Kerr Reservoir / Buggs Island Lake, VA

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates 50,000-acre John H. Kerr Reservoir (named for Congressman John H. Kerr of North Carolina), also known as Buggs Island Lake to Virginians, and an additional 50,000 acres of surrounding land.  The 900 miles of wooded shoreline stretch across three counties in Virginia and three in North Carolina. Along this shoreline you can find opportunities to boat, fish, camp, swim, picnic, hike, and hunt. Five campgrounds are operated by the Corps of Engineers, seven by the North Carolina State Parks and two by the Virginia State Parks. These campgrounds provide tent and trailer camping at both primitive and water/electric sites with boat ramps, bath facilities, beaches, playgrounds and hiking trails. In addition to campgrounds, the Corps of Engineers also operates several other day-use facilities for boat launching, swimming and picnicking. Intensive wildlife management techniques are employed in twenty-six developed areas, consisting of over 10,000 acres of land. These areas provide opportunities for hunting, hiking, and wildlife watching. The reservoir provides habitat for many game fish species. Kerr Reservoir is widely known for large-mouth bass and striped bass fishing. Resident and non-resident fishing licenses from Virginia or North Carolina are recognized on all reservoir waters.