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I've always been curious to check out this Lake but have never made the trip. I've read that it's a three mile treck down the canal then you use a winch to take your boat up to Lake level. The Lake is suppose to have crappie but is only six feet at it's deepest. Anyone ever fished it?
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing...play.asp?id=44
Although I live very close to it, I've never fished in there. I've heard that the water is so alkaloid that the fish are not edible but don't know if thats true or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by TapOut64
Tap Out- heres some info I found.
Fishing and boating are permitted year-round on Lake Drummond. A Virginia fishing license is required. Boat Access is permitted via the 3.5 mile Feeder Ditch connecting Lake Drummond with the Dismal Swamp Canal off US Hwy. 17 in Chesapeake, VA. A public boat ramp is located north of the Feeder Ditch. To enter the lake, boats must be transported across the US Army Corps of Engineers spillway on the Feeder Ditch via a small motorized tram on which there is a 1000 pound weight limit with a maximum 10 HP motor. Camping facilities are available at the head of the Feeder Ditch
Tapout if you want company holler I would like to go there, have read about it. Will kick in on any expenses. I have 14 ft jon but no gas engine, just a TM.
I can set aside any day with some notice.
Jeff
Never heard of not being able to eat the fish coming out of there:eek: Maybe those who have eat them did not live to tell about it.:rolleyes: A good friend is the Federal Warden there and if any of you would like to try it let me know and I'll get some info from him that might help on how to fish it. I never have. I have heard that there are holes in there and that is what to look for and to fish them.
AC
I don't think the lake is known for it's fishing so don't get your hopes up. However, I have heard that the scenery on Lake Drummond is like no other.
You can camp overnight at a primitive campsite just before the lake. Popular scout camp spot.
A friend and I were considering doing this in the canoe in November sometime. Wake up early to check out the lake and paddle back down the canal before end of the day.
Never been so it would be pretty cool to check it out. I've heard it's like another world once you get on the lake.
I worry about getting out to the lake and hearing banjo music from deep in the woods. :eek:
The lake is in the middle of nowhere. I had read that it was created by a meteors impact, but with as shallow as it is I'm not sure I believe that.
I'm undecided if it's worth a trip or not.
It looks like it might be worth a visit if you had a canoe. I read some more info and they stated it is catch and release only. One site had pics and the scenery is really nice. If there are crappie in there I would venture to say you would have a ball catching them as this lake is very much under fished because of its in accessability.
Boo, hiss. :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by dusty
Have a canoe by any chance. If my friend and I decide to go it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a few more people join us. You know, to fight off those banjo playing swamp dwellers! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by TapOut64
http://www.s-plan.fslife.co.uk/deliv...nce_guitar.jpg
This is a link to a great article on the Great Dismal Swap and Lake Drumond. Lots of helpful info. It's from American Heritage Magazine so it has lots of historical context.
http://www.americanheritage.com/arti...002_2_66.shtml
Because of it's size I would think gas is a must to cover area. Not to mention the wind must whip through there.Quote:
Originally Posted by horseshoer
10 HP or less. A trolling motor would barely get you down the feeder canal because it is 3 miles 1 way. One article I read the guy had a kayak and it took him about 1-1/2 hrs to get down the feeder canal. Looks like it would be a good workout.
a few sites I found
http://www.albemarle-nc.com/gates/gdsnwr/
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/watersheds/drummond.html
http://www.dismalswamptraders.com/sw...ke_photos.html
http://www.picturehistory.com/find/p/138/mcms.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Drummond
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdi...tion6-9-06.htm
http://members.visi.net/~lawrence/photos.html
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing...play.asp?id=44
http://www.nansemondriverworks.com/P..._Drummond.html
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdi...ortunities.htm
I use Copernic as a search engine and it is pretty good.
IMO, that place is too serene for a gas motor. The lake is 2.7-by-2.3-miles so it's definitely a lot to explore in a day. Can you say multiple trips?
"For those who prefer to rough it, the Army Corps of Engineers maintains a rustic campground at the Feeder Ditch Spillway, with grills, picnic tables, campfire areas, and two screened dining areas, but no drinking water. Camping is free; call 757-421-7401. It is the only campground in the Great Dismal Swamp."
I'd like to take my wife out there and would feel better going along with another group or two especially since it's in the middle of nowhere. Since it is so wide open it would be smart to go on a day when the wind is not too strong.Quote:
Originally Posted by freeflow_23
If I get my kayak soon I would love to go. Are you planning on camping out? A trip like that I would have to have the assurance of Smith & Wesson with me, I don't like banjo music unless it is accompanied by a blue grass group!;)
Lots of good info and pic here. Thanks Dusty.Quote:
Originally Posted by dusty
Count me in or holler if you want to plan a trip. I am up for an overnighter.
Just need some notice to keep it open work-wise. One thing I know about the firearms policy there without any researching:
1) Only illegal to pack a gun in if the authorities see it.
2) Only stupid thing concerning guns in Great Dismal Swamp needing one and
not having it.
I'm in too! When? Anyway we can do it in Nov? Around the 11th?
Don't want to interfere with any Nov. Bash plans.
I wouldn't be spending the night, just fishing and site seeing for me and the Mrs.
I think you'd have to do it around then IMO. a lot of that area is zoned for hunting and I don't want to stumble through somones shooting path myself.Quote:
Originally Posted by freeflow_23
Good point. I think September and October are hunting months for the swamp. Will research.Quote:
Originally Posted by ReelFun
>>Here you go:
"The annual shotgun/archery deer hunt dates have been scheduled for October 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28, November 3, 4, 2006."
"The first annual black bear hunt will take place on the refuge on December 1 and 2, 2006." :eek:
I did a tour of the lake this spring, the guide said its popular for Crappie in the
spring and they have some big ones too, very scenic. Of course I saw a
cottonmouth nearby.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TapOut64
Replying to this: I went this past saturday (9/28/24) as i have never been there. For starters you need $5 to access the area. There is a drop box station for you to put your money in so take cash with you. Another thing that I have read is that there are no largemouth bass in the lake because of the low pH. While that may be what you read the fact remains that they are there! Third cast i hooked into one thinking it was a bowfin but it was indeed a largemouth bass so again they are there. Maybe not in huge numbers but im curious to see what the fall bite or spring bite does. Now for sure there are crappie in there and i got a few that day as well along wiht a yellow perch.
it is truly a beautiful lake wiht a lot of history....i would advise anyone to try it out at least once!