Anawalt Public Fishing Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Anawalt Public Fishing Area is located in Tazewell County, Virginia, and is a popular destination for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.


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Summary

The area encompasses 145 acres of land, including a 23-acre lake that is stocked with trout, bass, and other fish species.

One of the main reasons to visit Anawalt Public Fishing Area is for its excellent fishing opportunities. The lake is regularly stocked with trout by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and there are also plenty of bass, bluegill, and catfish to be caught.

In addition to fishing, visitors to Anawalt can also enjoy hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. The area is home to a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons.

Interesting facts about Anawalt Public Fishing Area include its history as a coal mining site in the early 1900s. The area was later reclaimed and turned into a public fishing area in the 1980s.

The best time of year to visit Anawalt Public Fishing Area depends on the visitor's interests. Spring and fall are the best times for fishing, as the cooler temperatures make for better conditions. Summer is a popular time for hiking and picnicking, while winter offers the opportunity to ice fish on the lake.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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