Within walking distance of the Gloucester Courthouse, you’ll find this 635-acre reservoir, which is situated near Ashburn, Virginia. The reservoir and park offer a wide range of activities for those who enjoy spending time outdoors. Beaverdam Park is a well-liked location for families in the area. Hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders can all enjoy the paths. A variety of waterfowl, including deer, turkeys, and bald eagles, can be spotted in the area. There will be a significant number of anglers from the wider Gloucester area who will take a break from the local saltwater action to try their luck on one of the many freshwater fish species that can be found in the reservoir.
When the reservoir was completed in 1989, the water level reached its maximum capacity during the winter of 1989-1990. The only fish that have been stocked in this reservoir are bluegill, channel catfish, redear sunfish, and black crappie, which are all smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass population grew naturally as a result of the introduction of bass from nearby streams and many nearby farm ponds that were surrounded by the impoundment.
Beaverdam Swamp Reservoir is home to largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white perch, bluegill, and redear sunfish, all of which thrive in the reservoir’s ample habitat. Fishermen flock to the reservoir in large numbers, and the park hosts multiple bass contests throughout the year to capitalize on this popularity. Club contests for bass fishing will be held on the reservoir as well, hosted by several bass fishing clubs. The black crappie fishery provides anglers with a great deal of excitement, as well as the possibility of catching fish that qualify for citations.
During the early season months of January through March, the black crappie population gives some exceptional fishing possibilities. During these months, anglers will be able to discover enormous schools of crappie stacked up in shallow sections of the numerous creek arms, making for excellent fishing. It is also at this time of year that anglers think it is a fun practice to fill their freezers with fillets. Anglers are encouraged to enjoy the fishery without keeping every fish they catch. Catch and release practices of the larger black crappie in the 12 to 16-inch range will help to keep some of the stronger brood stock in the population and to maintain Beaverdam Swamp Reservoir is a popular place to fish for citation-sized crappie.
The bluegill population has seen a shift in size structure from an abundance of juvenile fish to one that holds a high proportion of larger-sized fish. The 2019 survey revealed a higher concentration of bluegill in the 6 to 7-inch range with very few fish found less than 4 inches in length. The redear sunfish population provides additional excitement with a decent abundance of 7 to 10-inch fish.
Bles Park
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