Smith Mountain Lake Boat Ramps & Launch Sites

Smith Mountain Lake — known as the "Jewel of the Blue Ridge" — is a 20,600-acre reservoir nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia. Created in 1966 by Appalachian Power Company's Smith Mountain Dam on the Roanoke River, the lake stretches across Bedford, Franklin, and Pittsylvania counties with 500 miles of heavily developed shoreline. Smith Mountain Lake is Virginia's second-largest body of fresh water and one of the most popular recreational lakes on the East Coast.

The lake's setting is its greatest asset — surrounded by the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the views from the water are stunning in every season, with fall foliage drawing visitors from across the mid-Atlantic. The communities of Moneta, Huddleston, Hardy, and Penhook ring the shoreline, supporting a thriving tourism economy built around boating, fishing, and lakeside living. The lake is within easy reach of Roanoke, Lynchburg, and the Roanoke Valley, making it a popular weekend destination for millions of Virginians.

Smith Mountain Lake's deep, clear water creates an exceptional multi-species fishery. The lake is best known for its landlocked striped bass population, which has produced fish exceeding 40 pounds. Largemouth and smallmouth bass provide excellent fishing in the shallower arms and along rocky shoreline, while crappie and catfish offer year-round opportunities. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources actively manages the fishery through stocking programs and habitat improvement. Public boat ramps are maintained by Appalachian Power, Virginia DGIF, and local counties, providing access points distributed around the lake's perimeter. Whether you're trolling for trophy stripers in the main channel or casting for largemouth in a quiet cove, Smith Mountain Lake delivers a premier Virginia fishing experience.