in spring. Catfish round out the species inventory. Forage fish — golden shiners and minnows — are periodically stocked by LOWA to support the predator populations.

Triploid grass carp are periodically stocked in both lakes to control aquatic vegetation. These are sterile fish that will not reproduce; if caught, they should be released. They cannot be harvested.

Keaton's Lake — Quiet Water Fishing

Keaton's Lake is the fishing specialist's choice within LOW. The 24-acre electric-only no-wake lake in Section 13 provides calm water without the powerboat and PWC traffic of the Main Lake. The average depth of 7 feet throughout means consistent structure fishing — the bank transitions, dock pilings, brush piles, and LOWA fish structures are always in the same depth range rather than varying with a seasonal drawdown schedule. Keaton's Run inflow area at the shallowest end of the lake holds bass in spring and crappie staging through March and April. The one boat launch area provides convenient access for fishing-specific aluminum boats and kayaks.

Regulations and Licenses

All LOW anglers are subject to Virginia fishing laws and licensing requirements regardless of the private ownership of the lakes. A valid Virginia fishing license is required to fish in LOWA lakes. Virginia DWR (804-367-1000) is the contact for state fishing regulation questions. LOWA's own slot limit guidelines are in addition to and consistent with state regulations.

Fishing lines must be attended at all times under LOWA regulation. Trotlines are prohibited. Fishing is not permitted at the Front Entrance Pond except during the Annual Children's Fishing Tournament sponsored by the Lake Youth Foundation — a community event held inside LOW.