Thread: Langley AFB

Originally Posted by Glenn

My son is returning from Germany this June and is being assigned to Langley. He will spend 3 years there to finish up a 30 year career. Any decent Crappie fishing within 60-70 miles?
Thanks.

Hi Glenn, I know its nice to have your son back from Germany. Not sure of the distance. There are a lot of great crappie spots scattered across Virginia. The Suffolk lakes.James River. and John Kerr lake( Buggs Island) just to name a few. I have been to Buggs Island in the spring and stayed at the state park (Okeeneechi- not sure of spelling) Nice place to stay, very reasonable, also several motels in the area. Gaston Lake is also available(I live close by) and can provide a lot of fun. Look on Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries web site for other places to fish. Good Luck and glad to have your son back and tell him thanks for his service..........crappie1133

Langley is about 30 miles south of Williamsburg where there are several good lakes like Diascund. Little Creek and Waller Mill, Chick Lake and some others that I'm forgetting. I'm sure some others will chime in here. Several of them are trolling motor only but can still be fished if you take the prop off or disconnect the fuel. (I forget).

Thanks for the info, I'll pass it along to my son.

There's also the city parks like New port news, and a couple over around va. beach. Some of the members are posting quite a bit abo fishing around Chesapeake, and sufolk area. Lived in Chesapeake area for nine ears, but never really got to much chance to fish. Running an 18 wheeler tryin to make them payments, and having a honey do list longer than your arm when you get back, just don't leave time for fishing much....hope they chime in here for you....Eric

If your son wants big lakes, there are 4 in Virginia (Gaston, Buggs/Kerr, Smith Mountain, and Anna), but all are beyond your 60 - 70 mile radius. Many rivers and smaller lakes are nearby, however.

As Bill noted, most of the lakes are reservoirs with motor restrictions. The rules for boating & fishing these lakes vary widely. Generally, the lakes south of the James River permit small (up to 10 hp) gasoline engines and the lakes north of the river are TMO. To some extent, these differences affect the setup of a boat and your fishing style, so it's a good idea for your son to try a few of these places (especially the nearby ones) before making big purchases. It's usually pretty easy to find members of this group with available back seats and a willingness to help a newcomer--especially someone in the military.

The DGIF lake information here is an excellent place to begin the research. Also, by simply watching the 2014 season unfold via the reports posted on this forum your son will learn a lot about the most popular fisheries in southeast Virginia. One destination that may not get as much discussion as it deserves is Beaverdam Swamp Reservoir. It's located in Gloucester about 30 miles from Langley and is one of his closest options.

Several tidal rivers (above the salt/fresh divide) in the region are also worth investigating. Most of them have good yellow perch spawning seasons (beginning any day) and good to excellent crappie fishing throughout the year.

Don't know about crappie in that area, but with a skiff or jon boat there is some migthy fine fishing in the back river right behind the base. Tons of fishing in the river, and the entire Chesapeake Bay when the weather is nice.

I was stationed at Langley from 1976-79 (1st Tactical Fighter Wing) and afterwards stayed in the area (Western Branch area of Chesapeake) until 2000. Everyone has given you some good information but here is one he is sure to enjoy: http://www.virginia.org/Listings/Out...BeaverdamPark/
I've spent many days on that water and although I live in NC I long for the time I can return and wet a line. Langley has changed a great deal since I was stationed there. Also, there is now a Bass Pro Shop just a few miles from the base! A great way to finish his career!

I have lived my hole life in the flight path of LAFB. There are no fish left in the lakes mention by other fisherman here. They have all but disappeared. Go figure. Your best bet find you a little lake in some of these housing projects around the area. There are right many of them around. If you need some help just pm me.