North Bend Lake is a quiet 305-acre lake on the North Fork Hughes River in Ritchie County, paired with North Bend State Park and the famous North Bend Rail Trail. It’s a low-key fishing, paddling and family lake where the real draw is the whole package – a lodge-and-cabin state park, a 72-mile rail-trail through old railroad tunnels, and calm water for bass, muskie and crappie in the rolling hills of west-central West Virginia.
This guide covers North Bend Lake: the fishing, the state park and rail trail, and access. It’s part of our growing West Virginia Lakes Database.
North Bend Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~305 acres on the North Fork Hughes River
- Location: Ritchie County, west-central West Virginia (near Harrisville & Cairo)
- Nearby: North Bend State Park & the North Bend Rail Trail
- Top fish: largemouth bass, muskie, crappie, channel catfish, bluegill
Fishing North Bend Lake
North Bend is a pleasant warmwater fishery: largemouth bass lead the way, with muskie, crappie, channel catfish and bluegill all present. A West Virginia fishing license is required. The quiet, no-wake-friendly water and timbered coves suit bank anglers, kayakers and small fishing boats, and it’s an easy, relaxed place to spend a day with a rod.
North Bend State Park & Rail Trail
The lake’s biggest asset is the surrounding North Bend State Park, with a lodge, cabins, a campground, a pool, and miles of trails. Running right through the area is the North Bend Rail Trail, a 72-mile rail-to-trail route on a former CSX line that passes through old railroad tunnels (including the reputedly haunted Silver Run Tunnel) and quiet countryside – a regional draw for cyclists and hikers. The combination of lake, lodge and trail makes North Bend a genuine getaway.
Getting there and what’s nearby
North Bend Lake is near Harrisville and Cairo in Ritchie County, about 40 minutes east of Parkersburg. The historic small town of Cairo, the rail trail and the rolling hills of west-central West Virginia surround it.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a West Virginia license is required.
- Quiet/family lake: calm water suited to paddling and small boats; the state park anchors a full weekend.
- Don’t miss the rail trail: 72 miles of rail-trail with historic tunnels run right past the park.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in North Bend Lake?
Largemouth bass, muskie, crappie, channel catfish and bluegill.
What is the North Bend Rail Trail?
A 72-mile rail-to-trail route on a former railroad line, passing through historic tunnels and countryside, running right past North Bend State Park and lake.
Where is North Bend Lake?
Near Harrisville and Cairo in Ritchie County, west-central West Virginia, about 40 minutes east of Parkersburg.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in West Virginia, or head back to the West Virginia Lakes Database.
