Claytor Lake is a roughly 4,500-acre impoundment of the New River in Pulaski County, southwest Virginia. It is narrow, deep, steep-sided and clear — a mountain reservoir that looks and fishes nothing like the broad, shallow lakes of the Piedmont.
It also has an unusual species mix. Claytor holds striped bass, walleye, smallmouth, largemouth, crappie and white bass, which is a broader gamefish menu than most Virginia lakes offer. The walleye fishery in particular sets it apart.
Quick answer: Fish steep rocky banks, points and the old river channel. Stripers and white bass follow shad in open water; smallmouth hold on rock; walleye relate to points and channel edges and bite best at low light. Spring and fall are the strongest seasons, and Claytor Lake State Park provides the main public access.
Lake Overview
Because Claytor is a New River impoundment, the lake is essentially a flooded river valley. It is long and narrow rather than broad, the banks drop steeply, and the old river channel runs down the middle as the dominant structural feature. Depth arrives quickly — you can be in very deep water a short cast from shore.
That geometry has a practical consequence: vertical presentations matter more here than on a shallow lake. Fish often relate to a depth rather than a shoreline, and a bait that falls straight down beside a bluff covers more relevant water than one dragged across a flat.
The water is generally clear, which argues for natural lure colours, lighter line and longer casts than you would use on a stained lake.
What You Can Catch
| Species | Where to Look | Best Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striped bass | Open water over the channel | Spring, fall | Follow shad; watch for surface activity |
| Walleye | Points, channel edges | Spring, low light | Claytor's distinguishing fishery |
| Smallmouth bass | Steep rock, bluffs, points | Spring, fall | Suits the rocky habitat well |
| Largemouth bass | Coves, wood, docks | April–June | Fewer than smallmouth but present |
| Crappie | Brush, docks, coves | March–April | Good spring fishing |
| White bass | Open water schools | Spring | Fast action when you find them |
| Channel catfish | Flats, channel edges | Summer | Reliable evening target |
Walleye are the reason serious anglers make the drive. They are not easy — they are light-sensitive, they feed at dawn, dusk and after dark, and they hold tight to specific structure. But Claytor is one of the better places in Virginia to target them.
Where to Fish
1. Main-Lake Points
Where a point drops into the channel you get a depth change, current and a natural ambush position. Points are the highest-percentage starting structure for walleye, smallmouth and stripers alike.
2. Bluff Walls and Steep Rock
Classic smallmouth habitat and excellent in summer and winter when fish hold deep. Work baits vertically down the face rather than casting away from it.
3. The Old River Channel
The main highway. Fish move along it and hold where it swings against structure. Stripers and white bass roam above it following bait.
4. The Coves and Creek Arms
Where largemouth and crappie live. These warm first in spring and hold fish shallow through the spawn. Look for wood and brush.
5. The Upper End
More river-influenced, with current and a more stained character. Good in spring when fish move up, and a good bet after rain when the main lake is too clear.
Tactics by Species
Walleye. Fish low light. A jig tipped with a minnow, worked slowly along points and channel edges, is the standard. Trolling crankbaits or worm harnesses covers water when you are searching. Night fishing is genuinely productive here.
Stripers and white bass. Follow the shad. Watch for surface activity and birds, then cast a shad-imitating swimbait or bucktail. When they are down, vertical jigging spoons over the channel works.
Smallmouth. A drop-shot, Ned rig or small jig on rocky structure. Clear water and deep rock call for finesse; fish light line and natural colours.
Crappie. A 1/16 oz jig or live minnow around brush and docks in the coves, best in March and April.
The New River Below the Dam
The tailwater below Claytor Dam is a fishery in its own right, and for some anglers it is the better half of the trip. The New River is famous for smallmouth bass and holds musky, and the moving water below the dam concentrates fish.
The New is also geologically remarkable — it is one of the oldest rivers in North America and, unusually, it flows north. None of which helps you catch fish, but it makes for a good fact on the bank.
