The Largest Lakes in West Virginia (Ranked by Size)

West Virginia has no natural lakes of size – nearly all its big waters are flood-control and power reservoirs built across the mountains. If you’re asking which lakes in West Virginia are the largest, this guide ranks them by surface area, from the 2,790-acre expanse of Summersville Lake down through the great U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs. Each links to our full lake guide. This page is part of our West Virginia Lakes Database.

The largest lakes in West Virginia, ranked

1. Summersville Lake – ~2,790 acres. The largest lake in West Virginia, this clear, deep Nicholas County reservoir is famous for scuba diving, bass and walleye, and dramatic cliff scenery.
2. Stonewall Jackson Lake – ~2,650 acres. A sprawling central-West Virginia reservoir near Weston with a state-park resort, marina and strong muskie, bass and crappie fishing.
3. Bluestone Lake – ~2,040 acres. West Virginia’s third-largest lake, on the New and Bluestone rivers near Hinton, known for muskie, bass, catfish and big-water boating.
4. Tygart Lake – ~1,750 acres. A deep, scenic reservoir near Grafton with a state park, towering dam and good bass, walleye and catfish fishing.
5. Cheat Lake – ~1,730 acres. A long, deep reservoir near Morgantown, popular for boating, bass and walleye close to the city.
6. Sutton Lake – ~1,440 acres. A central-state Corps reservoir near Sutton off I-79, with bass, muskie, crappie and lakeside camping.
7. Mount Storm Lake – ~1,200 acres. A warm-water power-plant lake in the Allegheny highlands, famous for year-round bass fishing and even winter scuba.
8. East Lynn Lake – ~1,005 acres. A quiet Wayne County reservoir with bass, crappie, catfish and a big wildlife management area.
9. Burnsville Lake – ~968 acres. A Braxton County Corps lake off I-79 with muskie, bass, catfish and a state-park campground.
10. Jennings Randolph Lake – ~952 acres. A deep, cold border reservoir on the North Branch Potomac, stocked with trout and holding bass and walleye.

Other large West Virginia reservoirs include Beech Fork Lake (~720 ac), R.D. Bailey Lake (~630 ac), Stonecoal Lake (~550 ac) and Upper Mud River Lake (~306 ac).

West Virginia lake size, at a glance

• Largest overall: Summersville Lake (~2,790 acres).
• Next biggest: Stonewall Jackson (~2,650 ac) and Bluestone (~2,040 ac).
• All man-made: West Virginia’s large lakes are flood-control, water-supply or power reservoirs – the state has no large natural lakes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the largest lake in West Virginia?

Summersville Lake, at about 2,790 acres, is the largest lake in West Virginia. It’s a deep, clear reservoir in Nicholas County known for scuba diving and bass fishing.

Does West Virginia have any natural lakes?

Not of any size – nearly all of West Virginia’s lakes are man-made reservoirs built for flood control, water supply or power. The largest are Summersville, Stonewall Jackson and Bluestone.

What is the deepest lake in West Virginia?

Summersville Lake, which reaches roughly 327 feet, making it both the largest and the deepest lake in the state.

Related: see the deepest lakes in West Virginia, the best lakes in West Virginia, or head back to the West Virginia Lakes Database.

Quick answers about West Virginia lakes

What is the largest lake in West Virginia?

Summersville Lake is the largest lake in West Virginia, covering about 2,700 acres of clear water in the Appalachian mountains – also a famous scuba-diving and rock-climbing spot.

Can you scuba dive at Summersville Lake?

Yes – Summersville Lake’s exceptionally clear water makes it one of the best scuba-diving lakes in the eastern U.S., nicknamed the “Little Bahamas of the East.”