West Virginia Stream Conditions

Weekly Fishing Report -- Updated every Wednesday afternoon

December 3 , 2008

FISHING

BEECH FORK – The reservoir is at summer pool. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-525-5092.  No current fishing reports. If an angler does decide to give one of our reservoirs a try, you might have all of it to yourself right now. Despite colder temperature levels, one can do very well if the proper lure is chosen and presented the right way for bass, walleye or hybrids. A boat is also a good way to access the WMAs around the reservoir for hunting purposes.

BLUESTONE – During winter, anglers should fish slowly and methodically. Fish will still feed but have a slower metabolism as the water cools. A few bass are being caught off rocky points using live minnows. Anglers should look for points that have some cover such as stumps, logs, or ledges. Some hybrid striped bass and striped bass may be caught using large chubs. Anglers should try spots such as at the mouth of the Bluestone Arm or near the dam. With any warm, stable weather, fish may become more active. A few anglers are catching some smallmouth bass in the tailwaters. Successful anglers are using one-eighth ounce white doll flies and gitzits. Anglers should be careful wading this time of year due to the cold water and slippery conditions. Wear your personal flotation devices.

BURNSVILLE – The lake is at winter pool and milky. Water temperatures are in the 40’s and fishing is fair. Bass are in about 10 feet of water and moving in and out of shallow water. Crappie have been hitting minnows around fish attractors. Catfish have been caught on live bait. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-853-2398.

EAST LYNN – The reservoir is at summer pool with a surface temperature of 64 degrees. Both the outflow and the reservoir are clear. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-849-9861. No current fishing reports. If an angler does decide to give one of our reservoirs a try, you might have all of it to yourself right now. Despite colder temperature levels, one can do very well if the proper lure is chosen and presented the right way for bass, walleye or hybrids. A boat is also a good way to access the WMAs around the reservoir for hunting purposes.

R.D. BAILEY – During winter, fish are still active but has a slower metabolism with the colder waters, so anglers should fish slowly and methodically. Spotted bass are hitting plastic jigs in crawfish colors. The spotted bass will be found along the rocky drops with points another good spot. Walleye are starting to be creeled by local anglers. Best places are along the shallow clay flats either early or late. As the year progresses, the walleye will be moving up the river to begin spawning. Best baits are jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers.

STONECOAL LAKE – The lake is six feet below summer pool and cloudy. Water temperatures are in the 40’s and fishing is good.  Bass are in about 10 feet of water. Try fishing in the evenings as the sun goes down or early mornings for the best action. Crappie and bluegill are hitting minnows around fish attractors. Reports of some nice channel catfish being caught in the evenings.  A few trout have also been caught. 

STONEWALL JACKSON – The lake is four feet below winter pool and cloudy. Surface temperature is in the 40’s and fishing is fair. Bass are in about 10 feet of water and moving in and out of shallow water. Reports of a few musky being caught this week trolling. Crappie and bluegill have been hitting live bait and jigs. For more information contact Corps of Engineers at 304-269-7463.

SUMMERSVILLE – The lake is at winter pool, clear, and fishing has been fair. For bass, try 10-15 feet of water around rock points as well as the Battle Run area. Walleye have also been caught off of rock points and shallow areas in the McKee Creek arm of the lake. Outflow temperature is 58. Try fishing in the evenings as the sun goes down or early mornings for the best action for walleye. If you are looking for a back country trout fishing experience hike down in and enjoy. The Gauley River was stocked by helicopter on October 22. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-872-5809.

SUTTON – The lake is one foot above winter pool and clear. Water temperatures are in the 40’s and fishing is fair. Bass have been in 5-10 feet of water. Crappie have been hitting minnows around beaver huts and blown down trees. Boat launching at Bee run and behind the dam only. Trout were stocked in the tailwaters on October 22. For daily information call Corps of Engineers at 304-765-2705. 

TYGART LAKE – The lake is 50 feet below the summer level. This is a good time to target walleye in water 20 to 30 feet deep using minnows or nightcrawlers on a ¼-ounce jig. White bass are common throughout the lake. Spinners, crankbaits, and casting spoons are good baits for white bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass can be caught at depths of 20 to 30 feet using minnows, spinnerbaits or tube jigs.

There are lots of walleye and trout in the tailwater.  The tailwater temperature is 40 degrees and the flow is good for trout fishing. Call the Corps of Engineers telephone hotline at 304-265-5953 for daily lake and tailwater conditions.

NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

OHIO RIVER (New Cumberland, Pike Island, and Hannibal pools and tailwaters): The river is at a seasonal low and fishing will be best in the tailwaters of the locks and dams because fish are attracted to the currents. The most convenient tailwater area is the Hannibal Lock and Dam tailwater at New Martinsville. This is the time of the year to target sauger and walleye which start feeding about an hour before sunset and then throughout the night. Jigs with minnows are particularly good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive. White or chartreuse are good colors. Channel catfish can also be caught by persistent anglers using chicken liver throughout the day and night. Hybrid striped bass will also move in and out of the tailwaters and can be caught using large crankbaits or chicken liver. Look for hybrids breaking the water on the surface as they chase bait fish.

MONONGAHELA RIVER – The water temperature is around 40 degrees. During these seasonal low flows, fish will be attracted to currents in the tailwaters and heated discharges at the power plants. Channel catfish can be caught along the shoreline throughout the river in 10 to 15 feet of water 20 to 50 feet from shore. Minnows or nightcrawlers are the best baits. Start fishing for sauger and walleye about an hour before sunset because they will begin feeding at dusk. Jigs with minnows or worms are particularly good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive. White or chartreuse are good colors.

CHEAT LAKE – The lake is at winter operating level and can fluctuate several feet daily. The winter boat ramp at Cheat Lake Park is now open. The Sunset Beach ramp is not usable below a lake elevation of 865 feet. Fishing is good throughout the lake. A fish survey two weeks ago found the most walleye in the lower half of the lake between the dam and Sunset Beach. The largest collected was 26-inches. This is one of the best lakes for channel catfish and 2 to 3 pounders are abundant and can be caught all winter. Smallmouth bass are also common along the shoreline above Mt. Chateau. The embayments at the Cheat Lake Park and Trail are good areas for bank anglers to catch sunfish and largemouth bass.  The rock riprap on the lake side of the recreation area also holds lots of fish. Fish for yellow perch in 10-15 feet of water along any shoreline using a piece of a nightcrawler and several split shot. Large sunfish are abundant along the shoreline across from the Sunset Beach cove up to the I-68 bridge.

EASTERN PANHANDLE

South Branch and Cacapon Rivers

Flows in the South Branch River and most rivers in the eastern panhandle are below normal for this time of year and the water is clear. Float trips on the South Branch and Cacapon are still very difficult especially at the downstream end of some pools. Water temperatures are in the lower 50’s and a few anglers are fishing. Anglers should fish for smallmouth bass with slow moving plastics in calm water areas. Smallmouth get easily spooked in clear water conditions so stay as far away from the location you are casting as possible.

Many smallmouth bass in the South Branch have been tagged as part of a fish movement and fish health study. If you catch a tagged fish, please clip off the tag and return it to DNR for a reward.

The 2009 spring trout stocking season begins next month. Many streams and impoundments have trout remaining from the October trout stocking. The new 2009 fishing regulations will be distributed soon, so check the trout stocking schedule to determine when your favorite waters are stocked. Up-to-date information regarding trout stocking can be found online at http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Stocking/DailyStock.shtm or by calling the fishing hotline at 304-558-3399. Hunting and fishing license can be purchased online at https://www.wvhunt.com/wizard/hfw000.asp and digital copies of the hunting and fishing regulations are also available online.

North Branch River

The flows in the North Branch are currently near 125 cfs. Flows are proposed to remain at this level for several more days.  Trout fishing has been slow but holdover trout still remain. Flows in the North Branch can be monitored by watching the USGS stream gages or the Jennings Randolph website (www.nab.usace.army.mil/recreation/jenran/recinfo.htm).

Small Impoundments

Small impoundments are in good fishable condition and bass and bluegill are in their winter pattern. Try slow moving plastics and worms. Bass can be caught from the shore to about 15 feet of water. Some small impoundment may have holdover trout from the October trout stockings.

Jennings Randolph Lake

Jennings Randolph Lake is currently 46 feet below conservation pool and dropping slowly.  The boat ramp on the West Virginia side of the lake is now closed for the season. The ramp on the Maryland side is temporarily closed due to weather and low water.

Anglers should focus on smallmouth by fishing with slow moving plastics and walleye near the head of lake. This is also a great time to target trout. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information (304) 355-2890.  Recreational information can also be found at www.nab.usace.army.mil/recreation/jenran/recinfo.htm.

Mt. Storm Lake

Bass fishing success in Mt. Storm has increased slightly over the past month. Lots of bass are gathering in the rip-rap areas near the dam of the lake. Anglers catch hybrid striped bass near the heated discharge of the power plant all winter long.

CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Water levels are normal, clear with some frozen. Also, the fall trout stocking is complete. A few waters that were stocked were: Shavers Fork, Williams River, and Spruce Knob Lake. It is always a good idea to wear blaze orange when fishing during the hunting seasons. Check the DNR website for statewide trout stockings and updated fishing information (www.wvdnr.gov).

SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

The New and Greenbrier rivers are producing a few smallmouth bass using tube jigs. Best spots are just below a shoal or rapid or in eddies near the shore. Anglers may also want to try Kanawha Falls for walleye (use big chubs for bait) or lake anglers can find some excellent bass fishing at Plum Orchard Lake. Best baits are plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom, spinnerbaits are also good choices.  

SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA

Lower Ohio and Kanawha rivers – Fishing is picking up along the navigable rivers and their locks for multiple species (bass, drum, walleye, sauger, hybrids). But, fish slow and methodical due to colder fall/winter temperature levels. Check locations visually or check online for flow levels http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt prior to fishing rather than wasting a trip. Catfish are biting with reports of channel cats and flatheads from many locations on both rivers.

Guyandotte and Coal rivers – Catfish anglers are having luck using various baits. Anglers finding success on multiple species during float trips on the Coal.

Poca River – No recent reports.

Elk River –The WVDNR is conducting a muskie study on the Elk River currently. If an angler keeps a muskie with what appears to be a metal tag on the dorsal fin, please contact the district office in Pt. Pleasant immediately (304-675-0871). We would like to gather information from the tagged fish. Your participation is much appreciated.

Mud River – No recent reports due to low flows.

Small Impoundments – Try your favorite lures and bait for bass and bluegill, but fish slow and methodical due to falling temperature levels. For catfish, try chicken liver, hot dogs, bubble gum and even soap! Shelled shrimp available at any grocery store is also a good choice as is a “gob” of nightcrawlers fished on the bottom. Take a kid or someone new to fishing out during a warmer day and let theme experience the fun as well!!

Reservoirs –  Check the USACOE website (http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/) and the USGS website (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt) for reservoir and tailrace conditions.  Fishing is good for all species due to more favorable temperature levels in area reservoirs. But, due to evening lows one would be wise to locate and fish areas warmed by the sun early in the a.m. to improve one’s success. A large flat or shallow old roadbed warmed by the early rising sun is both good places to start for bass in the a.m. at this time. Structure found at varying depths fished with light line, jigs and finesse baits is another pattern worth trying at this time of year. Try for catfish and carp by using basic river rigs for terminal tackle. Catfish are biting on gobs of nightcrawlers, liver, cut bait, and live bait, with carp being caught on wheatie balls and other ‘family secret’ recipes of dough bait.

Rivers and Streams – Check the USGS website (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt) for river/stream conditions and check local landings visually before wasting a trip. Most streams and rivers are currently low. A rainstorm at this time of year will bring a flurry of activity and is a great time to hit your favorite stream or river. Rain and increased flows open up new habitat. Additionally many food items are washed into streams or are displaced by rising water. Gamefish will be active to take advantage of these factors. As stressed previously, slow your retrieve for success due to falling temperature levels in WV streams and rivers. Pond Fork and the R.D. Bailey tailwaters were stocked this week for the fall. Early-season hunters and anyone else are encouraged to take advantage of these fishing opportunities. Flows are generally low right now, use stealth, light lines, small lures, and bait to be successful.

WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Now is the time to be thinking about combining fishing with your up coming deer hunting trip.  The West-Central part of West Virginia offers a variety of opportunities for this combination.  Musky streams are expected to be fishable this weekend and excellent musky populations can be found in the following waters:  The Little Kanawha River, The Hughes River and its major Forks, Middle Island Creek, and Mill and Sandy Creeks in Jackson County.  Fall musky anglers use large crank baits or jerk baits, and riffle areas are hot spots.

Anglers seeking bass after the hunt also have many choices of water to consider.  Conaway Run Lake in Tyler County, North Bend, Tracy, and Pennsboro lakes in Ritchie County, Mountwood Lake in Wood County, Charles Fork Lake in Roane County, and Elk Fork, Woodrum, and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County all have excellent largemouth bass populations.  Slowly fished bass lures are the baits of choice this time of the year.

Deer hunters along the Ohio River also have great opportunities for the combination.  The fall is an excellent time to fish Ohio River Tail-waters.  Anglers fishing below the Belleville and Willow Island dams are catching sauger, walleye, hybrid striped bass, and a few other species.  Lead headed jigs with twister tails (white or chartreuses), which are fished along the bottom, are the lure of choice.  Clever anglers are tipping their jig hooks with minnows or shad.  Small suspending Rapala’s (silver with a blue back) also work quite well.  Best spots to fish these areas include eddies and back-current sections, and anywhere that river flows are unusual.