NoVA Lakes/Ponds 2024

onthereel reply :

Any reports on Lakes/Ponds in Arlington County, Falls Church and Alexandria City? Lake Barcroft, Fairview Lake, etc?

Dan: reply :

As far as I know, both Barcroft and Fairview are private so you probably won't see too many reports for either. Shoot me a PM if you are interested in some public lakes in the Burke area.

JCrzy4Bass reply :

Hey onthereel, you have one of the urban fish ponds right in your area. Lake Cook. It is stocked in the winter months with trout but has native largemouth, catfish and sunfish populations. Might wanna check it out. You can find more info about it on the VDGIF website.

Good luck with finding more.

A.Do? reply :

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Hey onthereel, you have one of the urban fish ponds right in your area. Lake Cook. It is stocked in the winter months with trout but has native largemouth, catfish and sunfish populations. Might wanna check it out. You can find more info about it on the VDGIF website.
Good luck with finding more.

I work off Eisenhower at the PTO and have fished this place once. Caught bluegill off a rooster tail. I was trying to get some trout but no luck. One did jump out of the water in my face but they didn't want my lures. They stop stocking it with trout after the colder months and now stock with catfish. You'll see people lined up on the shoreline catching them. When i was fishing for trout there was a father daughter couple that caught their limit of catfish in about 30 minutes.

I haven't heard of any large mouth bass in there but have seen one guy pull up a big carp.

Onthereel, what part of alexandria are you from? I'm also in that area.

Hung up Paul reply :

No way! Andrew, you work at the PTO? I'm in Remsen 1st floor. We should sneak in some night and stock the fountain!

Dan: reply :

I was just google mappin Alexandria and saw Lake Cook, but also a "Ben Brenman Park" a little west of Lake Cook. It has what looks like a lake that is bigger than Cook. Has anyone tried to fish at this lake before?

onthereel reply :

Thanks guys.

Dan, I've been googlin (terrain map) as well. Any blue pots, indicating lakes/ponds, I'm scoping out.

I checked Cook Lake out last year..just didn't seem like the ideal spot...a lot of vegetation, not the kind you would want; thick weeds/stalks from top to bottom. It was hard pulling any lures through, even weedless. Didn't know it had bass though, might check it out again and see what kind of condition it's in now.

Ado, I'm basically at the Franconia / Van Dorn intersection, let me know if you want to meet up

excuse my ignorace, but private is defined as "residence only"? I always seem to miss those signs

Dan: reply :

Yeah, they are for residents only. Barcroft has signs at every parking lot that says it is for residents only. Fairview doesn't have as many signs as I recall, but I am almost positive that it is also residents only.

BTW, I scoped out the Ben Brenman Park today, it looked like a great bass fishing spot (if there are any in there) but there was a sign that said NO FISHING IN THE POND very clearly and there is a Police Satellite Headquarters building right on the lake so I would think any line wetting would be quickly ended.

flippin4it. reply :

I used to have access to Barcroft a couple of years back. I had some great days there, but nothing that I would call large (6+ lbs). Has anyone caught big ones there?

A.Do? reply :

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Ado, I'm basically at the Franconia / Van Dorn intersection, let me know if you want to meet up

I'm near franconia as well. I'll be fishing some ponds today in the afternoon after work. This is going to be my attempt at learning to use a baitcaster. Hopefully i'll be out of work by 1 and then i'm going to Dick's to pick up some stuff for the weekend and fish till dark. Let me know if you're available.

Doesn't Kingstowne Lake look like it holds some BIG fish ? I've always wanted to fish there, too bad there's no fishing signs everywhere.

A.Do? reply :

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No way! Andrew, you work at the PTO? I'm in Remsen 1st floor. We should sneak in some night and stock the fountain!

We really need to get out there and get that first for the season. Maybe some night fishing?

onthereel reply :

"I'm near franconia as well. I'll be fishing some ponds today in the afternoon after work. This is going to be my attempt at learning to use a baitcaster. Hopefully i'll be out of work by 1 and then i'm going to Dick's to pick up some stuff for the weekend and fish till dark. Let me know if you're available.

Doesn't Kingstowne Lake look like it holds some BIG fish ? I've always wanted to fish there, too bad there's no fishing signs everywhere."

I'm down... you have a PM.

Kingstowne has a no fishing sign, it went up a few years back, but heard stories of big bass being hauled out of it. That lake is a short walk from my house.

rondef reply :

If I were you I would not fish a lake or pond that has no fishing signs posted, just my opinion.

flippin4it. reply :

I would!

SimonSays reply :

We'd ninja our way in =P

flippin4it. reply :

I don't think I would look to good in ninja jammies.........

A.Do? reply :

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If I were you I would not fish a lake or pond that has no fishing signs posted, just my opinion.

