341 | Is This Virginia’s BEST Kept Bass Fishing Secret? | Leesville Lake

04/16/25 • 55 min

On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, we're shining a spotlight on one of Virginia's most underrated hidden gems—Leesville Lake. 🎣

Joining me is Mike Gils, an angler and local expert, to talk about what may be Virginia’s least-known but most promising fishery. Tucked away in the Roanoke River Basin, Leesville Lake serves as the lower reservoir to the more famous Smith Mountain Lake, yet it holds its own as a prime destination for anglers and outdoor lovers alike.

This 3,260-acre reservoir with over 100 miles of shoreline straddles Campbell, Pittsylvania, and Bedford Counties and offers incredible fishing, boating, kayaking, tubing, and swimming. And while Leesville might not be on every fisherman’s radar, recent surveys by Virginia fisheries biologists ranked it 6th in the state for its abundance of trophy-sized bass—those over 20 inches—based on CPUE-M (Catch Per Unit Effort – Memorable).

Leesville Lake isn't just about big bass. The surrounding region boasts scenic hiking trails, local wineries, live music, cultural events, and more—making it the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or a new fishing adventure.

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Support the show

On this exciting episode of Fishing the DMV, we're shining a spotlight on one of Virginia's most underrated hidden gems—Leesville Lake. 🎣

Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon!!! https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

Fishing the DMV now has a website: https://www.fishingthedmv.com/

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected]

Please checkout our Patreon Sponsors
Jake’s bait & Tackle website:
http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/

Catoctin Creek Custom Rods: https://www.facebook.com/CatoctinCreekCustomRods

Support the show

Previous Episode

MNL 54 | Forward Facing Sonar UNDER FIRE?! MD Survey Breakdown + Elite Recap & Fishing Coach vs Guide

On this exciting Monday Night Live we’re gonna recap the Bassmaster Elite event on the Pasquotank River, and officially sanctioned Survey from the Maryland Department of Wildlife Resource on Forward Facing Sonar, and an interesting philosophical question about what the differences between a Coach and a Guide if there is any in the world of youth fishing.

Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon!!! https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

Fishing the DMV now has a website: https://www.fishingthedmv.com/

If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected]

Please checkout our Patreon Sponsors
Jake’s bait & Tackle website:
http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/

Catoctin Creek Custom Rods: https://www.facebook.com/CatoctinCreekCustomRods

Support the show

Next Episode

Spring Bass Bash 2025!!!! with $1,500+ in Cash & Prizes!

I am excited to officially announce our next major fishing tournament — the Spring Bass Bash, proudly presented by The Bass Cast!
This epic tournament kicks off Saturday, April 26th at 6:00 AM and runs all the way through Sunday, June 15th at midnight — giving you over a month to chase down giants!

Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon!!! https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast

Entry is just $45, but here's the catch:
You must be an active Fishing the DMV Patreon Weekend Warrior Member to compete. Once you're signed up, on Patreon!!! https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast we’ll send you a TourneyX passcode through your Patreon account. Make sure to stay active throughout the tournament to remain eligible for all prizes!
Target Species:
• Largemouth Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
📊 Best 8-fish limit wins — mix and match species however you like for the Overall Division!
🏆 Prize Divisions Include:
Mixed Bag or Largemouth Division:
• 🥇1st – $500 + Plaque
• 🥈2nd – $200 + Plaque
• 🥉3rd – $150 + Plaque
• 4th & 5th – Plaques
Smallmouth-Only Division:
• 🥇1st – $500 + Plaque
• 🥈2nd – $200 + Plaque
• 🥉3rd – $150 + Plaque
• 4th & 5th – Plaques
🎣 Big Fish Awards!
You know we love the hammers! We’re awarding $100 + Plaque to the largest Smallmouth Bass caught in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia waters.
And for the Largemouth Big Fish Awards, we’re doing something a little different:
No angler can sweep the whole board! If you catch multiple giant green bass, only your biggest one will count — the rest of the awards will go to the next in line.
• 1st – $100 + Plaque
• 2nd – $100 + Plaque
• 3rd – $100 + Plaque
🔥 If one angler absolutely blows away the field, we’ll be adding contingency prizes to recognize other standout performances.
🧪 Side Quest Challenge!!!
We’re throwing in bonus bounties for the panfish pros and snakehead snipers out there:
• 🐍 Largest Snakehead – $100 + Plaque
• 🐟 Largest Sunfish/Bluegill – $100 + Plaque
• 🪨 Largest Rock Bass – $100 + Plaque
• 🐸 Largest Crappie – $100 + Plaque
So if you're ready to rep your region, chase trophy bass, and maybe win some cash along the way, join us for the Spring Bass Bash — and let's make this the biggest tournament yet on Fishing the DMV
Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon!!! https://patreon.com/FishingtheDMVPodcast