Motts Run Reservoir 2024

osbornj2 reply :

Hey, I was wondering if any of you NoVa guys have ever fished at Motts Run Reservoir? I was reading on the VA DGIF that apparently it has a decent population of Northern Pike and that it doesn't get a lot of pressure (lots of wooded banks and slopes steeply). The Fredericksburg area is about 3.5 - 4 hrs away from my home in Roanoke, so I'd definitely like the 411 before I made a day trip out of it! Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!

flippin4it. reply :

My old service writer had very high praise for Motts, he loved the place and showed me pictures of quality/keeper fish. After explianing to him what a tournement keeper was, he came back the following weekend with pictures that would have been hard to beat. I still have not made my way down there yet, maybe in the spring. I think you have to get some special pass to fish it. PM Sam, he would know.

VolFan reply :

My financee and i fished there on the last day of the season last year (we just moved here from CO), lookng for pke. The bank access is extremely limited, but it's a beautitful lake. We're planning on trying it out a little later this spring with a canoe. You can buy the permit at the lake. I think it was $6/person. You can also rent boats and motors there for a pretty reasonable rate.

VABasser reply :

I used to fish Motts alot when I first moved here because its only 15-20 mins from my house. I had the yearly launch pass and fishing permit (The launch pass was maybe $20-30 and the fishing permit $20 something I think for the whole year. If you just launch once or get the day permit its alot cheaper obviously). As for nice sized bass, theres some very nice ones in there, no doubt about that. I've caught a few decent ones and seen some pictures but the best evidece is when they're up shallow gettin ready for the spawn. The water is much clearer there than alot of the lakes around here so when they're up cruising the shallows you can see them. Man are ther some monsters in there the only problem is catching them. I couldnt get them to bat an eye at my lures, I guess they were to busy with their spawning rituals. After the spawn I dont know where all the nice fish went, there were a number of fishless /few dink days for me the rest of that year. The lake doesnt have alot of shorline cover and the banks are very steep. So successful fishing probably requires a lot of offshore structure fishing, which I've gotten better at but still need to improve. As for pressure the VDGIF site hasnt been updated regarding Motts for awhile. I've seen some days when that little lake is getting hammered, but when is a NoVa body of water not getting pounded? I'm sure that makes fishing more difficult. As for pike, yes they're in there. I think the VA state record was caught from there. I havent tried for them so I can't help you there. Like VolFan said it is a very pretty lake. Would I make a 4 hour drive there, probably not but if you really wanted to go for the pike then go for it. Thats just my .02 cents, hope it helped

osbornj2 reply :

Hey guys...thanks for all the GREAT input! You know..this is the main reason that I joined this site in the first place! You all have been wonderful, and I really appreciate it.

I don't mind at all driving for 4 hours, if: a) it is a beautiful place to visit, regardless of how exceptional the fishing might be or; there is a decent chance of catching nice fish, esp northern pike! If it's scenic, and I get skunked...well, that's ok. Or, if it's ugly, but I catch a bruiser, well, that too is ok! But, if it's pretty AND you have a decent shot at catching quality fish...then count me in!

So, is it easy to get the day pass? Can you just buy it when you arrive, or should I try to get it in advance ? I have a jon boat that I will bring, but I think that I read that you can only use the electric trolling motor, which is fine by me.

Thanks again for all of your input...it really did make a difference to hear from "live", local folks that I feel like I can trust.

VABasser reply :

You can buy the permits at the little shop thing that is at the lake. If you do go then go on a weekday if you can, the weekends around here see the lakes getting pounded. Most people will be beating the bank so if you have a fish finder then locating offshore structure might be rewarding. I've heard of a submerged island somewhere up by the dam end (left after you launch) but have never been able to locate it. The cove on your right, on the far side of it (if your heading back in the cove the side thats on your left) theres a huge submerged beaver dam. Its about in the middle of the cove, 15-20 feet from the shore. I've always seen fish stacked up on that but have thrown the boat at them and never got a hit. I know that bass are caught from there though. You can catch crappie off of it too. Its definitely a pretty lake, but if theres a bunch of other boats on the water it ruins the ambiance a bit. If you do hit it up let us know how it goes

osbornj2 reply :

VA - you 'da man! Thanks again so much for the valuable insight. You know I will post a report if/when I head up there! In fact, I bought one of those new Hummin'bird side-scan sonar units, and my boat is currently at the shop, getting it installed! It should work PERFECT in trying to find that submerged island that you were talking about! If I am able to find the island (or any other pertinent structure), I will try to record the GPS coordinates and can send them to you so you'll always know exactly where it is!

Again...I really do appreciate your willingness to share your info so freely. This is what this Forum is all about...brothers helping brothers find more fish.

