Overview
Buggs Island Lake, also known as Kerr Lake, is a large reservoir located along the Virginia–North Carolina border on the Roanoke River. Created in the early 1950s, the lake covers approximately 50,000 acres and extends across multiple counties in both states. Its size and position within the Roanoke River basin make it a key regional resource for water management, recreation, and fisheries.
The shoreline is long and highly irregular, featuring broad open-water sections, expansive creek arms, and gently sloping to moderately steep banks. Numerous coves, submerged points, and defined river channels create a structurally diverse basin. Large embayments and tributaries transition into wide main-lake areas, providing a mix of shallow and deep-water habitats throughout the reservoir.
Buggs Island Lake supports a highly regarded multi-species fishery with established populations of largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, and catfish. The lake is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees flood control, hydropower generation, and water supply operations while maintaining extensive public access and long-term resource stewardship.
On the Lake
Find key access points and services around Buggs Island.