Lake Drummond is one of the only two natural freshwater lakes in Virginia. It is located between Norfolk and Elizabeth City on a marshy region called the Great Dismal Swamp. The surface of the lake is approximately 3,142 acres and the maximum depth is six feet.

The lake is a fishing spot for many. Although it does not contain as many fish varieties unlike other lakes due to its acidic environment from natural causes, it does breed crappie, yellow perch, chain pickerel, flier, and bullhead catfish. The best sport fishing is for crappie during spring. The bowfin and long nose gar are the most abundant in the lake. These fish grow to a large size and they give enough heart thumping thrills to those whose lines are hooked. Lake Drummond is definitely one fishing spot that sports fishing enthusiast still goes to.

Questions about how the freshwater lake came about arise every now and then as it is a unique feature that not many states in the US have. Scientist thinks the Great Dismal Swamp was created when the Continental Shelf, one of the plates below the earth, made its last big shift. Several theories exist on the origin of Lake Drummond. Scientists believe the lake could have been created by the impact of a meteorite, because its oval shape looks like the impact of a meteor. This meteorite could have been as large as the ones that are thought to have made the Carolina bays. Other people believe that the lake was made by a big underground peat burn about 3,500 to 6,000 years ago. Native American legend talks about “the fire bird” creating Lake Drummond.

People are not sure who discovered the Great Dismal Swamp but there is archeological evidence which indicates human occupation began early 13,000 years ago. By 1650, few Native Americans remained in the area, and European settlers showed little interest in the swamp. In 1665, William Drummond, a future governor of North Carolina, discovered the lake which now bears his name. Exploitations and logging reduced the Swamp about 50% of its original size. It was common practice for merchant ships of the time to fill up water casks with dark stained water from Lake Drummond. With its high tannin content, the water would remain fresh longer on trans-Atlantic voyages.

Lake Drummond and a big section of the Great Dismal Swamp are within the Great Dismal National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1974 to protect the area. North Carolina established a state park to protect the other sections.

Management of the lake is the responsibility the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.