Fishing & Boating

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area - ​​​​This 42-acre preserve with more than 12,000 feet of shoreline at the corner of Shell Road and Northampton Boulevard​. ​All boats must have a valid City of Norfolk boat permit; the reservoirs of Lake Smith/Lake Lawson are governed by Norfolk​. No fee to launch. ​​​
• ​Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility - Offers four concrete boat launch lanes for access to the​ Chesapeake Bay.​ ​Launch fees apply.
• Munden Point Park - Provides access to the North Landing River ​​to launch your boat, kayak, or canoe. The park also offers kayak and canoe rentals along with traditional park amenities such as ball fields, basketball and volleyball courts, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and a disc golf course.​ Launch fees apply.
• Owl Creek Boat Ramp - ​​Features four concrete boat launch lanes with associated temporary mooring areas offering direct access to Rudee Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean via Owl Creek. No fee to launch.​
• Pungo Ferry Landing Park​ - Boat ramp provides access to the North Landing River. No fee to launch.
• Lynnhaven Marina - Offers a safe and convenient location to keep your boat with easy access to the Chesapeake Bay and the Lynnhaven Inlet. The marina has 50 slips leased on an annual basis to recreational and commercial boaters with crafts 36 feet long or less. Call Parks & Natural Areas at (757) 385-2080 to ask about availability.
• Additional waterway access sites
• More about kayaking and canoeing

Saltwater Fishing

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission oversees saltwater sites, regulations, and licensing.

Suggested Fishing Locations

• Pleasure House Point Natural Area​ provides access to Pleasure House Creek, Crab Creek, and the Lynnhaven River. Ample parking is available along Marlin Bay Drive.
• Little Island Fishing Pier (ADA accessible) offers access to the Atlantic Ocean​. No license on the pier is needed, but a saltwater license is required for the beach. The surf fishing area is located on the beach toward the border with Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Fishing is not permitted from the beach within 200 feet of the pier. ​Ample parking is available.
• Lake Windsor (Mount Trashmore Park) access for fishing is limited, but ample parking is available. ​​
• Croatan Beach Park provides fishing access to the Atlantic Ocean. Ample parking is available in the parking lot off Vanderbilt Avenue. Fishing is not permitted near individuals in the water.
• Lynnhaven Boat and Beach Facility offer fishing access to the Lynnhaven River. Ample on-site parking is available.

Freshwater Fishing

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources​ oversees freshwater sites, regulations, and licensing.

Suggested Fishing Locations

• Stumpy Lake Natural Area (ADA Accessible) offers access to Stumpy Lake. Ample parking is available at the fishing pier and near the canoe/kayak launch.
• Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area (ADA Accessible) offers fishing access to Lake Smith and Lake Lawson. Ample parking is available on-site.
• Birchwood Malibu Park access to fishing on the neighborhood pond is available, but parking is limited.
• ​Lake Trashmore (Mount Trashmore Park) (ADA Accessible) access to Lake Trashmore with ample parking at Mount Trashmore Park. Boating isn’t permitted.
• Munden Point Park access to the North Landing River. Parking is available on-site.
• Pembroke Meadows Lake Park - Shoreline fishing to the lake is available.
• Chesapeake Beach Park provides limited fishing access to Lake Pleasure House. Limited parking along Beaufort Avenue and on-street parallel parking on Lauderdale Avenue.​

Additional information:

• Check with the Virginia Department of Health to see if waterways have fish-consumption advisories.
• The following are recommended sites for fishing from a canoe or kayak: Dozier Bridge, Hutton Circle, Birdneck Launch, and Owl Creek Boat Ramp.
• Fishing is not permitted from any mooring areas along city docks.