Horsepen Pond

Gazing across Horsepen Pond, can you imagine this tranquil oasis as a bustling hub for anglers? Horsepen Pond, a 19-acre impoundment nestled within the Horsepen Lake Wildlife Management Area in Buckingham County, Virginia, has a rich history. It’s one of several lakes created back in the 1930s. Horsepen Pond faced a crisis in 2001 when serious leaks threatened its very existence. Thankfully, repairs to the riser tower allowed the pond to be refilled and restocked in 2002. Since then, Horsepen Pond has become a popular fishing destination, offering anglers a chance to reel in some impressive catches. The largemouth bass population here is managed with trophy regulations. This means anglers can only keep one fish per day, and it must be at least 22 inches long. This strategy aims to create a true trophy fishery, and it’s working. Anglers report high catch rates, with many bass measuring between 11 and 16 inches, and a fair number reaching over 20 inches. But Horsepen Pond isn’t just for bass enthusiasts. You’ll also find sunfish, including bluegill and redear sunfish. While bluegill are more common, the redear sunfish offer a better chance of landing a real whopper. And don’t forget the channel catfish, stocked annually, with plenty of harvestable-size fish over 15 inches long. Horsepen Pond even boasts a thriving black crappie population. While crappie aren’t typically desirable in smaller bodies of water, angler harvest has helped maintain a quality fishery here, with fish exceeding 12 inches. In fact, anglers are encouraged to harvest crappie from Horsepen Pond. The pond offers a single lane boat ramp and a gravel parking lot for easy access. While bank fishing is somewhat limited to the lower section near the pavilion, several fish attractors have been installed throughout the pond to enhance fishing opportunities for both bank and boat anglers. So, the next time you find yourself gazing at Horsepen Pond, remember its journey from near-disaster to thriving fishing haven.