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Claytor Lake

Lake fishing  Virginia · 07:05 - 19:31

Claytor Lake is a lake in Virginia. The main target species are Bluegill, White Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

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Good 62% The bite right now
Top bet: Bluegill Active through the day, water near its preferred 24 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
79%
87°
Thu
84%
87°
Best day
Fri
82%
78°
Sat
84%
78°
Sun
73%
84°
Mon
77%
82°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Clear sky
Water temp (est.)
74°F
Air temp
81°F
Wind
8 mph
Pressure
30.24 inHg ↑ rising
Clouds
2.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 06:20–08:20 Day 08:20–18:16 Dusk 18:16–20:16

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waxing crescent 14% lit
Major period 15:33–17:33 Major period 03:33–05:33 Minor period 10:52–12:22 Minor period 20:44–22:14

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

17:00
81°
18:00
80°
19:00
76°
20:00
71°
21:00
69°
22:00
67°
23:00
66°
00:00
65°
01:00
64°
02:00
63°
03:00
62°
04:00
61°

Likely catch now (12 species)

Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
62%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 24 degrees.
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White Bass
Morone chrysops
59%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 24 degrees, bright sky slows things.
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Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
49%
Water near its preferred 24 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
45%
Water near its preferred 24 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
31%
Water near its preferred 24 degrees, bright sky slows things.
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Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
25%
Peak season, bright sky slows things.
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About the fishing here

The usual catches here are Bluegill, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass and Rainbow Trout.

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a float bait for bluegill, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for bluegill at the day. Fish hard now.
Lure Float bait for bluegill: Worm under a float.
Colour Clear water and good light: try natural bait, small earth tones for bluegill.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

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About this water

Claytor Lake in Pulaski County, Virginia, is a 4,472-acre (1,810 ha), 21-mile-long (34 km) reservoir on the New River, created for an Appalachian Power Company (APC) hydroelectric project. It is named for William Graham Claytor, Sr. (1886–1971) of Roanoke, Virginia, a vice president of APC who had supervised the construction of the Claytor Dam, which created the lake.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Philpott Lake Virginia · 35.5 mi away Moncove Lake West Virginia · 44.7 mi away Reservoir Number 3 Virginia · 53.0 mi away Burton Lake Virginia · 63.4 mi away Abbott Lake Virginia · 65.3 mi away Leesville Lake Virginia · 66.4 mi away Wingrove Branch Dam Number Two West Virginia · 68.3 mi away Salem Lake North Carolina · 69.3 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Claytor Lake?

Popular catches here include Bluegill, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Black Crappie.

Do you need a fishing license at Claytor Lake?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Claytor Lake?

For Bluegill, the fishing tends to peak around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Claytor Lake right now?

Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 31%.