Anglers throughout Virginia and neighboring states want to know "how are the fish bitin'?" To provide some answers, more than 25 license agents, marinas, fishing guides, and bait shops have volunteered to serve as contacts for information on recent fishing conditions for primary rivers and lakes throughout the state. Sarah White, outdoor writer and regular contributor to Virginia Wildlife magazine, prepares this Fishin' Report from interviews with these contacts the week prior to publication of the Outdoor Report.

The Fishin' Report is only available as part of your free subscription to the Outdoor Report.

The rivers and lakes featured in the Fishin' Report are listed by VDGIF Administrative Regions so you can quickly locate the area in which you are most interested. Consult the regional location map to find the major river or lake you want to know about.

For regulations and conditions on saltwater fishing, visit the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) website. Mandatory Saltwater Angler Registry: Effective January 1, 2010, there is a new requirement that saltwater anglers obtain a federal registry number by calling 1-888-674-7411, or online at www.CountMyFish.noaa.gov.

The new 2010 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia (Fishing Regulations) book has been published and a copy can be obtained at the upcoming fishing and hunting shows, all license agents and Department offices. VDGIF Fisheries Division Director, Gary Martel, notes, "This publication not only contains the fishing regulations, but an extensive 'Let's Go Fishing' section, with information about major sport fish, public fishing lakes, major fishing rivers, and the trout stocking program. Also, you can find information about fish citations, state records, angling education programs, exotic species, and more." The Freshwater Fishing Regulations section, including the complete Trout Fishing Guide, on our website have also been updated for 2010.
Fishing Expo Moves to Meadow Event Park January 21-23

The Richmond Fishing Expo is moving to the new Meadow Event Park near Doswell for the January 21-23, 2011 return to the Richmond area. The family-oriented show is geared to be a fun and educational experience for all who attend. Whether you are a fly fishing enthusiast, a bass fisher, saltwater, lake or river angler, this show has something for everyone in the family. Again this year, your admission ticket will allow you to return to the Show another day. There will be conservation organizations represented and an incredible selection of outfitters, fishing charters, boating suppliers, and seminar presenters. Numerous nationally-known speakers will hold seminars to teach skills and share some great stories of their adventures and experiences. VDGIF staff will be on hand to answer questions on agency programs, angling education, special training events, and opportunities to enjoy Virginia's great outdoors. The Outdoor Report e-newsletter will also have an exhibit l featuring Fishin' Report contributing reporters answering your questions on where to get the latest "how are they bitin'" info on more that 25 primary lakes and rivers statewide. Volunteers from the VDGIF Complementary Work Force will be on hand describing opportunities for volunteers to assist in carrying out a variety of agency programs. For information visit the Show website.
Give the Gift of a Fishing Trip with Family and Friends...

Outdoor Report Editor David Coffman offers a special gift idea to share with family and friends AND support your area fishing related businesses... Consider booking a fishing trip with some of the many guides that contribute their experience and expertise to the Fishin' Report each edition. Their websites and telephone numbers are listed with their reports. Also support your local bait shop, sporting goods store, marina, or other area retail businesses to help support your local economy. Visit any of the upcoming sportsman expos to learn from the pros. Also shop for a new personal flotation device for you or a fishing buddy. This is a meaningful gift that can be life-saving. There are new inflatable models that are more comfortable for adults allowing improved range of motion for casting. Also remember that a portion of your purchases of licenses and fishing equipment comes back to wildlife management agencies to fund management and research programs to enhance your sport. Remember it's the sportsmen that pay for conservation. Best wishes for a New Year of tight lines and calm waters.
Orange County Teen Anglers Raise Scholarship Funds at Lake Anna Tournament

The 5th Annual Joseph Thomson Memorial Scholarship Tournament sponsored by the Orange County 4-H and Jr. B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Chapter was recently held at Lake Anna out of Sturgeon Creek Marina. Twenty-one boats participated with teams consisting of 3 anglers; 1 adult boat captain and two youths 18 years of age or younger. The team of Capt. Mark McGhee with Dylan McGhee and Rachael Lam won in the Top over-all team weight division with 9.94 lbs. brought to the scales. Second place team winners were Capt. Chris Craft, with Devon Bowling and Jamerson Gallihugh having a total bag weight of 8.05 lbs. Third place was Capt. David Smith with C.J. Garrett and Joe Houck, 7.7 lbs. Fourth place was Scott Davis and Zach Mastin with total bag 5.66 lbs.

The individual Winners for the Big Fish Category were: Boat Captain Scott Davis, 2.79 lbs. 15-18 year old youth - Devon Bowling 1.91 lbs, 11-14 year old Jacob Dodson 1.41 lbs.

