West Virginia Stream Conditions

Weekly Fishing Report -- Updated every Wednesday afternoon

November 18, 2009

FISHING

BEECH FORK –The annual fall drawdown is underway. For more information call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304-525-4831 Bass have been caught using Carolina rigged worms, flukes, crankbaits, and shad imitating lures (match the size). 

BLUESTONE – Fishing on the lake has been good.  Bass anglers should try around deeper structure such as rocky points or downed trees using small crankbaits, or spinnerbaits.  Although, plastics and live bait are probably the top producing baits.  With the cooler nights we are now experiencing, anglers should see the bites really beginning to pick up as the water temperature falls.  Channel and flathead catfish are still producing some on the lake.  Anglers wanting to catch the whiskered ones should try drifting with live bait such as softshell crayfish, hellgrammites, or nightcrawlers. Chicken livers are also good.  When you catch one, simply motor back up and drift through the hole again or anchor. Flatheads prefer live bait such as large chubs or a live sunfish. Carp, hybrid stripers, and smallmouth bass are hitting in the tailwaters with best baits being corn, chartreuse jigs, and plastic jigs. 

BURNSVILLE – The lake is at summer pool and clear.  For bass try shallow water and structure. Walleye have also been caught off points. Crappie have moved out deeper and are hitting minnows and jigs.  For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-853-2398.

EAST LYNN – The reservoir is approximately 2.5 feet below summer pool due to the annual fall drawdown that began November 1, 2009. Both the outflow and the reservoir are clear with a surface temperature of 51F degrees. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-849-9861. Catches of various species reported (catfish, bass, panfish). A few nice muskies boated recently from around downed trees and vegetation on plugs. 

R.D. BAILEY – Fishing on the lake is good.  Some large spotted bass may be caught.  Some of the largest spotted bass in WV are found in R. D. Bailey Lake.  The spotted bass will be found along the rocky drops with clay points another good spot to try.  Good baits are plastic jigs, live shad or crayfish.  These bass can be found moving into shallower water to feed now that the nights are getting cooler and the water temperature is dropping some.   Anglers should see the bite picking up for most species as the water temperature falls.  Hybrid striped bass feed on shad so fishermen should watch for any schools of shad because the hybrid will usually be nearby.  Best baits are lures such as rattletraps, spoons, or white/chartreuse jigs. Anglers may also want to try chicken liver for this hard fighting fish.

STONECOAL LAKE – The lake is five feet below summer pool and clear. A few trout have been caught this past week on powerbait. Bass and panfish are also being caught in and around structure. A few catfish are also being caught in the evenings. Crappie have moved up and are being caught on minnows and jigs.

STONEWALL JACKSON – The lake is approximately four feet below summer pool and milky. For bass try shallow water and around structure.  Crappie are in deeper water. Try trolling with minnows and around bridges in 15 feet of water. A few musky have been caught this week trolling. Before heading to the lake please contact Corps of Engineers at 304-269-7463.

SUMMERSVILLE – The lake is approximately 23 feet below summer pool and clear. A few walleye have been caught in 10-15 feet of water. Bass and panfish are also being caught in and around structure.  Trout were stocked in the tailwaters on October 28 by helicopter. 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 16 feet below summer pool and clear. Bass have moved out to about 10 feet of water and fishing is good. Crappie and panfish are on structure and hitting jigs and minnows.  Try fish attractors and blow downs. About 500 pounds of trout were stocked in the tailwaters on October 20.  Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304-765-2705. 

TYGART LAKE – The lake is currently 40 feet below the summer pool and fish are actively feeding. As the lake falls, try using crawfish imitating lures along the shoreline to target largemouth and smallmouth bass. Look for schools of white bass breaking water on the surface while feeding on minnows. Chase the schools and make long casts with spoons or jigs with 3-inch grubs for fast action. Walleye are scattered throughout the lake and their depths vary during the day. Using minnows during the day in depths up to 40 feet can be an effective method to catch walleye. Walleye move into shallow water to feed at dusk. The fall trout stocking has been completed and there are still large brood trout present in the tailwater and downstream through Grafton. 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): Fish are actively feeding as water temperatures decrease. The river is at a seasonal low and fish are attracted to currents at lock and dam tailwaters. Minnows are excellent baits to catch walleye and sauger within these tailwaters, but 3-inch plastic white or chartreuse grubs will catch fish as well. Use large crankbaits or float chicken liver under a bobber to catch large hybrid striped bass in tailwaters.

MONONGAHELA RIVER – Fish are actively feeding as water temperatures decrease. Muskies have been stocked for many years and are an under utilized fish in the Monongahela  River. Trolling large crankbaits has been productive during the past month. Fishing in the tailwaters downstream of the lock and dams along Monongahela River is very productive for most species while the river flow is low and water temperatures are decreasing. Sauger and walleye will begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive. Carp are abundant in the vicinity of the Star City boat ramp. Channel catfish are abundant throughout the river and can be caught on cut bait, chicken liver and nightcrawlers. 