Tight Lines,

Jeff

VABasser reply :

Yep no problem

Edit: Oh yeah and one more thing, I dont know when you plan on going but later on in the fishing season (prob in a month or so) the local Fredericksburg paper, the Free Lance Star, publishes fishing reports and one of the places is Motts Run. The reports always sound positve, even if the fishing might not be so good, because they want to encourage people to fish and buy their permits but it offers some insight. To see them just go to fredericksburg.com and look in the Free Lance Star section and go to 'Archives'. Type in 'fishing reports' and you should see them. PM me if you can't find them or have any other questions

osbornj2 reply :

Cool...I'll definitely check it out before I head up there. Tks for the heads-up!

71Rig reply :

Don't mean to hijack your thread but I was just checking out the rules of Motts Run and read the following:

http://www.fredericksburgva.gov/pr/Our_Office/policies/reservoir_policy.asp

10. "Reckless boating or standing in boats will not be tolerated.Any offender shall be apprehended and removed from lake area and subject to the full penalties listed in violation section."

If I have a deck on my boat am I not allowed to stand on it? Any help from the locals would be great.

Thanks.

Tpayneful reply :

You can stand up in a boat and fish on Motts. Nobody bothers you. The secret bait for Motts is summed up in two words........

Silver Buddy

I hate the place but I do know that a lot of tournament money has been won on a 1/2 oz silver version.

VABasser reply :

Yeah like Tpayneful said you can stand up. 'Reckless Boating' haha on an electric only lake. Puttin around at a whoppin 4 mph. LMAO ;D

Wayne P. reply :

The Silver Buddy is the cold water preferred lure for the Ice Breaker tournaments like the one that was held there recently. The gold version of the Silver Buddy has won a few bucks also. I fish it occasionally in the summer also and catch a lot with a finesse worm. The salamanders are a bother sometimes with the worms as they try to mate with them.

Tpayneful reply :

It is electric only but you can launch a Bass Boat but you cannot run the outboard. You have to use your trolling motor or paddle for locomotion!

Wayne P. reply :

Motts will have a lot less pressure since Hunting Run Lake is open.

71Rig reply :

Thanks for the info. Thought that was a little strange but then again you can never tell when the safety police are around.

Might give this a shot this year. If anyone is looking to occupy a back seat shoot me a pm. Have a 14' jon and can run all 3 trolling motors at once and get reckless ;D

VABasser reply :

Oh yeah I had totally forgotten about Hunting Run. Anybody fished it lately, is it open for the season yet?

Wayne P. reply :

Hunting Run opened for fishing this past Saturday. I'm going today.

John J. reply :

Quote
Hunting Run opened for fishing this past Saturday. I'm going today.

Go get em Wayne!

VABasser reply :

Haha me too. First trip out on the boat this year so hopefully theres not too many kinks to work out. If you see two college looking students out in a Lowe aluminum bass boat come up and say hi

Wayne P. reply :

The fishing was slower than I was anticipating at Hunting Run. The water was too warm for the Silver Buddy pattern to be the best. I managed to catch a few though. View report on fishingva.com

Example of catch:

Ldavis reply :

How do you get to Hunting Run from Fredricksburg? Any restrictions? That is a nice fish!!!

Wayne P. reply :

Hunting Run is West of Fredericksburg off of Rt. 3. Take a right at the stoplight where the Civil War battlefield attractions are. It's about 3-4 miles down that road. Check the Spotsylvania County web site for information, there's a bunch of do's and don'ts you need to be aware of. It is a fee lake also.

John J. reply :

Way to slay em wayne! I read your report, good info!

osbornj2 reply :

Great fish, Wayne! She looks fat and healthy. Congrats again, and thanks for being willing to share your insights!

Ldavis reply :

Wayne, thanks for the directions. May have to try it out this spring.

71Rig reply :

Very nice fish and great report. I think I may have to change my plans now I know one impoundment that is going on the short list!

AnglerNFuego reply :

Thanks wayne!

Tpayneful reply :

Take Rt3 West and turn right on Ely's Ford Road.

Dan: reply :

Motts Run and Hunting Run are both right next to my favorite summer smallie wading area, I keep meaning to check both out. Maybe I'll make a stop next time I go wading.

skeletor121 reply :

I am pretty new to bass fishing (did it a bunch of years ago as a kid, but no experience since) so I have a basic question: what is a silver buddy? I have looked around an have not been able to see a picture of it. I'm not sure if I have one in the tackle box yet, and seeing that Motts Run isn't too far away (Hunting doesn't seem far away either) I figure I should have at least one in there. Thanks.

Wayne P. reply :

Silver Buddy

13715

Motts Run Reservoir 2024

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