Hydroelectric reservoir

Cheat Lake

Monongalia County, West Virginia

Cheat Lake is a 13-mile-long reservoir on the Cheat River just east of Morgantown in Monongalia County. It is known for smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye and a recovered mixed fishery.

Air temp in Point Marion, PA Loading current temperature…

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Cheat Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area1,730 acres

Max depth—

Shoreline26 mi

Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Largemouth Bass●●●●○

Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.

Walleye●●●●○

Slot limit applies, see regulations

Smallmouth Bass●●●●○

Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.

Yellow Perch●●●○○

Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.

Channel Catfish●●●○○

Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.

White Bass●●●○○

Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.

Boat launches

5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

Sunset Beach Public LaunchRamp
Only public concrete ramp on the lake, with parking, mid-lake on the east sideDirections ↗
Cheat Lake ParkPublic
Winter boat launch. Summer use is kayaks and paddleboards onlyDirections ↗
Sunset Beach MarinaMarina
Gas, ice, snacks and rentals. Phone (304) 594-0050Directions ↗
Cheat Lake MarinaMarina
Ethanol-free gas, ice, slips. Pay-to-launch ramp. Phone (304) 296-0900Directions ↗
More public accessPublic
See the WV DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

Species	Min size	Daily limit
Walleye Only one walleye over 30 in may be kept	Slot: 20 to 30 in must be released	8
Yellow Perch Special Cheat Lake daily limit	See West Virginia rules book ↗	15

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at West Virginia Division of Natural Resources ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Sportsman's Refuge IncNearby
696 Fairchance Rd, Morgantown, WV 26508(304) 594-9126 Directions ↗
Sportsman's WarehouseNearby
5200 Gateway Dr, Morgantown, WV 26501(681) 443-2000 Directions ↗
Bass Pro ShopsNearby
200 Bass Pro Dr, Morgantown, WV 26501(681) 285-6400 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Cheat Lake ↗

Local tips

Know the walleye slot before you keep one: fish 20 to 30 inches must go back.
Launch at Sunset Beach, the only free public concrete ramp on the lake.
Work bass along docks and rocky points, and look for walleye on deeper structure.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.

More West Virginia lakes

Bluestone Lake Little Blue Run Lake Tygart Lake Sutton Lake Mount Storm Lake East Lynn Lake Burnsville Lake Jennings Randolph Lake All West Virginia lakes →

Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.