CHEAT LAKE – The winter operation schedule will begin November 1 which allows the lake elevation to decrease as much as 13 feet until April 1. The winter boat ramp at the Cheat Lake Park will be opened for reliable boat access. Cheat Lake has an excellent channel catfish population and they can be caught throughout the lake using cut bait, chicken liver, and nightcrawlers. However, channel catfish are particularly numerous upstream of Mt. Chateau. Using spoons, jigs, or casting spinners to catch white bass feeding on minnows throughout the lake can lead to very fast fishing action. Smallmouth bass are increasing throughout Cheat Lake and largemouth bass are also abundant. Cheat Lake Park located near the dam is a good area for bank anglers to catch channel catfish, sunfish, and bass. 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 normal or slightly above normal flow and the water is clear. Water temperatures increased this week due to the mild air temperatures but are now dropping back to the upper 40’s. Smallmouth bass are still being caught on plastics throughout the pools. 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.

Fall trout stocking is complete but lots of holdover trout should remain especially since the stream flows have increased. Check the 2009 fishing regulations to determine if your favorite water is scheduled to receive fall stocking.  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 250 cfs and are projected to drop to 150 by the weekend. Overall trout fishing has been great and lots of 20 plus inch trout have been caught in the catch and release.  Anglers are catching lots of big trout due to recent trout stockings by the Maryland DNR and the flows are great for wade fishing.  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 -  Anglers fishing in small impoundment are still having great success.  Bass, bluegill and catfish are in their winter pattern so try fishing slow moving plastics in about 10-15 feet of water. Select small impoundments have received fall trout stockings and some anglers are still catching trout over 4 pounds. Check the fishing regulations to determine which small impoundments received fall trout stockings.

Jennings Randolph Lake - Jennings Randolph Lake is currently 26 feet below conservation pool and dropping slowly.  The WV boat ramp is closed for the season. The Maryland ramp will remain open for launching boats. 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, largemouth, and smallmouth bass.  Recent biological surveys have indicated good bass, bluegill and walleye populations. Anglers have been doing well fishing for bass and some anglers are catching 15 bass per day. Fishing with chicken liver near the discharges is always a good bet.

CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Water levels are normal and clear.  The October trout stockings have been completed. Shavers Fork, Buckhannon River, Elk River and Spruce Knob Lake received stockings.  Check the DNR webpage for statewide trout stockings and updated fishing information www.wvdnr.gov .

SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

The New and Greenbrier rivers are continuing to provide some good fishing for smallmouth bass.  The fall season is always great fishing and great scenery too.  Reports of some large bass have come in from the Catch and Release section on the New.  This section is from the I-64 bridge downstream to the take-out at the Grandview Sandbar.  Anglers should try plastic jigs fished slowly along the bottom.  Spots below or above shoals are good spots to try.  Southern WV is blessed with many small impoundments that have good fish populations.  Waters such as Plum Orchard, Stephens, and Pipestem lakes have excellent largemouth bass populations and as fall approaches the time is prime to be on the waters. As the water cools, anglers will be seeing the bite pick up significantly.

SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA

Lower Ohio and Kanawha rivers – Fishing is good along the navigable rivers and their locks for multiple species (bass, drum, walleye, sauger, hybrids). 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 – Habitat structures have recently been placed in the Little Coal River, try a float trip which includes a reach with some of the structures. Anglers are doing well on Rebel crawfish, pumpkinseed soft plastics and small jigs for smallmouth. Muskie stocked recently in the Coal are being caught as well. Additional reports of catfish (both flatheads and channel) biting well from anglers using liver and fresh cut bait.

Poca River – Reports of catfish being caught on various baits. A recent report included a 50 pound flathead caught on a large muskie lure.

Elk River – Reports of muskie and smallmouth caught recently. Fall 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 –Try your favorite lures and bait for bass and bluegill. 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. Liver and prepared ‘stink’ baits work well also. Try during the warmer parts of the day or during warmer weather for greater success as we progress into late fall.

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 in area reservoirs is improving due to falling temperature levels for all species but we are also approaching a time when cold weather becomes more of a factor. Try fishing during the warmer part of the day or during warm spells to increase your success.

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.  With decreasing water temperature levels characteristic of fall, all species will become active again and can be caught under most conditions throughout the day. Remember, fish are cold-blooded and will react accordingly to environmental conditions and temperature changes. Wise anglers will keep this in mind with the upcoming change of seasons to be consistently successful. For example, early in the morning, fish areas warmed first by the sun for bass. As the overall temperature levels rise and the sun gets high in the sky, choose shaded or deeper habitat. Fishing through the fall is a time of transition, for the angler and for most species of gamefish.

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. Muskie streams are expected to be fishable this weekend and excellent muskie 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 muskie anglers use large crankbaits or jerkbaits, 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 year.

Deer hunters along the Ohio River also have great opportunities for the combination. The fall is an excellent time to fish Ohio River Tailwaters. 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 chartreuse), 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 section, and anywhere that river flows are unusual.