The individual Winners for the total bag weight were: Boat Captain; 4.54 lb- Scott Davis; 15-18 year old angler: - Brandon Williams – 3.70 lbs; 11-14 year old youth – Dylan McGhee – 4.47 lbs.

The parents and family of the late Joseph Thomson live in Front Royal. They have presented a scholarship to a deserving Orange County and Warren County Angler Graduate for the past five years. The family also gives a scholarship to the most outstanding youth who participates in the "Fishers of Men" – Legacy Tournament Trail, as well as the Angler of the Year in the Jr. B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Tournament Trail.

Read more about the Orange County High School B. A. S. S. Youth Anglers Club and their community service projects and boating safety and fisheries conservation programs on their website. The award winning youth anglers will be doing casting and rigging demonstrations for kids at Richmond Fishing Expo January 21-23 at Meadow Event Park in Hanover. Don’t miss the fun and trout fishing pond excitement at the 7th annual Orange County Sportsman Expo at the OCHS Hornets Sports Center, new date for 2011 is February 19-20.
How to Avoid the Six Most Common Boat Winterizing Mistakes

Free BoatU.S. Winterizing Guide Available

With winter approaching, BoatU.S. Marine Insurance has reviewed its claim files and reports the following six most common mistakes made when winterizing a boat:

1. Failure to winterize the engine: Freezing temperatures occur in all 50 states and while they are taken seriously up north, it's the balmy states of California, Florida, Texas, Alabama, and Georgia where boaters are most likely to have freeze-related damage to engine blocks. It routinely occurs to boats stored ashore here. Boats left in a slip are less susceptible to sudden freezing as the surrounding water retains heat longer than air.
2. Failure to drain water from sea strainer: If your winterizing plan calls for draining the engine, the seawater strainer must be winterized or residual water could freeze and rupture the watertight seal. Sometimes you won't know it's damaged until spring launching and water begins to trickle in.
3. Failure to close seacocks: For boats left in the water, leaving seacocks open over the winter is like going on extended vacation without locking the house. If a thru-hull cannot be closed, the vessel must be stored ashore - the sole exception is cockpit drains. Heavy snow loads can also force your boat under, allowing water to enter thru-hulls that are normally well above the water line.
4. Clogged petcocks: Engine cooling system petcocks clogged by rust or other debris can prevent water from fully draining. If one is plugged, try using a coat hanger to clear the blockage or use the engine's intake hose to flush anti-freeze through the system.
5. Leaving open boats in the water over winter: Boats with large open cockpits or low freeboard can easily be pushed underwater by the weight of accumulated ice and snow. Always store them ashore.
6. Using biminis or dodgers as winter storage covers: A cover that protects the crew from the sun does a lousy job protecting the boat from freezing rain and snow. Unlike a bona fide winter cover, biminis, and dodgers tend to rip apart and age prematurely by the effects of winter weather.

To get a free copy of the BoatU.S. Winterizing Guide full of tips to help you prepare your vessel for the winter, go to www.BoatUS.com/seaworthy/winter, or call 800-283-2883. Press Contact: Scott Croft, (703) 461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com.
Safe Boating is No Accident—Wear your Life Jacket and Take a Boating Safety Class

Attention boaters, VDGIF has begun to phase in Virginia's boating safety education requirement and wants to remind boaters that as of July 1, all operators of personal watercraft (PWC), including Jet Skis, Sea Doos, and other PWCs, age 14 to 35 will need to have proof of boating safety course completion onboard while operating the vessel. PWC operators must be at least 14 years old. To find out more about the boating safety requirement, the rest of the phase-in for Virginia boaters, or to find a boating safety course, visit the Department's website.

Virginia's life jacket laws require that there must be one wearable (Type I, II, III, or V) USCG approved life jacket of the appropriate size for each person on the boat. All boats, except for personal watercraft, canoes, kayaks, and inflatable rafts, must carry one USCG approved Type IV throwable ring or seat cushion. In addition, if you are boating on federal waters where the USCG has jurisdiction, children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

For more information on boating water safety and the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water go to BoatUS.com. For details on Virginia's laws or to take a boating safety course, check out the DGIF boating website.

Review the article, "Does Your Lifejacket Really Fit?" in the May 26, 2010 Outdoor Report Be Safe... Have Fun section.
Got Pictures of Your Catch? Share Them With Us on Flickr!

How was your last fishing trip? Did you take pictures of your catch? Send them to us and share it with the world! Here's how:

1. Email your photos to us and we'll post them on our "Virginia Fishing" group on the photo-sharing website, Flickr.
2. Or, if you already have an account on Flickr, join the group and submit your photos. It's easy!