I'd agree that that probably wouldn't be the best idea either.

Rob, you never know until you try!

Nick Schooley reply :

Hey Guys, I new to this message board, I am glad I found this site. So here is the question I have been dying to ask, where are some good places to fish in the Manassas/Warrenton aera. I am looking for a nice bass hole and a place to do some catfishing. and possibly somthing that is open after dark would be nice.... just dont say Brittle or I will pull my hair out, that place seems to be no good without a boat and then it is marginal at best. also for those who live in the Manassas aera I have found a pond but I am not sure if it is legal to fish there, P.M. me and I can show you where it is and we might be able to figure it out.

Trevor in Burke reply :

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If I were you I would not fish a lake or pond that has no fishing signs posted, just my opinion.

Rob, you never know until you try!

ha i'd pay to see that!

some of the best fishing is right to the signs that say no fishing :-X

live on the edge 8-)

stinkysdaddy reply :

I fished kingstowne before it was kingstowne when I was a kid and there are lots of big bass. Sucks that you can't fish it anymore..

Chai reply :

wow, sounds like i need to hit this pond up! and when cops come just say " what signs?" :-?

A.Do? reply :

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wow, sounds like i need to hit this pond up! and when cops come just say " what signs?" :-?

the HUGE no fishing signs every 5 ft all around the whole lake.

SimonSays reply :

-------->

okrod reply :

I'm heading out early tomorrow and looking for a place to catch good size fish, not fight too much vegetation, has some cover from the heat, and not get hauled off by the police. It sounds like everyone is knocking down Barcroft, Cook, and Fairview for multiple reasons.

Any other suggestions?

knownfactor reply :

Before i go hunting this week for new spots, anyone have any info on the spots ive circled in chantilly

A.Do? reply :

Wow knownfactor, those are alot of spots ....I'd suggest trying all of them for a bit, with the exception of the golf course unless you have permission. When are you planning to do this hunting? Would you mind company?

HokieDJ reply :

I tried out the small Brookfield one and lots of blue gills and there's a big gold fish in there The bigger pond, I don't think you can access it because it's behind the Fairfax county parks building. I believe it said no un-authorized people allow and it had a gate around the facility.

If you look, there's another pond on Old Lee Road on the right side. I tried there for a few minutes but didn't get a bite.

Tell me how the rest go. I've lost faith in ponds around there because most are low or hold small fish. I've only seen golf course ponds do well for me. It's too bad because I live around that area and would love to fish close by on a week night.

Oh and 1 last thing, use Mapquest.com. They have updated pictures compared to google. I use google to scan and then mapquest for a better updated pic.

rondef reply :

Most of these ponds sit on government contractor sites and therefore do not allow fishing. A few of them do allow fishing and they have some nice lmbs in them as I have already caught some nice size lmbs (2-4 pounds). One of the ponds also sits at the Ford Motors training facility and they have a gaurd watching the pond and he will run you off if you get any where near it.

knownfactor reply :

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Most of these ponds sit on government contractor sites and therefore do not allow fishing. A few of them do allow fishing and they have some nice lmbs in them as I have already caught some nice size lmbs (2-4 pounds). One of the ponds also sits at the Ford Motors training facility and they have a gaurd watching the pond and he will run you off if you get any where near it.

Can you tell me which ones are gov sites? so i dont waste my time ;D

i was mainly looking at the one at westfields/stonecroft and stonecroft/lee intersections.

TheRushFactor reply :

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I tried out the small Brookfield one and lots of blue gills and there's a big gold fish in there The bigger pond, I don't think you can access it because it's behind the Fairfax county parks building. I believe it said no un-authorized people allow and it had a gate around the facility.
If you look, there's another pond on Old Lee Road on the right side. I tried there for a few minutes but didn't get a bite.

Tell me how the rest go. I've lost faith in ponds around there because most are low or hold small fish. I've only seen golf course ponds do well for me. It's too bad because I live around that area and would love to fish close by on a week night.

Oh and 1 last thing, use Mapquest.com. They have updated pictures compared to google. I use google to scan and then mapquest for a better updated pic.

When did you go to the Brookfield pond? I was just there on Sunday...

JCrzy4Bass reply :

Does anyone know if there are any lenient golf courses around here that allow fishing on the property if you ask politely and so forth? In "around here" I mean Woodbridge for me. Belmont Bay, Montclair, Lake Ridge, and or courses around Lorton and Fairfax? If so can you guys pm me details? I'm tired of catching 2-3 lbers (yes I know I can find 4-5 lbers in local lakes).

flippin4it. reply :

There is no need to go to a golf course pond. You go to the right locations. Throw a big fish bait. Like a jig or Spro frog. Senkos produce but a lot of lil' ones. A 1/2 jig backed with a stout set up will catch larger fish. Try it a Foutianhead tommorow. Throw it in the thickest stuff you can find.

onthereel reply :

I was actually at Pleasant Valley, but not fishing...was playing golf. Of course I had my eye on the ponds. None of them looked like they would hold any bass, let alone fish...no bait fish, shallow and very sludgy, etc.

