Fishing & Boating

2012 Boat Permits are now available

The City of Norfolk is pleased to be able to offer recreational activities on it's drinking water reservoirs.  While our primary goal is to provide safe, reliable drinking water to over 820,000 residents in Hampton Roads, we are also able offer the opportunity to experience the exceptional wildlife associated with our reservoirs.  Below is the information you will need to maximize your experience while protecting the quality of the water not only for drinking, but also for the natural inhabitants of the reservoirs and surrounding shorelands.

If you have any questions about the reservoirs, you can contact the Department of Utilities, Water Resources, at (757) 441-5678 or by email. Our offices are open Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm.

General Information

• The Norfolk reservoirs are available for fishing and boating sunrise to sunset.  Please be aware that this also applies to residents that live next to the reservoirs. The gates at the City's boat ramps are open sunrise to sunset unless otherwise posted.
  Yearly sunrise/sunset times    Daily sunrise/sunset times

• To place a boat on the reservoirs, including canoes, kayaks & paddleboats, you will need a City of Norfolk Boat Permit.  Information on how to obtain a permit can be found below.

• Boaters must observe all Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries regulations.  Boaters Guide  Fishing Guide

• Fish Found in the Reservoirs according to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

• View the City of Norfolk Code that relates to the use of the reservoirs.

Reservoirs

Facilities Key

Fishing	Motor Boating	Canoe & Kayak	Nature Viewing	Public Boat Access	Shore Fishing	Public Restroom

	Western Branch Reservoir   Created - 1963 Size - 1,265 acres Shoreline - 40 miles Location - Suffolk, VA
4601 Girl Scout Road Map

	Lake Prince   Created - 1918 Size - 946 acres Shoreline - 62 miles Location - Suffolk, VA
3717 Lake Prince Drive Map

	Lake Burnt Mills   Created - 1918 Size - 711 acres Shoreline - 36 miles Location - Suffolk, VA
Kirk Rd  & Everets Rd Map

	Lake Whitehurst   Created - 1898 Size - 480 acres Shoreline - 22 miles Location - Norfolk, VA
Shore Drive Map

	Little Creek Reservoir   Created - 1898 Size - 193 acres Shoreline - 5 miles Location - Virginia Beach, VA
Northampton Blvd Map

	Lake Smith & Lake Lawson Boat Ramp owned by Virginia Beach - website Created - 1885 & 1871 Size - 193 & 77 acres Shoreline - 11 & 6 miles Location - Virginia Beach, VA
5323 Shell Road Map

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Boat Permits

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

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.

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We are here to serve you!

EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

Water or Sewer Main Breaks (757) 823-1000

Customer Service (757) 664-6700

Miss Utility (Call Before You Dig)

1-800-552-7001