West Virginia Stream Conditions

Weekly Fishing Report -- Updated every Wednesday afternoon

March 17, 2010

FISHING

BEECH FORK – The reservoir is at winter pool. For more information call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304-525-4831. No recent reports. 

BLUESTONE – During the winter season, anglers should fish slowly and methodically.  Fish will still feed but have a slower metabolism.   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 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.  Try to pick a day that is bright and sunny which warms up areas of the lake, especially dark or mud banks.  A few degrees can make a difference!   Right now the tailwaters are high and unfishable with more rain expected.   Anglers should be careful wading this time of year due to the cold water and slippery conditions.  Wear your personal flotation devices at ALL times!

BURNSVILLE – The lake is at winter pool and milky. Fishing is slow. The tailwaters were stocked March 9. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-853-2398.

EAST LYNN – The reservoir is at winter pool. Both the outflow and the reservoir are clear with a surface temperature of 43F degrees. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-849-9861.  No recent reports.

R.D. BAILEY – During the winter season, fish are still active but have a slower metabolism, 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 to try.  Walleye are starting to be creeled by local anglers.  Best places to try are along the shallow clay flats either early or late.  As the year progresses, the walleyes will be moving up the river to begin spawning.  Best baits are jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers.   With any warm, stable weather, fish may become more active.  Try to pick a day that is bright and sunny which warms up areas of the lake, especially dark or mud banks.  A few degrees can make a difference!

STONECOAL LAKE – The lake is approximately five feet above winter pool and milky.  Fishing is slow.   

STONEWALL JACKSON – The lake is approximately three feet above winter pool and milky. Fishing is slow. The tailwaters were stocked March 9. Before heading to the lake please contact Corps of Engineers at 304-269-7463.

SUMMERSVILLE – The lake is approximately 20 feet above winter pool and milky. Fishing is slow.  Trout were stocked in the tailwaters on March 1. If you are looking for a back country trout fishing experience hike down in and enjoy. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-872-5809.

SUTTON – The lake is approximately five feet above winter pool and milky. Fishing is slow. The tailwaters are high and milky. Tailwaters were stocked March 1. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304-765-2705. 

TYGART LAKE – The lake level increased about 80 feet last week but is now dropping. Walleye are spawning in the lake and will continue for the next several weeks.   Bank anglers should try the head of the lake at Cove Run for walleye and white bass. There are lots of walleye and trout in the tailwater and this is the best place in northern West Virginia to fish for them.  Walleyes move through the dam into the tailwater during every high flow (above 5,000 cfs) from mid-December through March.  Walleye fishing is best during higher flows (1,500 to 5,000 cubic feet per second) and trout fishing is best at low flows (less than 1,000 cubic feet per second).  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 still high but walleye and sauger can still be caught at the lock and dam tailwaters and at creek mouths.  A good area for bank anglers is the calm water at the approach to the locks.  Fishing boats are not allowed in this area because of the danger from barges.  Some fish will also move into shallow water along the shore when the river is at a high level.  During normal or low flows, walleyes and sauger will 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.   During higher flows, fish will be active throughout the day. Warm water discharges at power plants attract fish all spring.  Hybrid striped bass can be caught using cut bait or crank baits.  Hybrid striped bass will also move in and out of the tailwaters on an irregular basis.

MONONGAHELA RIVER – The river will be above normal levels while snowmelt is released from Tygart Lake.  Walleye and sauger are concentrated in the lock and dam tailwaters, and also at tributary creek mouths, especially Buffalo, Paw Paw, and Prickett creeks.  Start fishing about an hour before sunset because sauger and walleye will begin feeding at dusk.  Jigs with minnows are particularly good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive.  White or chartreuse are good colors. A good area for bank fishermen is the calm water at the approach to the locks.  Some fish will also move into the shallow water along the shore when the river is at a high level.    Warm water discharges at the Rivesville and Morgantown power plants will attract fish all spring.  A pier at the Morgantown plant makes fishing safe and convenient.     