Good luck in your hunt

knownfactor reply :

I hit up lake audubon last night with a buddy and the top water bit is killin it there right now, both times ive gone in the past couple weeks we've probably caught 30 fish on top water from 7pm-dark. just sucks 90% of them were 1lb and smaller :-/

Leegan reply :

Are Lake Audubon and Lake Thoreau private or public lakes?

Thanks

rondef reply :

Private lakes, you need to know someone

knownfactor reply :

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Private lakes, you need to know someone

and if you know someone, swimming in there seems pretty cool to, the water was really warm....

eddieinva reply :

I'm fairly new to fishing freshwater in this area. I've only done saltwater most of my days.. Today was the first day I've fished in a while, and have caught 7 earlier today around 4pm and another 3 at 7pm at the same pond behind stone ridge.. all in all it was a great start to my first freshwater fishing.. Had no idea it was this much fun! They are however only 5-6" in length.. Would love some recommendations on better lakes/ponds/rivers.. I don't have a boat, so i'm limited to banks.. ;D

onthereel reply :

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I'm fairly new to fishing freshwater in this area. I've only done saltwater most of my days.. Today was the first day I've fished in a while, and have caught 7 earlier today around 4pm and another 3 at 7pm at the same pond behind stone ridge.. all in all it was a great start to my first freshwater fishing.. Had no idea it was this much fun! They are however only 5-6" in length.. Would love some recommendations on better lakes/ponds/rivers.. I don't have a boat, so i'm limited to banks.. ;D

Welcome! Where in NoVA are you? Google maps is a good place to start; use the terrain and satellite view to identify lakes/ponds. You can even post the jpg on here and highlight the body of water in question. Great group of anglers on here who are eager to help. You've come to the right place!

eddieinva reply :

Thanks for the welcome. I live just west of Chantilly, VA. I'm eager to head down to Va. Beach this 4th and hit up the BassPro.. Looking to get a Loomis IMX and a Shimano Sustain FE!!! Been a LONG time since I've bought new gear, and saved up for this little present to myself ;D

I'll be fishing some corporate ponds this week in chantilly..

A.Do? reply :

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Thanks for the welcome. I live just west of Chantilly, VA. I'm eager to head down to Va. Beach this 4th and hit up the BassPro.. Looking to get a Loomis IMX and a Shimano Sustain FE!!! Been a LONG time since I've bought new gear, and saved up for this little present to myself ;D
I'll be fishing some corporate ponds this week in chantilly..

Call ahead to ask BPS if they have your rod. I was looking for a G.loomis and when I got there (the other BPS in arundel mills) they didn't have it :'(

If you're out by stone ridge you should try out beaverdam. It's pretty good from shore, just watch out for ticks.

eddieinva reply :

Yeah I was thinking of going to Beaverdam.. Is it better on the back side or the church side?? Or is there another location that I should maybe try? I was thinking of walking to the concrete part, but i'm not sure if there is a path..

Thx for the heads up on the BPS inventory.. I'll be sure to call ahead to make sure they have everything i'm looking for..

flippin4it. reply :

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Yeah I was thinking of going to Beaverdam.. Is it better on the back side or the church side?? Or is there another location that I should maybe try? I was thinking of walking to the concrete part, but i'm not sure if there is a path..
Thx for the heads up on the BPS inventory.. I'll be sure to call ahead to make sure they have everything i'm looking for..

Give me a shout on the PM's about Beaver dam. Also what beach are you headed to.

eddieinva reply :

Heading down to Virginia Beach for the 4th.. should be a blast to watch the fireworks off the coast, then fish it afterwards

flippin4it. reply :

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Heading down to Virginia Beach for the 4th.. should be a blast to watch the fireworks off the coast, then fish it afterwards

Make sure you swing into Greentop........

AnglerNFuego reply :

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Thanks for the welcome. I live just west of Chantilly, VA. I'm eager to head down to Va. Beach this 4th and hit up the BassPro.. Looking to get a Loomis IMX and a Shimano Sustain FE!!! Been a LONG time since I've bought new gear, and saved up for this little present to myself ;D
I'll be fishing some corporate ponds this week in chantilly..

Hey Eddie, I live in the same area. I'm right off Stringfellow in the Greenbriar neighberhood. I see you also hit the corporate ponds. Shoot me a PM, maybe we can hit some of them up this week.

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