Summersville Lake

Lake fishing West Virginia · 06:26 - 20:33

Summersville Lake is a lake in West Virginia. Anglers here fish mainly for Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass.

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Good 62% The bite right now

Top bet: Bluegill Active through the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow

73%

80°

Mon

76%

76°

Best day

Tue

75%

81°

Wed

71%

75°

Thu

75%

81°

Fri

75%

84°

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

Conditions right now

Weather

Overcast

Water temp (est.)

78°F

Air temp

76°F

Wind

11 mph

Pressure

29.86 inHg ↓ falling

Clouds

92.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-08-01 19:16

Best times today

Dawn 05:41–07:41 Day 07:41–19:18 Dusk 19:18–21:18

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

Feeding times today

Waning gibbous 91% lit

Major period 02:38–04:38 Major period 14:38–16:38 Minor period 21:07–22:37 Minor period 08:39–10:09

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

13:00

76°

14:00

81°

15:00

78°

16:00

78°

17:00

77°

18:00

77°

19:00

74°

20:00

74°

21:00

74°

22:00

73°

23:00

73°

00:00

73°

Likely catch now (15 species)

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

62%

Active through the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees.

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Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

45%

Water near its preferred 26 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

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Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

44%

Water near its preferred 26 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

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Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

42%

Water near its preferred 26 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

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Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

33%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.

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Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

32%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.

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About the fishing here

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Channel Catfish and Blue Catfish.

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.

Colour Low light: try red, yellow and bright tags for bluegill.

Lure Float bait for bluegill: Worm under a float.

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

Summersville Lake is a reservoir located in the US state of West Virginia. The lake is formed by a rock-fill dam on the Gauley River, south of Summersville in Nicholas County. It is the largest lake in West Virginia, with a surface area of 2,700 acres (1,100 ha) and over 60 miles (97 km) of shoreline at the summer pool water level. Its maximum depth is 327 feet (100 m). Part of the northern shore of the lake is managed by the West Virginia State Park system.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

New River West Virginia · 17.1 mi away New River West Virginia · 18.2 mi away New River West Virginia · 18.9 mi away Sutton Lake West Virginia · 30.7 mi away Wingrove Branch Dam Number Two West Virginia · 38.8 mi away Burnsville Lake West Virginia · 41.3 mi away Lake Sherwood West Virginia · 49.2 mi away Moncove Lake West Virginia · 51.5 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Summersville Lake?

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, White Bass and Common Carp.

Do you need a fishing license at Summersville 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 Summersville Lake?

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

What is biting at Summersville Lake right now?

Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 33%.