Fishing & Boating

The Burnt Mills Dam will be undergoing major safety upgrades beginning August 2006. During construction the boat ramp will closed to the public.  For more information please view the Project Bulletin.

Burnt Mills UPDATE (April 2008) - The lake remains closed to the public due to construction activities on the dam.  The City has authorized construction of Phase II - Replacement of the Intake Tower and Associated Structures.  This will extend the project completion date to January 2009. 

When the lake is reopened to the public, there will be a new entrance and parking area.  The new entrance is approximately one-quarter mile north of the current entrance on Kirk Road.  The current entrance and boat ramp below the dam will be closed to the public due to State and Federal Dam Safety Regulations.

Burnt Mills UPDATE (August 2008) - The lake remains closed to the public due to construction activities on the dam.  In order for the contractor to install a new pipe under the dam as part of Phase II work, the lake will be lowered by as much as 14 feet below the normal pool elevation.  For more information please view the August 26, 2008 Project Bulletin.

Burnt Mills UPDATE (April 2009) - The lake remains closed to the public due to construction activities on the dam.  The current schedule shows project completion in mid to late summer 2009. 

You can view the City of Norfolk Code that relates to the use of the reservoirs here.

Fishing Stations

The gates at all of the City's lakes are open sunrise to sunset.  You must be off of city property by sunset. 

Boat permits are for sale at various locations.  See below for more details.

Rental boats are not available.

Yearly sunrise/sunset times    Daily sunrise/sunset times

Fish Found in the Reservoirs

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Directions to Fishing Stations

The facilities listed below have an improved boat ramp, bathroom facilities and ample parking.

Lake Whitehurst - 7625 Shore Drive, Norfolk. One-half mile west of the intersection of Shore Drive and Diamond Springs Road.   Map  

Lake Smith - 5381 Shell Road, Virginia Beach.  Intersection of Shell Road and Northampton Blvd.  Map  As of July 1, 2006 this facility is owned and maintained by the City of Virginia Beach.  Norfolk owns the lake and all codes are still in place.

Western Branch Reservoir - 4601 Girl Scout Road, Suffolk.  Where State Route 605 crosses Western Branch Reservoir, on the north side of road.  Map

Lake Prince - 3717 Lake Prince Drive, Suffolk.  Where State Route 604 crosses Lake Prince, on the south side of the road.  Map

The following have primitive boat ramps and limited parking.

Little Creek Reservoir  - Virginia Beach.  North side of Northampton Blvd, across from the Lake Smith fishing station.  Map

Lake Burnt Mills - Isle of Wight County.  Off State Route 602, across from Kirk Lumber Company.  Map  TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

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Boat Permits

The Annual and Daily Boat Permits are available at the following locations: 

Dashiell's Showroom 
1436 Holland Road, Suffolk
757-539-7854    map
Hours:
Monday through Friday 6:30 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday 6:30 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday 6:30 am to 3:00 pm

Owens Self Service Grocery 
6124 Everets Road, Suffolk
757-255-4442   map
Hours:
Monday through Friday 6:00 am to 3:00 pm
Weekends Closed

Oceans East 
5785 Northampton Blvd, Virginia Beach
757-464-6544    map
Hours:
Monday through Friday 4:30 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday 4:30 am to 8:00 pm
Sunday 4:30 am to 6:00 pm

City of Norfolk, Department of Utilities 
400 Granby Street, Norfolk
757-664-6701    map
Hours:
Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
Weekends Closed

Permits are also available by mail.   You can download and print the file.  Please allow 10-14 days to process the boat permit by mail.  Call 664-6701 for more information. 

Rate Schedule:  Boat permits are valid January 1 through December 31.  There is no provision for pro-rating the cost of the permits.

Boat Permit Application

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EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

Water or Sewer Main Breaks (757) 823-1000

Water Turn On/Turn Off (757) 664-6700

Miss Utility (Call Before You Dig)

1-800-552-7001