Lake Moomaw is a reservoir in Virginia, near Bath County.
Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.
Lake Moomaw is a 2,530-acre mountain reservoir in Bath and Alleghany counties with a maximum depth around 150 feet and an average depth near 80 feet. The lake is surrounded by Gathright Wildlife Management Area and national forest, so shoreline development is minimal.
Gathright Dam has a nine-level intake tower that can release water from different depths. The Corps uses that system to manage downstream Jackson River temperatures while preserving coldwater habitat in the reservoir. That operation can leave tens of thousands of acre-feet of suitable summer trout water.
Brown and rainbow trout are one of Moomaw's signature fisheries. Trolling spoons, plugs and live bait at controlled depths is a practical approach, especially after stratification develops.
Rocky points, submerged timber and creek mouths are good bass targets. Jerkbaits, tubes, jigs and finesse worms fit the clear mountain water.
Crappie respond to minnows and jigs around timber. Chain pickerel use shallow cover and can be caught with jerkbaits and spinnerbaits. Bluegill and other sunfish provide a reliable shallow-water option.
Use depth as the main variable. For trout, find the thermocline and bait. For bass, work rocky points and timber. Moomaw is one of the Virginia lakes where the water-column profile matters more than simply choosing a shoreline.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.