Itineraries

Suffolk Waterways

Suffolk has over 8,000 acres of lakes and miles of river shoreline. Here are just a few highlights:

Lone Star Lake:

  • 12 lakes total (1172-acre park)
  • Freshwater fishing and pier
  • Four-mile horse trail
  • Archery range and model airplane flying field
  • Grills & playground
  • Boat access: all lakes have access. Motors 15hp or less are allowed. Gas prohibited.
  • Fishing:
    Crane Lake (Bluegill, Blue Crabs, Channel and Blue Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Spot, Striped Bass, White Catfish, and White Perch)
    Butler Tract, Lake Crystal & Lake Annette (Bluegill, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Redear Sunfish, and White Perch)
    Southern Lake & Lake Wahoo (Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Crappie, and Largemouth Bass)

Park Entrance – 102 Bob House Parkway, Suffolk, VA 23432
Contact Information: 757.255.4032 (Park Rangers)

Bennett’s Creek Park:

Access: Entrance located at 3000 Bennetts Creek Park Rd., Suffolk, VA 23435. Boat ramp and small beach access to Nansemond River with kayak dock/fishing pier. Distance to mouth = 2 miles. Contact information: 757.484.3984

Cedar Creek:

Access: Access through Lone Star State Park. The creek is physically located off Route 125, 1/2 mile east of Chuckatuck. Provides a route to the Nansemond River. The creek is very shallow at low tide.

Chuckatuck Creek:

Access: Access through Lone Star State Park (Crane Lake). The creek is physically located north of Route 125 in Chuckatuck. Provides a route to the Nansemond River. The trail winds through marshes with great opportunity for birding. Flat water conditions exist near the Lone Star lakes, but more open water is encountered near the mouth. Distance to mouth = 7 miles.

Sleepy Hole Park:

Access: Entrance off Sleepy Hole Road (Rte 629). A canoe/kayak launch is available for access to the Nansemond River. Distance to mouth = less than two miles. Contact Information: 757.923.2385

Constant’s Wharf (City Marina):

Access: Behind the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront, at the intersection of Constance Road and North Main Street. Explore the upper Nansemond River. A kayak launch is available for access to the Nansemond River. Distance to mouth = 23 miles.

Dismal Swamp Accessways:

Access: Access the Feeder Ditch connecting Lake Drummond with the Dismal Swamp canal. A public boat ramp is located north of the feeder ditch on the canal. Boats must be small enough to be lifted by electric tram to the higher level of the lake. Vessels are limited to 25hp (max 1000 lbs). The Interior Ditch boat ramp is by special permit only (weekends) between April 1 and June 15. Contact Information: 757.986.3705

Things to Remember:

  • You must have an annual or daily boating/fishing permit from the Cities of Portsmouth or Norfolk (includes kayaks); excludes Lone Star State Park and Dismal Swamp.
  • You must have a Virginia State Fishing License

Permit and License Purchasing:

Portsmouth Permit:
Cohoon-Meade Fishing Station (1805 Pitchkettle Rd., Suffolk, VA 23434); Daily Pass; 757.397.4215
Department of Public Utilities Office (801 Crawford St., Portsmouth, VA 23704); Annual only

Norfolk Permit:
Dashiell’s Showroom (1259 Carolina Rd., Suffolk, VA 23434); 757.539.7854
Department of Public Utilities Office (400 Granby St., Norfolk, VA 23510); 757.644.6701

Virginia License:
Purchase online and e-print here.

Get your free Visitors Guide

Your ultimate guide to Suffolk

Sign up for our Newsletter

Be the first to hear about travel ideas, new local experiences, and deals

Meet in Suffolk

It’s a good time to meet in Suffolk!

Translate »