Bluestone Lake is the third-largest lake in West Virginia and one of its most scenic – a 2,000-acre reservoir at the meeting of the New, Bluestone and Greenbrier rivers near Hinton, wrapped in mountains and wildlife management land. Fed by the legendary New River, it’s a warmwater fishery with an unusually rich species list, a state park, and a wild, undeveloped feel that makes it a favorite of anglers, paddlers and birders.
This guide covers Bluestone Lake: the fishing, the state park and wildlife area, and access. It’s part of our growing West Virginia Lakes Database.
Bluestone Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~2,000 acres – the third-largest lake in West Virginia
- Location: Summers County, southern West Virginia (near Hinton)
- Built: Bluestone Dam on the New River, completed 1949 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
- Top fish: smallmouth & largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, crappie, catfish, hybrid striped bass, sauger
Where three rivers meet
Bluestone Lake forms where the New River – one of the oldest rivers on Earth – meets the Bluestone and Greenbrier. That river influence gives the lake an unusually diverse fishery and a constant, current-fed character, and the surrounding Bluestone Wildlife Management Area keeps much of the shoreline wild and undeveloped. The result is a lake that feels more like a slow, broad mountain river than a typical flatwater reservoir.
Fishing Bluestone Lake
Bluestone has one of the most varied fisheries in the state, thanks to the New River:
- Smallmouth bass – excellent, as you’d expect on New River water, along with largemouth in the coves.
- Muskie and walleye – strong populations in the river-fed lake.
- Hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish and even sauger round out a deep species list.
A West Virginia fishing license is required. The upper, river-like reaches are prime for smallmouth, while the lower lake holds the bigger reservoir species.
State park, recreation and wildlife
Bluestone State Park sits on the shore with a campground, cabins, a swimming pool, boat rentals and trails, and the adjoining Bluestone WMA offers hunting, wildlife watching and a remote backcountry feel. The lake is excellent for paddling and quiet boating, and the area connects to Pipestem Resort State Park and the deep Bluestone Gorge – a National Scenic River – just upstream, making this one of southern West Virginia’s richest outdoor corners.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Bluestone Lake is just south of Hinton in Summers County, about 1 hour east of Beckley. Hinton’s historic railroad district, Pipestem Resort State Park, and the New River Gorge country to the north are all close by.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a West Virginia license is required; note muskie and bass regulations.
- Wild shoreline: much of the lake is bordered by the Bluestone WMA – remote and undeveloped.
- Best seasons: spring through fall for smallmouth, muskie and walleye; summer for the state park and paddling.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Bluestone Lake?
Smallmouth and largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish and sauger – one of the most varied fisheries in West Virginia, fed by the New River.
Is there a state park at Bluestone Lake?
Yes – Bluestone State Park has a campground, cabins, a pool, boat rentals and trails, with the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area surrounding much of the lake.
Where is Bluestone Lake?
Just south of Hinton in Summers County, southern West Virginia, about an hour east of Beckley.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in West Virginia, or head back to the West Virginia Lakes Database.
