Hearthstone Lake fishing

How Hearthstone Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of February. In 2026 it was February 25, 2026, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Elkhorn Lake (5.8 mi) and Dry River (9.9 mi) were stocked more recently. Elkhorn Lake is also stocked with Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout and Dry River is also stocked with Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout.

Fishing Hearthstone Lake

Hearthstone Lake is a 7-acre impoundment in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, managed for both warm-water and cold-water angling opportunities. Trout are stocked from October through May, with stocking resuming in October 2020. Existing channel catfish populations remain in the waterbody. Anglers can access the lake via a primitive boat launch or dirt parking area, and good bank access is available on the south side.

Sources: dwr.virginia.gov

What to watch for

Due to exceptionally dry conditions, a complete fire ban has been implemented, prohibiting all open fires on DWR properties West of I-95 until further notice. A previous drawdown eliminated the warm water sport fish populations within the lake. Additionally, channel catfish stockings have been discontinued until further notice.

What anglers say

According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, biologists are developing a plan to restock, but anglers will need to be patient while fish populations recover. Anglers should also expect lower catch rates over time due to the absence of continued channel catfish stocking efforts.