Breckenridge Reservoir, at the Quantico Marine Corps Base, is one of my favorite small lakes close to home.
I was in trouble with the Basswife because I had not taken her fishing as much as she wanted to go last year. Therefore, on the first good day, when there was the possibility of not floating on chocolate milk, we rolled down to this small reservoir. As I pushed the canoe down the gravel ramp and into the water, it appeared to that the access creek was shallower than normal.
I confirmed this as I attempted to drop the trolling motor into the water to push us out to the main lake. It was constantly churning of mud on the bottom and I was even more amazed when we turned the corner for the final run to the lake to see that due to our recent storms, a large tree now leans precipitously over the channel. All it will take is a strong wind when the ground is wet, and that tree will block the channel unless your boat is small enough to maneuver to the side and pull over the tree trunk.
If you use a canoe or a kayak, this will not be a problem. I have seen larger bass boats on this lake churning away with their trolling motors and, as soon as this tree goes down, this lake will be off-limits to them until the tree decomposes or the maintenance people clear it.
Once on the main lake, I was disappointed to see that the water still had a slight brown stain. This would make fishing difficult. We churned around for the next two hours and caught a few small bass and a decent-sized catfish. Nothing to brag about and certainly nothing worth taking a picture of.
We saw one other boat on the lake as we moved around the first turn, and a second boat entered the lake as we left. The pressure continues to be light on this great little plot of water. I think two things keep it that way. The first is the hurdle of buying a Quantico fishing permit (you can buy one at Lunga Reservoir), and the second is the shallow channel that must be negotiated before reaching the lake.
Bottom line: It’s still a great place to fish.
Getting there: Take the exit 148 off I95, go right. A few miles after the Marine checkpoint, turn right following the signs to Camp Upshur. A mile or so after the turn, you will see a marked road “New Breckinridge”. Turn right on that and follow it to the end.
Breckenridge Lake Fishing Secrets Revealed? No. This is a very public location that is documented in the base fishing regulations.
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Date Fished: 5/21/2011
Entrance will be blocked for anything other than a canoe or kayak if this tree falls
Chocolate tinge to the water
Happy Basswife with foot in the water and shade on her head
Flowers in full bloom
Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore