Suffolk & Norfolk Lakes Fishing Report w/ VA DWR Biologist Chad Boyce

On this episode of Fishing the DMV, I sit down with Chad Boyce from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources for a high-level breakdown of one of the most unique and overlooked bass fishing regions in the Mid-Atlantic — the Suffolk and Norfolk lake system in southeastern Virginia. This episode is a full map-based breakdown and historical deep dive into the major reservoirs in the region, including Lake Prince, Western Branch Reservoir, Burnt Mills Reservoir, Lake Meade, Lake Cohoon, the Lone Star Lakes system, and Lake Drummond inside the Great Dismal Swamp. We explore how and why these lakes were created, how they function today as municipal water supply reservoirs, and what makes each lake completely different from a bass fishing and habitat perspective. If you’ve ever searched for Virginia bass fishing lakes, Suffolk VA fishing, Norfolk VA fishing, or hidden gem largemouth bass fisheries, this episode gives you a complete foundational understanding of the entire system. Chad breaks down the key habitat types in each lake, including cypress trees, flooded timber, shallow flats, creek channels, swamp systems, and open-water structure — and how those environments shape largemouth bass behavior, movement, and seasonal positioning. We also discuss how blackwater conditions, tannic-stained water, and low-visibility environments impact feeding patterns and why these lakes consistently produce quality bass despite relatively low fishing pressure. This is not just a fishing report — it’s a big-picture educational breakdown of how these fisheries work. You’ll learn how each lake differs in layout, depth, water clarity, and habitat, and how to approach them whether you're fishing from a kayak, small boat, or electric-only setup. Please support Fishing the DMV on Patreon:   / fishingthedmvpodcast   If you are interested in being on the show or a sponsorship opportunity, please reach out to me at [email protected] Virginia DWR Website: https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/ Virginia on Facebook:   / virginiadwr   Jake’s bait & Tackle Website: http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/ Link to Tactical Fishing Company: https://tacticalfishingco.com/ Fishing Pro Tech:   / fishingprotech   Phone Number: (757) 566-1278 Email: [email protected] Fishing Pro Tech Address: 7812-A Richmond Road, Toano, VA, United States, 23168 Click the link below to get free shipping off any Super Blue Stuff roll-ons when you use the code FISHING! Click the link below right here: https://bit.ly/4buUMb5 #bassfishing #fishingtheDMV #fishingtips