Lake Anna is a 13,000 acre reservoir in the rolling fields and forested triangle formed by the cities of Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, and Richmond, Virginia. The lake was created by Virginia Electric and Power Company, now Dominion Resources, Inc., in 1972 to serve as a recreational lake and provide cooling water for the North Anna Power Station.

Lake Anna was formed by damming the North Anna River, one of the principal tributaries of the Pamunkey and York Rivers.

The lake's 200+ miles of shoreline are dotted with houses, marinas, campgrounds and a large state park. Lake Anna and its watershed lie astride three counties of Central Virginia with a rich history and diversified environment. Louisa County on the south side of Lake Anna encompasses over 50% of the watershed. Orange County to the northwest of Lake Anna  is the smallest county in both area and population, and comprises about 25% of the watershed. Spotsylvania County to the north of Lake Anna contains only 20% of the lake watershed, but is the most populous and rapidly growing of the three counties.

Lake Anna is one of Virginia’s premier fishing waters, hosting a fish population of striped bass, largemouth bass, perch, crappies, catfish, and bluegill, and is the site of numerous bass tournaments.  The lake is served by over half a dozen marinas and several public boat launching sites which charge a small fee for launching services. For everyone's safety, the lake is patrolled by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ game wardens, county sheriff’s offices, a Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla, and three local flotillas.