bluecordfishermen 
Bowie’s Pond, Fort A.P. Hill VA Lat / Long: 38.096141 -77.379584
Description:
Bowie Pond is a large pond formed from a man made dam that parrallels VA Highway 2 on the western border of Fort A.P. Hill. Located on the North half of Fort A.P. Hill, west of the road intersection of A.P. Hill drive and. This lake is about 160 yards wide and 600 yards long. The west
half of the lake is deep and clear of surface vegetation. An artificial structure of rocks is in the middle of the pond, about 75 yards from the dam breast. This point is marked with a large buoy. The east half is shallow and has large beds of lily pads. The southern bank is steep with the channel along the southern shore. This pond has a lot of open water and some large fish. You can find bass (numerous types), pickerel, crappie, fall fish, panfish. This lake has the best potential for very large fish.
Peter’s Observations:
This is a big lake and gets very little pressure. The route is not well maintained and you may need a chain saw to get to the boat launch. Twice, I ran into downed trees that blocked getting to the lake. Evening fishing is best along the shaded southern bank. However, I missed a trophy bass at the artificial rock pile on the first cast at the buoy at 3:00 pm on a July day. The lily pads are the most productive areas especially near the southern shore. This pond offers surprises to include otters that will circle your kayak in the evening. Biggest surprise was a 30 inch pickerel that I caught using a fly rod fishing for pan fish using a dry fly. The 30 inches is an estimate. The one fact I knew for sure at the time was that there was not enough room in my kayak for his teeth and my legs. The 4 pound test tippet broke when I had him ¾’s out of the water. That was a fight that lasted ten minutes and included towing the anchored kayak. I have caught more varieties of fish in the pond than any other at Ft AP Hill.
Access:
Fort AP Hill is a closed post and has traffic control points to control who gets on the installation. This limits pressure on the fishing. Fishing permits are required. It’s a requirement to log in electronically to the iSportsman website to clock in as well as when you depart. Failure to do so will lock you account. There is no buffer for the not later than time to check out. Checking out also includes reporting your catch by species for that day. The installation management sets these rules. See the Fort AP Hill Info page for details.
The back forty at Fort A.P. Hill has limited cell phone coverage. This will limit the utility of a smart phone to navigate to Bowie Pond. Maps are obtainable at the Wildlife Management office. As a warning, it is very easy to get turned around on Ft AP Hill. Use the odometer and a compass with a map or sketch to navigate. Also be warned that the MPs patrolling the roads are quick to pull you over for infractions be they ever so slight.
The dam breast [Lat/Long: 38.095480 -77.380267] on the western end of Bowie Pond can be reached from VA Highway 2 (Fredericksburg Turnpike).
Point #1. Gate to Main post off US Highway 301 [Lat/Long: 38.072037 -77.321498]
Point #2: Intersection of A.P. Hill Drive and Fortune Road.
Point #3: Intersection of Fortune Road and Jeff Davis Drive.
Point #4: Intersection of Jeff Davis Drive and Thornton Road.
Point #5: Access road to Bowie Pond. [Lat/Long: 38.106954 -77.379508]
Point #6: Boat Launch [Lat/Long: 38.097513 -77.379217]
Point #7: Access off VA Highway 2 [Lat/Long: 38.095480 -77.380267]
Launch Site: There is not good launch site. You have to fight the brush or terrain to get a kayak into the water. Launching a boat from a trailer is possible but it would be a challenge. In my Father’s words: It’s a snakee area.
Bank Fishing: The best location for bank fishing is off the dam breast. There is an old fishing dock adjacent to the boat launch. The structural integrity of the dock is suspect. I walked out on it in 2014. Since then it has significantly deteriorated and did not attempt to venture out on the structure.
Timing: Early Spring is great for bass. I have had some luck in the heat of July.
Hot Spots:
Point A: Artificial Structure/rock pile marked with a buoy. Bass hangout
Point B: Panfish
Point C: Bass all along the lily pads
Point D: Eastern end of navigable portion of pond. Bass in the lily pads and the cove.
Point E: Bass located along both sides of the channel and in the channel.
Point F: Bass on the point of the lily pad bed and in the channel
LOGISTICS:
Lodging: Fort A.P. Hill is in rural VA. Several local hotels are near by but even I haven’t stayed in them. Post MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation) runs the lodging on Post and they have comfortable rooms for cheap rates (30-60 per night). The rooms include a microwave, small range and fridge. Several of the lakes on post have cabins near Travis Lake. Camping is available and the camp sites have electric hook ups. A lodge is located at the camp ground that includes washers and dryer. Vending machines are located are inside. Tent camping is $5/night.
Food: Home cooked Breakfast and Lunch is available at the New Yorker Restaurant that is on US 301 between Fort AP Hill and Bowling Green. Closest town is Bowling Green. Two Italian restaurants, a subway, Pizza Hut and a Grocery store are your options for meals. A small shopette runs on random hours on Post at Camp Wilcox cantonment area (Lat/Long 38.1038 -77.2922).
Tackle: Bowling Green has a great tackle shop: MIKE’s Outdoor Shop, 113 Milford street Bowling Green VA 22427 Phone # (804) 633-2660.