Fishing and Boating Guidelines Reston’s four man-made lakes — Anne, Thoreau, Audubon, and Newport — along with Reston’s two ponds — Bright and Butler — cover 125 acres and provide recreation and stormwater management for the community. While swimming and ice skating are not permitted, fishing, boating, wildlife watching, and lakeside picnicking are available to RA members and their guests.
Fishing in Reston
Fishing is allowed on all of Reston’s lakes and ponds from designated areas. Species of fish that may be caught include: largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, blue gill and sunfish.
Anglers 16 years and older must have a VA fishing license. Residents may fish from RA-owned property, which includes the dams on each lake. Much of the shoreline around each lake is private. Please respect the “No Trespassing” and“Private Property” areas indicated by signs. Please do not remove or damage shoreline vegetation. Please do not litter. Please do not feed ducks, geese or other waterfowl. Help protect people and wildlife. Please take all lines, lures and hooks with you when you leave.
Places to Fish
Lake Newport: Along the dam (park at Brown’s Chapel Park.) Lake Anne: Along the Lake Anne Plaza steps and public docks, along south shore of the canal and along the dam.
Lake Thoreau: Along 80 feet of shoreline and the public dock near Lake Thoreau pool, along dam by Lake Audubon, along bridge near golf course, and along timber wall at Purple Beach.
LAKE ANNE BOAT RENTALS Enjoy a journey across Lake Anne in a canoe, kayak, paddleboat or rowboat. Rental tickets can be purchased at Reston’s Used Book Shop, 1623 Washington Plaza (near the fountain). Contact the Book Shop by calling 703-435-9772.
Lake Audubon: Along dam by Lake Thoreau, at boat ramp by Lake Audubon Pool off Twin Branches Road, and along shoreline for 150 feet near the Nature Center (docks are private).
Hours of Operation Thursday 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Friday 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Cost: $10 per boat for 1-hour rental* CASH ONLY *Boat operator must be at least 16 years of age. A parent or legal guardian (18 years of age or older) must sign a waiver/agreement and accompany passengers under the age of 16. Swimming is not permitted. Pets are not allowed in boats. Rental hours are limited to Saturday and Sunday hours after September 3rd.
Boating in Reston
Reston’s four lakes are also available for boating. Whether you want to launch your own craft or rent a boat at Lake Anne (in-season only), ample opportunities exist to get on the water. We suggest taking your favorite book out, having a floating picnic or fishing for largemouth bass.
A free general access permit for hand-carried boats to four lakes is available at RA headquarters, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, during regular office hours. Proof of boat size is required. The concrete boat ramp at Lake Audubon, off of Twin Branches Road, is available to launch boats from trailers. (Electric motors only) Access points are monitored between April and October.
Other general access points for hand-carried boats include: On Lake Thoreau, the grassy area by the underpass at the intersection of South Lakes Dr. and Ridge Heights Road; On Lake Anne, the area at the north end of the dam at the intersection of Wiehle Ave. and Inlet Court; On Lake Newport, at the east end of the dam at the wooden dock.
MAY 25 - SEPTEMBER 24 Boat Reminders
Boats (jon boats, canoes, deck boats, sailboats, etc.) may be up to 18 feet long, and no more than 10 feet wide. One electric motor (no gas motors) up to three horsepower may be used. Inflatables must have three separate compartments and sidewalls. All boats are required to have a wearable flotation device for each passenger on board. All boats left in the water between November 1 and March 31 require a permanent mooring permit. Only lakefront owners may permanently moor a boat on Reston’s lakes. Individual clusters or condo associations which own lakefront property have specific rules regarding mooring boats consistent with RA rules and regulations. For more information, see Resolution 2: Lake Use Access in the Governing Documents download the Boat Guide at http://bit.ly/RABoatGuide.
If you see an abandoned boat floating around or you have lost your boat on our lakes, call Watershed Specialist Will Peterson at 703-435-6535 to help track it down.
WWW.RESTON.ORG | JULY 2017
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