No matter how you send in your pictures, please remember to include the species, date, and location of your catch. If you know the length and weight, please include it.

Rules for submitting photos to the group:

1. Photos must be of fish caught in Virginia.
2. Photos must not depict unsafe practices.
3. Please do not publish personal information (last names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, etc.).
4. Please do include the species, location, and date of catch!
5. Only submit photos for which you have permission to post online. For example, any minor pictured must have documented permission from his or her parent or guardian in order to appear in the group. By submitting a photograph of your child, you are giving VDGIF permission to post the photo on the Flickr "Virginia Fishing" group.

Sarah White's Notebook - Regional River and Lake Reports on Fishing Conditions

For Christmas this year, consider giving the angler on your list something that will never wear out, break or need to be replaced. The VDGIF has a lifetime license program: one payment and your angler is saved the cost and hassle of ever buying a license again! The fishing license comes in 3 special areas: freshwater, trout and saltwater, so you can choose the type your fisherman will need.

The licenses can be purchased for someone of any age, so they make great gifts for babies or toddlers whose parents are passionate anglers. They are also wonderful to give with that first "real" rod and reel set given to a child. If Mom or Dad has just retired, and will now have lots of time to fish, a lifetime license is a great way to help them enjoy their new job. There are also special rates for the disabled and disabled veterans. And, the licenses are prorated so the price is lower as you get a little older.

Each license comes with a durable wallet card and a special certificate drawn by renowned wildlife artist "Spike" Knuth.

So give the gift that will always be remembered. Your loved one will think of you each time they set out to fool the fish. To find out more check out the Department's website or call (804) 367-1000.
View online the:

* Trout Stocking Schedule
* Freshwater Fishing Regulations
* 2010 Tidal River Largemouth Bass Outlook (PDF)
* 2010 Smallmouth Bass River Fishing Forecast
* Largemouth Bass Lakes Report
* Walleye Fishing Forecast
* Walleye Tagging Study
* American Shad Restoration Project
* Shad Tagging Study
* Beginning July 1, South Holston Reservoir Fishing License Available to VA, TN Anglers
* Shenandoah and James Rivers Fish Health Update
* Largemouth Bass Virus Detected in Virginia Reservoirs...

Region 1 - Tidewater

Little Creek Reservoir: (757) 566-1702. No report this edition - call for updates.

Beaverdam Reservoir: Contributed by C. Blair Evans, Park Supervisor, (804) 693-2107. C. Blair Evans, Park Supervisor, told me that bass fishing there is very good indeed. Go deep with a diving crankbait or a jig. Not much word on crappie, cats or bluegills, as folks are concentrating on the great bass bite. The water is slightly stained, at full pool and 50 degrees.

Virginia Beach: Captain Jim Brincefield (443) 336-8756. According to Captain Jim the rockfish are hitting hard around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and Fisherman's Island. They are going for live eels, bucktails and surface plugs. Bluefish are biting spoons around Cape Henry. The water is clear and 56 degrees.

Chickahominy River: River's Rest (804) 829-2753. Charlie Brown told me that he really had no news, as cold weather and the call of the hunt has kept anglers away. He did remind me to urge everyone to watch his Christmas special again this year as he and Snoopy still get royalties. The water is clear and 49 degrees.

North Landing River and Back Bay: West Neck Marina (757) 426-6735. Dewey Mullins says that lots of bass are hitting small cranks. Crappie angling is also good, with the slabs favoring shiners and small jigs. No word on cats. White perch are biting nightcrawlers and small spinners. No word on bluegill. The water is clear and in the mid to high 50s.

Norfolk Lakes: Dasheill's Show Room (757) 539-7854. Drew Dixon reports that bass are going for jigs and plastics. The crappie bite is very good in the lakes, with the traditional minnows and jigs producing. Lots of cats have been brought in, including some citation sized from the James. Try cut bait to get your lunker. Bluegill action is slow. Some perch are responding to minnows and worms. The water is clear and cooling.

