• People standing on Norton Reservoir shoreline.
  • Person fishing at Norton Reservoir.
  • Norton Reservoir in the snow.
  • Norton Reservoir

Norton Reservoirs

The City of Norton has two reservoirs in Flag Rock Recreation Area. The primary purpose of the two reservoirs is provide drinking water to City of Norton residents and businesses but they also offer wonderful recreational opportunities.

The 9.8-acre Upper Reservoir is a state stocked trout fishery. Kayaks/canoes and electric motor boats are allowed on the Upper Reservoir. The Reservoir Trailhead for the Flag Rock Area Trails system is also located at this site. See below for fishing regulations for the city’s reservoirs.

Stocking

Norton Reservoir is a state-stocked trout water. Stocking occurs annually between Oct. 1 and May 15.

Licenses

A Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources trout license is required between Oct. 1 and June 15.

Catch Limit

Trout: Six fish per day. Trout less than 7 inches must be released.

Catfish: Five fish per day. Catfish less than 15 inches must be released.
Trout and catfish only stocked in Upper Reservoir. Fishing is permitted in Lower Reservoir where all other fishing regulations also apply.

Catch/Release

Norton Reservoir is a catch-and-release fishing area, with the exception of trout and catfish.

Restrictions

Gasoline motors, swimming, and littering are prohibited.

Hours

Oct. 1-June 15: 5 a.m. until one hour after sunset.

June 16-Sept. 30: One hour before sunrise until midnight.

Questions?

For stocking information, visit the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website or call 434-525-FISH. For reservoir information, call Norton’s Parks and Recreation Department, (276) 679-0754.

Fun Facts

The Upper Reservoir was constructed in 1958-59 and provides 66,000,000 gallons of water storage at full capacity. The full pool elevation is 3,317 feet and the deepest point is 52.5 feet. The reservoir is fed by two springs/runoff streams.

The Lower Reservoir was constructed in 1929 and provides 58,000,000 gallons of water storage at full capacity. The full pool elevation is 3,238 feet and the deepest point is 60.0 feet. The lower reservoir is fed from flow coming from the Upper Reservoir.