Tailwater releases are dangerous. Water levels below a hydroelectric dam can rise quickly and without obvious warning when generation starts. Claytor Dam is operated by Appalachian Power, which publishes release data for the project and updates it every fifteen minutes, along with a downstream forecast that accounts for how long released water takes to reach points below the dam. Check AEP's water levels and flows page before wading anywhere downstream, and leave the water immediately if the level begins to rise.
Season by Season
Spring. The strongest season. Walleye and white bass move up, crappie go shallow, and bass spawn. March through May is the window.
Summer. Fish go deep as the lake stratifies. Focus on bluffs, deep points and the channel, and fish early, late or at night. Recreational traffic increases.
Fall. Excellent. Shad school, stripers and white bass chase them on the surface, and smallmouth feed hard on rock. Fewer boats than summer.
Winter. Slow but productive for quality fish. Vertical presentations on deep structure. Dress for mountain cold — it is meaningfully colder here than in the Piedmont.
Access and the State Park
Claytor Lake State Park on the Pulaski County shoreline is the primary public access. It has a boat launch ramp, an accessible fishing pier in the picnic area reached by a quarter-mile paved walkway, a second accessible fishing platform at the marina, and a full-service marina with slips, fuel, supplies and boat rentals.
Two fee details are worth knowing before you arrive. Day-use parking is charged daily at the park, with self-payment envelopes or a card option when no attendant is on duty. The ramp is free to overnight guests. Separately, the Department of Wildlife Resources runs its own public launch at 4555 Bear Drive, which is not state park property and does not carry the park's daily fee — useful if you are launching and leaving rather than spending the day. Confirm current rates on the Claytor Lake State Park page.
Limits worth knowing
Claytor carries its own rules on two of its headline species. Walleye on Claytor Lake and the New River upstream to Fries Dam run two per day with a protected slot — no walleye between 19 and 28 inches. Landlocked stripers and hybrids run two per day in the aggregate with none under 20 inches from 16 September to 30 June, then four per day with no length limit from 1 July to 15 September. Check the current figures with Virginia DWR.
For bank anglers, the state park shoreline is the most practical option. Expect crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and the occasional smallmouth from shore. As on most steep mountain reservoirs, a boat substantially expands what is available to you.
Local Tips
Fish vertically. Steep banks mean deep water close in. Dropping a bait down a bluff face is usually more effective than casting away from it.
Go at first light for walleye. They are genuinely light-sensitive. The hour before sunrise and the hour after sunset are worth more than the entire middle of the day.
Downsize in clear water. Claytor is clearer than most Virginia lakes. Lighter line and smaller, more natural baits get noticeably more bites.
Plan for the tailwater too. If the lake is slow, the New River below the dam is a strong fallback — provided you have checked the release schedule.
For more Virginia lake fishing, see our Smith Mountain Lake guide and our Kerr Lake guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish are in Claytor Lake?
Claytor Lake holds striped bass, walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and channel catfish. The walleye fishery is what distinguishes Claytor from most other Virginia reservoirs.
Is Claytor Lake good for walleye fishing?
Yes, Claytor is one of the better walleye destinations in Virginia. Walleye relate to main-lake points and channel edges and feed most actively at dawn, dusk and after dark. A jig tipped with a minnow worked slowly along points is the standard approach.
How big is Claytor Lake?
Claytor Lake covers roughly 4,500 acres in Pulaski County, southwest Virginia. It was created by damming the New River, and it is long, narrow and deep with steep rocky banks rather than broad and shallow.
Can you fish below Claytor Dam?
Yes, the New River tailwater below Claytor Dam is a productive fishery for smallmouth bass and musky. However, water levels below a hydroelectric dam can rise rapidly when generation begins, so check the release schedule before wading and leave the water if levels start rising.
Where can you access Claytor Lake?
Claytor Lake State Park on the Pulaski County shoreline is the main public access point, with a boat ramp and shoreline access. Additional public and private launches are located around the lake. Confirm current fees and operating status before your trip.
