Western Lakes of Placid Bay Estates
Guidance for using neighborhood lakes
Lakes are available to use by Placid Bay
Estates residents and their guests for fishing, swimming, and boating.
Swim at your
own risk. No diving. No gas-powered boats.
It is our understanding that residents who are property owners do not need a fishing license to fish on the community lakes.
Chrystal Lake
The oldest spring-fed community lake has two fishing docks available to community members. It is open for boating and the best lake for fishing. Parking and access to the dam is on Mattox Ave across from the Placid Bay Event Venue.
The fishing docks at Chrystal Lake have a storied history, dating back to around 1960 when they were initially constructed as a singular, extensive dock for swimming and sunbathing. However, the following decades brought a series of powerful storms that severely damaged this structure. In response to this destruction, the central section of the dock was removed in the 1980s, resulting in the creation of two smaller, separate fishing docks. Over the years, particularly by the 2010s, these docks fell into a state of significant disrepair, becoming hazardous for those wishing to use them. In a generous community-spirited gesture in 2018, local resident Frank Clark undertook the project of refurbishing these docks at his own expense, thereby revitalizing a cherished local landmark.
A 1913 description of Chrystal Lake and the surrounding area can be found on the Wirts Mill page.
Residents Frank and Sue Clark, at their own expense, graciously maintain an oxygen aerator on Chrystal Lake to promote aquatic and waterfowl health.
Historical Note: We beleive this lake was used by the Pissasec, Appomattoc Indians in the early 1600s.
Lake Diableux
Located between Chrystal Lake and the Placid Bay Event Venue, the dams forming this lake were built circa 1960. Its waters are fed from Chrystal Lake and drain to Mattox Creek. You are welcome to fish from the dam or public shore of this lake.
