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Southern Virginia Emerges as Outdoor Mecca

Set in the rural countryside of Southern Virginia, Mecklenburg County holds an idyllic landscape highlighted by 70,000 acres of water and 1,200 miles of shoreline to explore. Anglers covet the area for the abundance of fishing opportunities in Kerr Lake (best known to locals as Bugg’s Island Lake), as well as Lake Gaston and the lesser-known gem Lake Gordon.  This outdoor mecca is only 1 ½ hours from both Richmond and Raleigh/Durham, right on the Virginia and North Carolina border.

Celebrating its 250th anniversary throughout 2015, Mecklenburg County offers visiting anglers a number of events to enhance their trip and entertain their families.  Even if the kids and the wife aren’t into fishing, they’ll find an array of events, interactive farms, attractions, lake activities and even day trips throughout the region.  But if you’re lucky and they’re into fishing, get ready for a family fishing paradise.

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Even kayak fishing has become extremely popular in Mecklenburg County. Anglers put-in at Kerr Dam at the Tailrace Park from the handicap accessible kayak launch opened through the efforts of the Upper Reach organization, a local nonprofit dedicated to creating recreation opportunities throughout Southern Virginia.

“We’re trying to bring kayaking and outdoor recreation to the community,” says Upper Reach member Doug Miley, who’s also a local fishing guide with Frog Hollow Outpost.

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In nationally known Kerr Lake, Virginia’s largest with 50,000 acres of fresh water and over 800 miles of shoreline, anglers will find plenty of opportunities to pull largemouth bass, stripers, walleye and crappie. The lake also boasts a world record catch for the largest blue catfish at 143 pounds back in 2011. It was also voted the best lake in North America for catching giant crappie by In Fisherman magazine.

“Our fish population has become quite diverse,” adds Miley. “With so much to catch, it’s starting to bring a lot of visitors to the area.”

A popular spot for paddling and fly fishing is the Meherrin River, which was recently designated a National Scenic Waterway, where anglers can pull small mouth bass and the occasional trout.

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During fishing trips the area has a variety of accommodations, including hotels, cabin rentals, and an abundance of lakeside camping options.
 
The region also includes Halifax and South Boston, Danville, and Martinsville to the west, and Brunswick to the east.  Racing, wineries, historic but lively downtowns, and the best Brunswick Stew in the world await visitors.

For more information on fishing and outdoor recreation, events and more in Mecklenburg County visit VisitMeckVA.com .
 

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