Blackwater and Nottoway: By Riverkeeper Jeff Turner www.blackwaternottoway.com I spent three days on the Nottoway the 27th through the 29th. The fishing was pretty good. I started off catching largemouth on a crank bait and caught three up to 2 lbs. in about 20 minutes. By then I was at the deep curve right behind the Church in Courtland and I wanted to see if I could catch a blackfish. So I started jigging, and caught a couple of those, but I noticed I was having a lot of small hits and hanging fish for just a second, then they would get off. So I changed from a ½ oz. Silver Buddy to a ¼ oz. and that was the ticket. I started catching everything. I caught a bunch of really big redeyes, two shellcrackers, one which weighed 2 pounds, hung a nice jack and caught several speckle. Catching the redeyes was kinda aggravating, because I would get hung up sometimes 3 or 4 times in five minutes. But that was where the fish were, and I was just glad I had a good lure retriever with me. A lure retriever is a weight with little chains attached to it on a heavy line that you attach to your hung -up line. You attach the device and drop it down to your snag and hopefully get your lure back. I did not lose a single lure the whole trip. It is a great investment since it pays for itself after retrieving only three lures. It's also pretty easy to make one out of just regular fishing weights. Remember that in the Nottoway you can only keep 5 redeye, which are properly called rock bass, and they must be 8 inches at least .

Upper and Lower Tidal James: Local Guide, Captain Mike Hoke, Life's Revenge Guide Service, (804) 357-8518. Captain Mike says that he has heard that there are plenty of active crappie at the mouths of creeks. They are likely to go for your minnow. The cat bite is also good; try cut bait. Stripers are there to be had at night around the Benjamin Harrison Bridge. They like bucktails. The water is high, muddy and cooling.

Upper and Lower Tidal James: Local Guide, John Garland, Screaming Reels Fishing Charter, (804) 739-8810. No report this edition.

Upper and Lower Tidal James: Capt. Mike Ostrander, James River Fishing School, Discover the James, (804) 938-2350. No report this edition.

Region 2 - Southside

Lake Gordon: Contributed by our man in the boat Willard A. Mayes. I ran out of acetylene, so I headed to South Hill and Earl's Welding to get another bottle and, not to waste fuel, thought I would take the boat and go fishing also. I was on Lake Gordon by 11:30 and fishing in the deep water to see if I could find some crappie. After an hour or so of trying, I decided to fish the shore line some to see if my luck would change, it did, but not much. I caught a 12 inch large mouth so I moved up the lake some to the edge of the first pasture and continued to fish the shore line. I spent the rest of the day fishing the easterly shore line and caught 7 nice bluegill, one 10 inch white perch, another bass and a 17 inch chain pickerel. The water was clear to about 4 feet so I used my purple twister and 1/32 lead head and the lime green also. Tried several other colors but nothing seem to help much so headed back in by 4:00 p.m. Something I have not said much this year but the water level is almost back to normal. I think this is the last report for the season so I will bore you' all with the final tally for the year. I hate to own up to these low numbers, but it is what it is. To make myself feel better I keep telling myself that I did not go fishing as often as I had in some past years. Either I did not record some of my trips or I only went fishing 31 times this year with the total below. 371 Crappie; 623 Bluegill; 165 Bass; 7 Yellow perch; 10 White perch; 1 Catfish; 4 Pike. I threw back a total of 326 fish, not counting bass, that were either over the limit or I considered too small for the frying pan. It looks like the total is 1503. There is always next year, which we always think will be better.

Sandy River and Briery Creek: Contributed by Longwood College Fishing Club's Jack Pollio. No report this edition.

James at Scottsville: Local Guide L.E. Rhodes www.hatchmatcherguideservice.com, (434) 286-3366. At this time the James is on the rise. Much needed rain fell through the night causing some minor small stream flooding. Fishing on the James has been hit and miss. The smallmouth metabolism has slowed which means they don't need as much to eat. Crankbaits along with pig & jigs have seen some nice fish boated when fished in the deeper holes. The warm water discharge at Bremo would be the best bet to fish as we get into the winter months. Need a quick trout fix? The Delayed Harvest section of the Hardware has been stocked. Streamers have been the top producers bringing some nice rainbows and browns to net.

Kerr Reservoir: Bob Cat's Lake Country Store, (434) 374-8381. Bobby Whitlow Jr. reports that the bass bite is slow, but look around the points and throw cranks. Stripers are responding to top waters and bucktails. Crappie are lurking around deep brush piles and going for minnows and jigs. No word on cats, perch or bluegill. The water is stained and cooling.

James at Lynchburg: Angler's Lane, (434) 385-0200. Tom Reisdorf says that there has been no word on smallmouths. Brown and rainbow angling on the Jackson River is good. They are going for small midges, pheasant tails, nymphs and hare's ear nymphs. Brookie action is good in the Piney and Tye rivers. The little guys seem to like prince nymphs and hare's ear nymphs. The water is clear and cold.

Lake Gaston: Holly Grove Marina, (434) 636-3455. Holly Grove Marina is closed until mid Februaryy.

