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Briery Creek Lake in Prince Edward County is an 845-acre impoundment owned by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and is one of the state’s premier bass fisheries. The damming of Briery Creek and Little Briery Creek created Briery Creek Lake, which opened for public fishing in 1989. Much of the standing timber in this low-lying region was left in place to provide good fish habitat. Officials subsequently stocked the lake with Florida strain largemouth bass as well as crappie, red-ear sunfish, channel catfish, and chain pickerel. Was the Briery Creek Lake venture successful? Well, let’s put it this way: bass in excess of 24 inches long are commonplace here.

Briery Creek Lake boasts not only good fishing but also good access for anglers with and without boats. Although boat fishing is common here, rules prohibit anything more than 10 HP trolling motors. All three fishing piers are handicap accessible. The largest pier is also covered, so anglers can have some break from the sun. Anglers will find a bathroom on site but no other facilities and no boat or canoe rentals. Looking for the perfect place to test your kayak, float tube, or canoe skills? Briery Creek Lake is the place. It’s also a great place to bring kids because eager fish often hit the surface with abandon and the lack of current lessens the threat of falling out of a boat or canoe.

On April 7, 1865, General Robert E. Lee stayed only a stone’s throw from Briery Creek in the town of Farmville as his weary Army of Northern Virginia rested. He’d recently retreated from Petersburg after the loss of the Confederate capital in Richmond, and was eagerly awaiting much-needed supplies. The supply-laden train, however, was captured by Union Cavalry General Phil Sheridan. Lee was surrounded and cut off from resupply. The following day Lee met with Union General Ulysses S. Grant at the home of one Wilbur McLean and worked out and signed preliminary surrender terms. Ironically, McLean had fled Northern Virginia with his family after Confederate General Beauregard had commandeered their home to be his headquarters during the First Battle of Manassas. McLean could fairly say, then, that the Civil War had begun in his front yard and ended in his backyard. A large historical complex at Appomattox Courthouse, where Lee surrendered, is only a 20-minute drive from Briery Creek Lake and well worth the visit.

Crappie are great game fish. Photo by King Montgomery.

Some of the best bass fishing in the state is on Briery Creek Lake. Photo by King Montgomery.

Anglers will see scores of standing trees on Briery Creek Lake. These trees, along with a heavy lily-pad population, provide great cover to the lake’s trophy bass. Photo by Beau Beasley.

Wilbur McLean’s home, site of the signing of the Civil War armistice, is just a short drive from Briery Creek Lake at the Appomattox National Battlefield. Photo by Beau Beasley.

Types of Fish

The predominant species here is largemouth bass, though anglers will also find quite a few sunfish available as well as channel catfish and crappie.

Known Hatches

As with other warm water impoundments, everything is big: Dragonflies, other terrestrials, frogs and small baitfish.

Equipment to Use

Rods:5-9 weight, 8 to 9½ feet in length.

Reels:Mechanical and palm.

Lines:Weight-forward floating matched to rod. Sink tips can be used here also.

Leaders:3X-5X leaders, 9 feet in length.

Wading:Wading from the shore is not much of an option. Fish the area by boat, kayak, or even float tube.

Flies to Use

Surface water flies work well, but don’t be afraid to use big streamers.

BH Goldilox #4-8, Bruce’s Little Bow #2-6, Chocklett’s Disc Slider #1/0, Chocklett’s Gummy Minnow #6, CK Baitfish #1, Claw-Dad #2-6, Clouser Minnow #1/0-6, Cramer’s Jail Bait Minnow #2-4, Finn’s Golden Retriever #6-10, Hansen’s Electric Frog #6, Hickey’s Condor #6-12, Kreelex #2-6, MC2 Crayfish #4-6, Murray’s Lead Eye Hellgrammite #6, Murray’s Marauder #6, Patuxent Special #6-10, San Antonio Worm #4, Shenk’s White Minnow #4-6, Super Patuxent Special #6-10, Trow’s Minnow #2/0-6, Walt’s Popper #2-12.

When to Fish

It can be as late as April before things start to heat up on Briery Creek Lake. By late May and into June, the top water bite is in full swing, and fish won’t be put down here until late November.

Season & Limits

The lake is open all year, and anglers may keep one largemouth bass a day over 24 inches. That said, I am inclined to release everything I catch here.

Nearby Fly Fishing

Those who tire of catching warm water species can get a quick trout fix at North Creek.

Accommodations & Services

The nearby city of Farmville provides plenty of food and lodging options, but anglers will need to come prepared with all of the flies and gear they need.

Rating

Briery Creek Lake is heaven for the largemouth bass angler. I rate Briery Creek Lake a 9 on the basis of the number of trophy largemouth bass this lake produces.