West Virginia has no large natural lakes – just one tiny natural pond – yet the Mountain State is full of spectacular water. Its lakes are mountain reservoirs, built by the Corps of Engineers and the state in deep valleys and gorges, and they range from the crystal-clear, cliff-lined Summersville Lake to high trout lakes in the spruce forests. This is our running guide to the best lakes in West Virginia; every lake links to a full guide in our West Virginia Lakes Database.
The biggest and most famous
Summersville Lake is the largest and most beautiful – the clear-water “Little Bahamas of the East.” Bluestone Lake (the third-largest) sits where the ancient New River meets the mountains, and Cheat Lake anchors the Morgantown area.
Best lakes for fishing
For muskie, head to Stonecoal Lake and Burnsville Lake. For smallmouth bass, Summersville and Bluestone shine. Stonewall Jackson Lake is a top largemouth lake, and Jennings Randolph offers cold-water trout and walleye. See our fishing in West Virginia guide for more.
Best resort & state-park lakes
Stonewall Jackson Lake has a full resort with a lodge and Arnold Palmer golf; Tygart Lake offers a lakeside lodge and scuba diving; and Beech Fork and North Bend are family state-park favorites.
Best for adventure
Summersville is the adventure capital – scuba diving, cliff jumping, rock climbing and the world-class Gauley River whitewater below its dam. Mount Storm Lake offers year-round bass and windsurfing, and R.D. Bailey Lake is a dramatic gorge lake near the Hatfield-McCoy trails.
Best high-country & trout lakes
For mountain scenery, Spruce Knob Lake is the highest in the state, with stocked trout and dark, starry skies, and Summit Lake is a serene forest trout lake. Don’t miss Trout Pond – the only natural lake in West Virginia.
This guide grows as we add lakes. Browse the full database by Largest Lakes and Small Lakes, or head back to the West Virginia Lakes Database.