CHEAT LAKE – Spring anglers should target channel catfish and yellow perch. Yellow perch can be caught trolling slowly at depths of 10 to 20 feet while using minnows or worms on plain hooks and split shot. Keep the bait near the bottom. Channel catfish can be caught by shore anglers using worms in 30 to 40 feet of water.  The embayments at the Cheat Lake Park and Trail are a good area for bank anglers.  Keep track of the lake elevation and predicted daily changes in elevation on the Cheat Lake website at www.cheatlaketoday.com.  You can use this information to determine if the Sunset Beach boat ramp is usable.  The minimum level for boat launching is about 866 feet.  Otherwise use the Cheat Park winter ramp until May 1.

Walleye and sauger should be moving upstream from the Monongahela River to the tailwater during the recent high flows. Try the tailwater fishing pier for walleye and sauger at dark when sauger and walleye begin feeding. The pier is located entirely in West Virginia about 25 minutes from Morgantown.  Take U.S.  Rt. 119 from Morgantown to Point Marion, PA, turn right after crossing the Cheat River and proceed 4 miles to Cheat Dam.  The parking lot is in Pennsylvania but the entire pier is in West Virginia.  The pier is lighted for night fishing and is handicapped accessible. 

EASTERN PANHANDLE

South Branch and Cacapon Rivers - Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are still high, but the water is becoming clear in the upstream reaches. Water temperatures have increased to the lower 40’s and anglers should have great success catching smallmouth bass and trout by the weekend. Some anglers were catch and releasing up to 20 smallmouth bass from a single pool just prior to the high flows. Most public access areas are now clear of snow and should be unusable by anglers. 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 2010 spring trout stocking season is underway and many streams are receiving weekly trout stocking.   Up-to-date information regarding trout stocking can be found online at http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Stocking/DailyStock.shtm or by calling the hunting and fishing hotline at (304) 558-3399.  Hunting and fishing license can be purchased online at https://www.wvhunt.com/wizard/hflw000.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 5000 cfs but are projected to remain at that level for several more days. Flows may drop by the weekend but will still be too high for wade fishing. Angling opportunity will increase as soon as the flows are reduced. No recent reports of angler success from the North Branch. The first scheduled white water release for the North Branch will be on the weekend of April 10 – 11. 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 - Bass, bluegill and catfish should start biting soon and small impoundments are now clear of ice. Many small impoundments received two trout stockings through the ice and fishing was limited due to the snow. Therefore, many small impoundments should have lots of trout and great angling opportunities. Check the fishing regulations to determine small impoundments trout stockings frequency.

Jennings Randolph Lake - Jennings Randolph Lake is currently two feet above conservation pool.   The WV and Maryland boat ramps are scheduled to open April 1 for the season. The lake is still muddy and there are no recent reports of angler success at Jennings Randolph. Jennings Randolph Lake ahs 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 - Anglers at Mt. Storm should target hybrid striped bass and walleye.  Fish are typically oriented around the warm water discharges and fishing with chicken livers near the discharges is always a good bet.  Winter angling is very popular and anglers are still catching great creels of walleye and striped bass as well as largemouth and smallmouth near the discharges. The public boat launch is not accessible and cannot be used for boat launching.

CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Water levels are high and milky, but should return to normal by the weekend. The great March meltdown is on. March trout stockings are in full swing this week.  It’s a great time of year to catch a big walleye! Give walleye fishing a try this week on the Elk River where tributaries run into the main river. Please remember to buy your 2010 fishing license before heading out to your favorite fishing spot. Be careful and use caution when wading out in cold water. If going alone, always tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Check the DNR webpage for statewide trout stockings and updated fishing information. www.wvdnr.gov .

SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

The New and Greenbrier rivers are high and off color right now with more rain expected so fishing may be slow there.   Sometimes high water improves the fishing at Kanawha Falls so anglers may also want to try their luck there for musky or walleye (use big chubs for bait) or lake anglers can find some excellent bass fishing at Plum Orchard Lake and Stephens Lake.  Best baits are plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom, spinnerbaits are also good choices.   Anglers should call ahead to make sure that the ramps are not iced over.   

SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA

Lower Ohio and Kanawha rivers – Fishing is OK along the navigable rivers and their locks for multiple species (bass, drum, walleye, sauger, hybrids) but cold!! Check locations visually or check online for flow levels http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt prior to fishing rather than wasting a trip. Sauger and walleye are being caught at many of the locks right now on various lures and bait.

Guyandotte and Coal rivers – No recent reports.

Poca River – No recent reports.

Elk River – Early spring is an excellent time to pursue muskie, give them a try using large plugs, spinnerbaits and in-line spinners such as the ‘double cowgirl’. But, recently all streams and rivers have been high and muddy. Once the streams come back down, try for muskie and walleye using preferred lures (jigs, crankbaits and soft plastics). Walleye will be spawning over the next few weeks, try for them at creek mouths, below shoal areas and near structure. 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 (total length = tip of snout to maximum length with the tail fin lobes squeezed together, location of capture, tag number) from the tagged fish. Flyers have been placed at put-ins, and in small tackle/convenient stores along the Elk River in Braxton, Clay, and Kanawha counties. Your participation is much appreciated.

Mud River – No current reports.

Small Impoundments –Trout stockings began in January. Currently most stockings have been delayed due to bad weather and snow. Check the online site or call the stocking hotline at 304-558-3399 for current information.

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.  Most WV Reservoirs are currently covered in ice.

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.  Streams/rivers are still cold but we have made the shift towards spring. Try lures such as jigs and slow moving crank baits fished very slow. A spinnerbait slow rolled off of structure and timber is a great lure to try. White and chartreuse are two preferred colors for bass.

WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Trout have been stocked into several lakes throughout the area; these include Mile Tree Lake in Roane County, Mountwood Park Lake in Wood County, Rollins and Turkey Run lakes in Jackson County, Tracy Lake and Pennsboro Water Supply Reservoir in Ritchie County, Conaway Run Lake in Tyler County, and Cedar Creek State Park Ponds in Gilmer County.  In March all of these lakes will be stocked again.  Check the Daily Trout Stocking report for the latest at (304) 558-3399 or on the web at http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Stocking/DailyStock.shtm .  This information is updated daily at 4:00 pm, January through May.  Trout anglers can use a variety of baits including small worms; mealworms, salmon eggs, cheese, or trout power bait.  When lakes are not frozen small spinners, Joe type flies, and trout magnets also work well. 

This is a good time to fish Ohio River Tail-waters, and sauger and walleye however fishing has been slow this winter.  Anglers fishing below the Belleville and Willow Island dams are catching a few sauger, walleye, and a few other species.  Rigs using suspended minnows or lead headed jigs with twister tails (white or chartreuses), which are fished along the bottom, are the lures of choice.  When the river is running high and muddy clever anglers are tipping their jig hooks with minnows.  Best spots to fish these areas include eddies and back-current sections, and anywhere that river flows are unusual slow.  Warm water discharges associated with industrial facilities hold fish in the winter along the Ohio River.  Best bet for lures here include crank baits and rubber jigs.  Expect to catch white bass, hybrid striped bass and a few other species at these hot spots.

Fishing for largemouth bass can be good during warm sunny days in area lakes. Slowly fished rubber worms or jig-and-pig combos are good terminal tackle choices. Area lakes with good winter bass angling opportunities include Mountwood in Wood County, Conaway Run in Tyler County, Charles Fork in Roane County, North Bend Lake in Ritchie County, and Elk Fork, Woodrum, and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County.

Musky streams are expected to be fishable this weekend. Winter musky anglers use medium to large lures, and they concentrate their fishing efforts around brush piles or other areas of good cover.  Middle Island Creek, the major streams in the Hughes River system, and the Little Kanawha River are good area musky waters.