Lake Orange Map - Click to Enlarge
Map Source: VDGIF
May 8, 2006: Darrell
Kennedy and friends
fertilize Lake Orange.
Regular fertilization of
Lake Orange allows the
lake to hold as many fish
as an unfertilized lake
three times its size!
Kennedy and friends
fertilize Lake Orange.
Regular fertilization of
Lake Orange allows the
lake to hold as many fish
as an unfertilized lake
three times its size!
Darrell Kennedy with a 7 lb 4oz Largemouth
| Donald Bergerman with a giant 9 lb 14 oz Lake Orange largemouth - Spring 2006 |
A nice 5 lb Lake Orange walleye
| Click Photos to Enlarge |
Lake Orange Overview
Lake Orange is a scenic 124-acre lake a few miles east of the town of Orange, VA.
It has a boat ramp, fishing pier, concession, and excellent shoreline access. It is
home to largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, walleye, channel catfish, plus a
few northern pike and chain pickerel. In 1989, it produced the world record white
bass at 6 lb 13 oz. Most of the fishing pressure is directed at largemouth bass and
crappie. Gas engines are not permitted.
It has a boat ramp, fishing pier, concession, and excellent shoreline access. It is
home to largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, walleye, channel catfish, plus a
few northern pike and chain pickerel. In 1989, it produced the world record white
bass at 6 lb 13 oz. Most of the fishing pressure is directed at largemouth bass and
crappie. Gas engines are not permitted.
June 27, 2008: Darrell Kennedy, of Angler's Landing (540-672-3997), reports that
the water is clear with temperatures in the 80's. Numerous crappie are being
caught off the pier on small minnows. Large mouth bass are schooling on shad.
Top water baits are excellent early and late in the day with soft plastics bringing
the bass bite during mid-day. Catfish are in a frenzy, with large numbers coming
in on live bait and chicken liver. Walleye are being caught near the dam on live
bait. Fantastic Fishing!!!
the water is clear with temperatures in the 80's. Numerous crappie are being
caught off the pier on small minnows. Large mouth bass are schooling on shad.
Top water baits are excellent early and late in the day with soft plastics bringing
the bass bite during mid-day. Catfish are in a frenzy, with large numbers coming
in on live bait and chicken liver. Walleye are being caught near the dam on live
bait. Fantastic Fishing!!!
Virginia Outdoors - A Resource for Virginia Anglers and Hunters
Virginia Outdoors - Lake Orange
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Fishing Lake Orange
Largemouth Bass: The largemouth bass fishing at Lake Orange is excellent. Fish
in the 15" - 18" range are not uncommon, and trophy fish are possible. In 2003,
one lucky angler landed an 11 lb 3 oz fish! The VDGIF enacted a 16"-22" protected
slot limit on the lake in 2004 to further enhance the trophy bass fishing. Shad and
bluegill are a big part of the bass diet at Lake Orange, so small crankbaits in
colors that imitate these forage fish are a good choice. Shoreline structure is a
good place to start. Working the fish attractors (which are clearly marked with
buoys) with Texas-rigged plastics is another good option - especially in the
summer and winter months.
Crappie: Crappie are abundant in Lake Orange. Given the relatively small size of
the lake, trolling small (1/16 oz) crappie jigs in chartreuse or white is a good way to
cover the lake and find the fish. Once the fish are located, anglers can continue
trolling or switch to casting the jigs. Of course, live minnows are an excellent
choice - especially after the fish have been located - and they are also worth a try
around the fish structures.
Catfish: Channel catfish are stocked regularly and, when conditions are right, can
be easy to catch. Chicken livers near the main lake point or in the upper end of the
lake over the flats in 6'-10' of water will work well. The long, narrow cove near the
dam is also known to hold quality fish.
in the 15" - 18" range are not uncommon, and trophy fish are possible. In 2003,
one lucky angler landed an 11 lb 3 oz fish! The VDGIF enacted a 16"-22" protected
slot limit on the lake in 2004 to further enhance the trophy bass fishing. Shad and
bluegill are a big part of the bass diet at Lake Orange, so small crankbaits in
colors that imitate these forage fish are a good choice. Shoreline structure is a
good place to start. Working the fish attractors (which are clearly marked with
buoys) with Texas-rigged plastics is another good option - especially in the
summer and winter months.
Crappie: Crappie are abundant in Lake Orange. Given the relatively small size of
the lake, trolling small (1/16 oz) crappie jigs in chartreuse or white is a good way to
cover the lake and find the fish. Once the fish are located, anglers can continue
trolling or switch to casting the jigs. Of course, live minnows are an excellent
choice - especially after the fish have been located - and they are also worth a try
around the fish structures.
Catfish: Channel catfish are stocked regularly and, when conditions are right, can
be easy to catch. Chicken livers near the main lake point or in the upper end of the
lake over the flats in 6'-10' of water will work well. The long, narrow cove near the
dam is also known to hold quality fish.
Lake Orange Fishing Report
Spring 2007: 3 lb citation crappie
| Spring 2007: Big fish 8 lb 8oz citation largemouth bass |
| Copyright © 2007 Virginia Outdoors, LLC Ruckersville, VA |
| Featured Article: Where to Catch Virginia's Trophy Largemouth Bass |
