Last stocked
May 8, 2026
Plants on record
51
Species recorded
3
Elevation
2,548 ft
Access and facts
- Water type
- reservoir
- Nearest town
- Wise, VA
- Shore access
- Yes
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- Fee required
- No
- Facilities
- restrooms
Bear Creek Reservoir (also called Wise Reservoir), about 4 miles from Norton, is the Town of Wise's water-supply lake: fishing and non-motorized boating, with a boat ramp, parking, and restrooms. Admission is free.
Sources: water_type , access.shore , access.boat_ramp , access.fee , access.shore , nearest_town , facilities , fishing_notes , fishing_notes , watch_outs
How Bear Creek Reservoir is stocked
The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of March. In 2026 it was February 19, 2026, earlier than usual.
Bark Camp Lake (7 mi) and Little Stony Creek (9.6 mi) were stocked more recently. Bark Camp Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout and Little Stony Creek is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout.
Fish at Bear Creek Reservoir
Fishing Bear Creek Reservoir is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 21 of 28 plants on record, ahead of Brook Trout and one more.
Rainbow Trout 21 plants
- Plants
- 21 of 51
- Last stocked
- May 8, 2026
Brook Trout 6 plants
- Plants
- 6 of 51
- Last stocked
- April 10, 2026
Tiger Trout 1 plant
- Plants
- 1 of 51
- Last stocked
- April 10, 2026
Fishing Bear Creek Reservoir
Bear Creek Reservoir, which is also known as Wise Reservoir, is a 26.3-acre lake that provides the water supply for the Town of Wise. This lake is open to fishing and non-motorized boating. It is also a good venue for kayaking and wildlife watching, although heavily used by anglers and picnickers.
Sources: explorenortonva.com , dwr.virginia.gov
What to watch for
Anglers should note that Northern watersnake are fairly common in these waters and can often be found basking along the banks.
Stocking history
Showing 15 of 51 plants Showing 51 plants
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| April 10, 2026 | Tiger Trout | – | – | report |
| April 10, 2026 | Brook Trout | – | – | report |
| March 19, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| February 19, 2026 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| October 28, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| May 9, 2025 | Brook Trout | – | – | report |
| May 9, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| April 18, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| March 18, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| December 10, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| October 31, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| May 10, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| April 19, 2024 | Brook Trout | – | – | report |
| April 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| March 19, 2024 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| December 14, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| October 27, 2023 | Brook Trout | – | – | report |
| May 15, 2023 | Brook Trout | – | – | report |
| April 24, 2023 | Brook Trout | – | – | report |
| March 1, 2023 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| November 28, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| October 31, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| May 13, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| April 25, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| March 22, 2022 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| December 2, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| October 26, 2021 | Rainbow Trout | – | – | report |
| May 5, 2021 | – | – | – | report |
| April 14, 2021 | – | – | – | report |
| March 11, 2021 | – | – | – | report |
| November 13, 2020 | – | – | – | report |
| October 28, 2020 | – | – | – | report |
| May 13, 2020 | – | – | – | report |
| March 17, 2020 | – | – | – | report |
| December 9, 2019 | – | – | – | report |
| October 30, 2019 | – | – | – | report |
| May 15, 2019 | – | – | – | report |
| April 19, 2019 | – | – | – | report |
| March 18, 2019 | – | – | – | report |
| November 14, 2018 | – | – | – | report |
| October 22, 2018 | – | – | – | report |
| May 3, 2018 | – | – | – | report |
| April 9, 2018 | – | – | – | report |
| March 16, 2018 | – | – | – | report |
| February 21, 2018 | – | – | – | report |
| October 11, 2017 | – | – | – | report |
| April 18, 2017 | – | – | – | report |
| April 14, 2017 | – | – | – | report |
| March 24, 2017 | – | – | – | report |
| February 8, 2017 | – | – | – | report |
Show 36 more plants Show less
Species stocked here
Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.