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This 20,300-acre reservoir is 34 miles long and has 350 miles of shoreline. Lake Gaston was built for flood control, hydroelectric power and recreational enjoyment, including activities such as fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing and wakeboarding. Lake Gaston is fed by water from Kerr Lake upstream, and supplies water to Roanoke Rapids Lake downstream, a smaller predecessor to Lake Gaston. Part of the lake is in the North Carolina counties of Halifax, Northampton, and Warren. The part extending into Virginia lies in Brunswick and Mecklenburg counties.
Lake Gaston has an excellent largemouth bass population. Many anglers like to fish the aquatic vegetation for largemouth bass. Boat docks also are likely places to catch largemouth bass. Striped bass, which are stocked by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, continue to produce a number of quality-sized fish. Striper fishing in the tail waters below Kerr Dam is an annual event. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) annually stock walleyes, and the best fishing is usually in the upper end during February and March. Lake Gaston also contains channel catfish, blue catfish, chain pickerel, and bluegill.
Before leaving Lake Gaston, boat owners should make sure that their boat, motor, and trailer do not have hydrilla on them. This will decrease the likelihood of spreading this exotic plant to other water bodies.
Web Links For Additional Information:
Virginia Fishing Regulations (Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries)
North Carolina Fishing Regulations (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission)
Interactive Lake Gaston Map (Boat Ramps, Marinas, Buoys, Creeks, Camping)
