West Virginia Stream Conditions

Weekly Fishing Report -- Updated every Wednesday afternoon

January 27, 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 fair. 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 45F 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 walleye 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 five feet below summer pool. Fishing is fair.

STONEWALL JACKSON – The lake is approximately one foot above winter pool, and milky. Fishing is fair. Before heading to the lake please contact Corps of Engineers at 304-269-7463.

SUMMERSVILLE – The lake is approximately 12 feet above winter pool and clear. Fishing is fair.  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 above winter pool and milky. Fishing is fair. Some trout still remain in the tailwaters from the fall trout stockings. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304-765-2705. 

TYGART LAKE – The lake level has increased 30 feet this week but the ice is gone. Call the Corps of Engineers telephone hotline at 304-265-5953 for daily lake and tailwater conditions. The tailwater temperature is 36 degrees. There are trout and walleye in the tailwater for hardy anglers.  Lots of walleye will be moving into the tailwater during the current high flows.

NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

OHIO RIVER (New Cumberland, Pike Island, and Hannibal pools and tailwaters): The mouths of tributaries are good places to fish during the winter, particularly during the present high water conditions. Fish will move into the mouths to escape the current of the main river and conserve energy. Sauger can be very abundant in these areas, particularly if there is a deep hole nearby. The mouth of Fishing Creek below New Martinsville is one of the better wintering areas. The mouth of Fishing Creek can also be a good area for bank anglers to catch hybrid striped bass. Other good areas during high water are Fish Creek, Wheeling Creek and Buffalo Creek.  Heated industrial and power plant discharges also attract hybrids all winter.

MONONGAHELA RIVER – Water levels are high again. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters but will be active during the day when the water is turbid. The Westover side of the river below the Morgantown lock can be productive during high water conditions. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive. Muskies can be caught by trolling large crank baits.

CHEAT LAKE – Ice is off the lake. The winter boat ramp at the Cheat Lake Park is open for reliable boat access when there is no ice-cover. Cheat Lake has an excellent channel catfish population and they can be caught throughout winter at the Cheat Lake Park. Surprise your friends with a winter channel catfish fry when the ice melts. Keep track of the lake elevation and predicted daily changes in elevation on the Cheat Lake website at www.cheatlaketoday.com

EASTERN PANHANDLE

South Branch and Cacapon Rivers - Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are extremely high and the water is milky to muddy. Flows in upstream areas of the South Branch, North Fork of South Branch and the Los River should be in fishable condition by the weekend. Anglers were catching some nice smallmouth bass in the South Branch on plastics just before the high water. Try fishing the eddies with slow moving plastics as soon as the water begins to drop. 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 has started and a number of stream have already been stocked. Up-to-date information regarding trout stocking can be found online at http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Stocking/DailyStock.shtm or by calling 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 at 2500 cfs and are projected to drop before the weekend.  Flow may still be too high for most anglers but trout can be caught by fishing eddies during high flow conditions. If anglers choose to fish in high flows always use extreme caution. 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 are in their winter pattern and most small impoundments are now free of ice and fishable from the shore. Select small impoundments have started receiving spring trout stockings. Check the fishing regulations to determine which small impoundments receive early spring trout stockings.

Jennings Randolph Lake - Jennings Randolph Lake is currently 22 feet below conservation pool. The WV boat ramp is closed for the season but the Maryland ramp will remain open when weather conditions are suitable. No recent reports of angler success at Jennings Randolph. 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 - Anglers at Mt. Storm should target hybrid striped bass and walleye. Fish are typically oriented around the warm water discharges and fishing with chicken liver near the discharges is always a good bet. Winter angling is very popular and anglers have been catching great creels of walleye and striped bass near the discharges.

CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Water levels are normal and clear. January trout stockings are in full swing this week. Please remember to buy your 2010 fishing license before heading out to your favorite fishing spot. 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 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. Angles 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 – Winter is an excellent time to pursue muskie, give them a try using large plugs, spinnerbaits and in-line spinners such as the ‘double cowgirl’. 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.  Sometimes fall/winter fishing on rivers can be cold and unpleasant but some of the biggest fish of the year are boated during this period. Try larger lures for bass, muskellunge and walleye in local streams/rivers. Jigs, soft plastics and spinnerbaits retrieved at very slow rates can all be effective. Target deeper areas near cover or structure anytime and near riffles or shoal areas during the warmer part of the day for most species of gamefish.

WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Trout have been or will be stocked into several lakes throughout the area. So far this month, trout have been stocked into Mountwood Park Lake in Wood County, Rollins Lake and Turkey Run Lake in Jackson County, Tracy Lake and Pennsboro Water Supply Reservoir in Ritchie County, Mile Tree Lake in Roane County and Cedar Creek State Park Lake in Gilmer County. Check the Daily Trout Stocking report for the latest at 304-558-3399 or on the web at www.wvdnr.gov. This information is updated daily by 4:00 p.m., January through May. So far, trout have been stocked into Rollins, Tracy and Mountwood lakes. Trout angler can use a variety of baits including small worms, mealworms, salmon eggs, cheese or trout power bait. When lakes are not frozen small spinners, Jo type flies, and trout magnets also work well. Area lakes may be frozen, and anglers should use caution before venturing onto the ice. Four inches of new clear ice is the minimum thickness for travel on foot, however there is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice!

Winter is an excellent time to fish Ohio River tailwaters. Anglers fishing below the Belleville and Willow Island dams are catching sauger, walleye, and a few other species. Lead headed jigs with twister tails (white or chartreuses), which are fishing along the bottom, are the lure of choice. When the river is running high and muddy, 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 unusually slow. Warmwater 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.