Virginia Beach
Lake Smith & Lake Lawson
- Lakes
- Lake Smith & Lake Lawson
- Shoreline
Reliable year-round freshwater — crappie stack up along the standing timber in spring.
- Parking
- limited
- Restrooms
- None on site
- Fee or permit
- Not typically
- Night access
- false
Getting there
City-maintained lot off Northampton Blvd.
Verify current access, hours, fees, closures, and regulations with official sources before you go.
Parking & amenities
Paved fishing pier/platform at Lake Smith.
Reading the water
Not tidal
No tide here — daylight, wind, and water temperature set the day. Bite Windows shows the forecast and daylight without a tide.
Exposure
Small, tree-lined freshwater lakes — well sheltered, with afternoon thunderstorms the main weather concern.
Wind against tide, and when to turn aroundToday here
The full instrument and the week ahead- Acquiring NOAA tide predictions
- Requesting the NWS hourly forecast
- Computing sunrise, sunset, and civil twilight
Safety considerations
Noted for this spot
- Standard freshwater precautions — watch footing along the bank.
General to shoreline and kayak launch access
- Riprap and oyster shell are sharp, slick, and uneven; wear footwear with grip and keep hands out of the shell. Casting safely
- Boat and ship wake arrives without warning on the rivers and the Bay front — stand back from the edge when traffic passes. Kayak and boating safety basics
- Wear the life jacket from launch to landing; most fatal incidents involve one that was aboard but not worn. Kayak and boating safety basics
- Local water is cold enough to cause immediate breathing and grip loss for much of the year — dress for the water temperature. Kayak and boating safety basics
- Wind across open marsh and a falling tide can turn the paddle back into hard work; plan the return before you launch. Weather awareness for coastal anglers
Species documented here
All species in Virginia Beach
Other water nearby
Similar spots in this part of the coast
Photo Virginia State Parks staff, CC BY 2.0
ShorelineKayak launchFirst Landing — Broad Bay
Grass flats inside the bay — good early-morning kayak water for trout and small drum.
1 speciesAccessible features
Photo BrandlandUSA, Public domain (representative)
ShorelineKayak launchLynnhaven Inlet — Boat Ramp & Beach Facility
The historic Lynnhaven Fishing Pier closed in 2017 and was sold — today's public access is the city's Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility, plus some bank fishing along the beach and riprap.
3 speciesAccessible features
Photo Randy Everette, CC BY-SA 3.0
Kayak launchBoat rampMunden Point Park
Launch before sunrise — the grass line off the point holds bass until boat traffic picks up.
2 speciesAccessible features
