Cheat Lake is the recreation centerpiece of the Morgantown area – a 13-mile-long reservoir on the Cheat River just east of the city, lined with homes, marinas and parks and busy all summer with boaters, anglers and WVU students. Once badly damaged by acid mine drainage, the lake has rebounded into a healthy, productive fishery for muskie, bass and walleye, and it’s now one of north-central West Virginia’s favorite playgrounds.
This guide covers Cheat Lake: the fishing, the boating and parks, and access. It’s part of our growing West Virginia Lakes Database.
Cheat Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~1,730 acres; about 13 miles long
- Location: Monongalia County, north-central West Virginia (east of Morgantown)
- Built: Lake Lynn Dam on the Cheat River, completed 1926 (hydropower)
- Top fish: muskie, largemouth & smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, channel catfish, bluegill
A lake that came back
Cheat Lake’s story is one of recovery. For decades the Cheat River carried heavy acid mine drainage that left the lake nearly fishless. Sustained cleanup and treatment over the past few decades transformed it: the water quality rebounded, fish returned, and Cheat is now a genuinely good fishery and a thriving recreational lake – a real environmental success story for the region.
Fishing Cheat Lake
The recovered lake offers a strong, varied fishery:
- Muskie – Cheat is a noted muskellunge water, with the long, structure-rich lake holding good fish.
- Largemouth and smallmouth bass on the points, docks and rocky banks.
- Walleye, crappie, channel catfish and bluegill round out the catch.
A West Virginia fishing license is required. The long, narrow lake concentrates fish along the channel, points and the many docks.
Boating, parks and access
Cheat Lake is a busy boating lake, with marinas, public ramps and lakeside dining, plus Cheat Lake Park (with a trail and access) on the Monongalia County side. Its proximity to Morgantown and West Virginia University makes it a popular spot for powerboating, wakeboarding, fishing and lakeside living – the shoreline is well developed with homes and docks. The long, open water suits powerboats while the upper arms stay quieter for anglers and paddlers.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Cheat Lake is just east of Morgantown off I-68, about 1.5 hours south of Pittsburgh. Morgantown – home of WVU – has full services, and the Coopers Rock State Forest, with its famous overlook above the Cheat River canyon, is minutes away.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a West Virginia license is required; note muskie regulations.
- Busy water: the lake gets heavy boat traffic on summer weekends near Morgantown.
- Best seasons: spring and fall for muskie, bass and walleye; summer for boating.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Cheat Lake?
Muskie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, channel catfish and bluegill – the lake has recovered into a strong fishery.
Is Cheat Lake clean now?
Yes – after decades of acid mine drainage, sustained cleanup has restored the water quality and fishery, making Cheat a healthy recreational lake again.
Where is Cheat Lake?
Just east of Morgantown in Monongalia County, north-central West Virginia, off I-68.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in West Virginia, or head back to the West Virginia Lakes Database.
