Tourists and sportsmen along the East Coast have discovered that Virginia is, in fact, “for lovers”—that is, for those who love water sports, boating, and fishing. The reason: Virginia is home to Lake Anna, the second largest freshwater lake in the state.
Lake Anna is located in Spotsylvania County, about a 90-minute drive south of Washington, DC. The lake itself was created in 1971 by the Virginia Electric Power Company, now called Dominion Resources. The power company needed a large body of water to provide cooling for a nuclear power plant it was building next to the lake.
The lake is approximately 17 miles long and has approximately 200 miles of shoreline. The area surrounding the lake is wooded and rural, although many people have purchased lakefront and lake view lots. In 1983, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation opened Lake Anna State Park to ensure that despite private development around the lake, the public would always have access to this large recreational area. The park has rental cabins, camping areas, and more than 14 miles of hiking trails. It also has a large sandy beach for children, a boat launch ramp and an ecological center.
Dominion Resources still owns the entire coastline and enforces strict rules to ensure water quality. However, it grants “agricultural and recreational easements” to owners who live on the water’s edge. The lake is divided into the smaller “warm side”, which is restricted, and the “cold side”, which is the main lake that is open to all.
Fishing is great. The Virginia Department of Inland Fish and Game monitors the fish population and makes sure the lake is stocked with largemouth bass, striped bass, bluegill, black crappie, walleye and white perch.
The lake is also excellent for boating, particularly pontoon boats and powerboats up to 18 feet. at length. Canoeing and kayaking are also popular, especially on weekdays when there is less powerboat traffic.
Families can rent lakefront homes during the summer for prices ranging from $150 per day (for a 2-bedroom home) to $300 per day (for 4 or more bedrooms). People wishing to rent for a week are prioritized for the most ideal vacation times, but shorter rental periods are also possible. For more rental information, type “Lake Anna Home Rentals” into your web browser’s search box.
