Big Ditch Lake is a quiet 55-acre lake in Webster County, the heart of a wildlife management area in the rugged mountains of central West Virginia. Stocked with trout and holding bass, catfish and panfish, it’s a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path lake for anglers, paddlers and campers who want mountain scenery without the crowds.
This guide covers Big Ditch Lake: the fishing, the WMA, and access. It’s part of our growing West Virginia Lakes Database.
Big Ditch Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~55 acres in the Big Ditch Wildlife Management Area
- Location: Webster County, central West Virginia (near Cowen & Webster Springs)
- Top fish: stocked trout (seasonal), largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, crappie
Fishing Big Ditch Lake
Big Ditch is a well-rounded small-lake fishery: trout are stocked in the cooler months, and the lake holds largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill and crappie year-round. A West Virginia fishing license (and trout stamp in season) is required. The quiet, no-wake water and easy access make it a relaxed spot for bank and small-boat fishing.
The WMA and recreation
The surrounding Big Ditch Wildlife Management Area offers hunting, wildlife watching and a campground, with the lake suited to canoes, kayaks and johnboats. Tucked into the central highlands near the Monongahela National Forest, it’s a genuinely quiet escape – the kind of lake where you might have a cove to yourself.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Big Ditch Lake is near Cowen in Webster County, central West Virginia, within reach of Webster Springs and Summersville. The Monongahela National Forest and the Cranberry backcountry lie to the east.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: required (plus a trout stamp during the stocking season).
- Quiet & remote: no-wake water in a WMA – ideal for paddling and bank fishing.
- Best seasons: spring and fall for stocked trout; summer for bass and panfish.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Big Ditch Lake?
Stocked trout in the cooler months, plus largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill and crappie.
Where is Big Ditch Lake?
Near Cowen in Webster County, central West Virginia, within reach of Webster Springs and Summersville.
Related: explore the small lakes of West Virginia, or head back to the West Virginia Lakes Database.
