Numerous marinas and campgrounds, along with Lake Anna State Park, provide good access to all parts of Lake Anna.

NEWPORT NEWS -- LEE HALL RESERVOIR
It's said that good things sometimes come in small packages, and this is certainly true about 230-acre Lee Hall Reservoir, which is located with the Newport News Park. This little gem produced 15 citation crappie in 2007, putting it fifth on the statewide list of slab producers. Lee Hall's crappie population is made up of all black crappie, and the best numbers are in the upper part of the lake.

Spanned by the Interstate 64 and state Route 143 bridges, Lee Hall Reservoir is close to home and handy for folks in Newport News, and the lake's small size makes fish finding a more reasonable proposition, even for anglers who aren't familiar with the lake. That's especially true this time of year, when the fish tend to be close to the bank. Facilities are also great for a family outing. Boat rentals are available from two locations, and there are campgrounds, boat ramps, a fishing pier and some bank-fishing access.

Only boats with electric motors may be used on Lee Hall Reservoir, and a daily access permit is required. Statewide limits apply.

HAMPTON -- BEAVERDAM SWAMP RESERVOIR
A fairly young reservoir (built in 1989), Beaverdam Swamp offers crappie fishermen both quantity and quality. Recent electro-shocking efforts, combined with trap-netting surveys, reveal large numbers of black crappie that average 9 to 11 inches, with plenty of larger fish in the mix. In 2007, Beaverdam Swamp also produced eight citation crappie, making it one of the top smaller reservoirs in the Virginia.

A water-supply reservoir for Gloucester County, Beaverdam Swamp covers 635 acres. Several creek arms and an abundance of flooded timber created great structure and cover for crappie and other game fish. Some of the best crappie fishing occurs during the spring in the upper half of the reservoir on big, shallow flats.

Only electric motors may be operated on this lake, so anglers who plan to do significant exploring are wise to take a couple of batteries. Two boat ramps provide access to the lake, but the upper ramp is available only to annual pass holders. A daily or annual permit is required for all access. Rental boats are available at the main access area, which is accessible off Route 606. There is also a fishing pier in the same area.

ALEXANDRIA -- OCCOQUAN RESERVOIR
Not far from Interstate 95, Occoquan provides good fishing that is convenient to many folks who live in northern Virginia, and crappie serve up some of the best opportunities. Both black and white crappie are part of the mix on Occoquan, and the overall crappie population is in great shape. In 2007, Occoquan ranked sixth in the state in citation crappie production, with 13 trophy crappie catches having been turned in for recognition.

Occoquan covers 2,100 acres and straddles the border between Fairfax and Prince William counties. It offers a good range of depths and plenty of visible cover for anglers to concentrate on during the spring. Dependable crappie-holding cover includes boat docks, brushpiles and fish attractors.

Three parks provide good access to various parts of Lake Occoquan, including boating access and boat rentals. The daily combined limit for black and white crappie is 25 fish, with no minimum size.