Morgantown – home of West Virginia University – sits right on the shore of Cheat Lake, so the city has a big reservoir in its backyard, plus several more within an easy drive south and east. This guide rounds up the best lakes near Morgantown, WV, for fishing, boating and camping. Each links to our full lake guide. This page is part of our West Virginia Lakes Database.
Best lakes near Morgantown, by drive time
- Cheat Lake (in Morgantown). A 13-mile-long reservoir right at the edge of the city, Cheat Lake is Morgantown’s home water – great for bass, walleye, boating and lakeside dining, with marinas and ramps minutes from downtown.
- Tygart Lake (~45 min S). A deep, scenic reservoir near Grafton with a state park, lodge, marina and good walleye, bass and catfish fishing beneath a towering dam.
- Stonewall Jackson Lake (~1 hr S). A big central-state reservoir with the upscale Stonewall Resort, a marina and strong muskie, bass and crappie fishing.
- Stonecoal Lake (~1 hr S). A quieter reservoir known among anglers for trophy tiger muskie and largemouth bass.
- Jennings Randolph Lake (~1.25 hr E). A deep, cold border reservoir on the North Branch Potomac, stocked with trout and good for bass and walleye.
What to do on the lakes near Morgantown
For an after-class or after-work outing, nothing beats Cheat Lake right in town – boat, fish or grab a bite lakeside. For a weekend, head south to Tygart Lake or Stonewall Jackson for state-park camping, lodges and marinas, or chase trophy muskie at Stonecoal. To the east, Jennings Randolph offers cold, deep water and stocked trout. A West Virginia fishing license is required (note Maryland’s share of Jennings Randolph).
Frequently asked questions
What lake is Morgantown, WV on?
Morgantown sits on Cheat Lake, a 13-mile-long reservoir on the Cheat River at the eastern edge of the city, popular for boating and bass and walleye fishing.
What is the closest lake to Morgantown?
Cheat Lake is right in Morgantown. The next closest reservoirs are Tygart Lake (about 45 minutes south) and Stonewall Jackson Lake (about an hour south).
Where can you camp on a lake near Morgantown?
Tygart Lake State Park and Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park, both about an hour south, offer lakeside camping, lodges and marinas.
Related: see the largest lakes in West Virginia, the best lakes in West Virginia, or head back to the West Virginia Lakes Database.