Lake Gaston Health Advisory: The Virginia Department of Health has issued an advisory on walleye fish consumption due to mercury contamination in Lake Gaston. Recent fish tissue sample results from the North Carolina Division of Public Health show mercury levels in walleye fish exceed the amount considered safe for long term human consumption. VDH advises the consumption of no more than two meals a month of walleye taken from Lake Gaston. Virginia's advisory stretches from John H. Kerr Dam downstream 18 miles to the Virginia-North Carolina state line. For additional details, visit the VDH fish consumption advisory page.

Smith Mountain Lake: Contributed by Mike Snead. Virginia Outdoorsman, (540) 724-4867, www.virginiaoutdoorsman.com.

Stripers: The striped bass that were heavily concentrated in the upper sections of the Blackwater and Roanoke Rivers for over a month are moving back down the lake. Shallow diving jerkbaits are producing stripers early and late as well as when stripers are chasing bait near the surface during the day. Live bait is also working early and late on shot lines behind floats and planer boards in creeks and off points near the mouths of creeks. Swimbaits, bucktails and flukes rigged on belly weighted hooks and jigheads continue to produce as well, especially in the morning, evening and on days when skies are overcast. As the lake continues to cool, the stripers will move deeper into the water column and will continue to move further down the lake. Several anglers report they have been catching stripers from small schools found 18 to 35 feet below the surface using live bait on downlines, jigging spoons and flukes. Vertically jigging with spoons and flukes is a fun and easy way to catch striped bass this time of year.

Crappie: Crappie fishing continues to be very good. Anglers are using small hair jigs or small live "crappie" minnows rigged on 1/16 oz. jigheads or numbers 4 or 6 gold thin wire. Live bait rigged 12 to 18 inches below a small spilt shot, on very light line, is producing good numbers of quality crappies. As the water cools, the crappies will be found suspended in deeper water cover.

Bass: Bass fishing has been mixed. Many anglers are finding it difficult to find and catch quality fish. The patterns are not consistent. Suspended fish are being caught off the front of deep-water docks and near selected deep-water cover using drop shot rigs and jigging spoons. Medium to deep diving crankbaits in shad and crawfish colors are successful. Bass are also being caught under docks and the sides of steep rock shoreline on pig & jigs and shakey head finesse jigs. Heavy football head jigs with plastic crawfish imitating trailers by Netbait are producing bass found in natural rock near steep drops and deep-water points. Suspending jerkbaits are also producing bass.

The water is fairly clear and 54 degrees. If you do not have cold weather clothing appropriate for fishing or hunting in the cold winter weather, I suggest you invest in a good set. The cold water temperatures found this time of year greatly increase the danger of hypothermia. The risk of slipping on an icy deck, dock or section of wet carpet and falling into the water is much greater in the winter than at any other time of the year and the consequences can be fatal. If you or a loved one enjoy being out on the water in the winter, a warm cold weather suit is essential.

Enjoy a wonderful holiday season and make time to get out on the water and enjoy the great fishing opportunities available this time of year.

Region 3 - Southwest

Claytor Lake: Rock House Marina, (540) 980-1488. Greg Osborne says that cold weather has, for the most part, kept anglers off the lake. Those that venture out find that the striper bite has picked up near the back of Peak Creak. Try live bait or umbrella rigs. The bass have gone deep. The water is slightly stained and in the high 40s to low 50s.

Lower New River: Big Z'S (540) 639-1651. John Zienius told me that it's just been to cold, snowy and windy to fish, so no news. The water is clear and very cold.

New River: Tangent Outfitters, (540) 257-0415. Shawn Hash says that his part of the river is "blown out" and too high to fish. The water is very muddy and in the high 40s.

Upper New River: Contributed by Captain Forest Pressnell, (540) 818-5274, New River Charter. FINALLY some rain on the Upper New, but it's too much; feast or famine is the name of the game. As the river levels fall and the water starts to clear try bright jerkbaits or spinnerbaits with Colorado blade slow rolled for smallies and walleyes. Slow presentation works as well for the muskie with flashy inline spinners or glide baits. Water temperature is 47 degrees.

Region 4 - Mountain and Shenandoah Valley

North and South Forks of the Shenandoah: Harry Murray (540) 984-4212 www.murraysflyshop.com. Harry told me that the smallmouth streams are just too cold to fish. The stocked streams in the Valley are still producing good browns and rainbows. Fishing is best in the deep pools and the pockets below the riffles. Good flies are: Pearl Marauder, size 10; and the Mr. Rapidan Streamer, size 8. The water is clear and 41 degrees.

The delayed harvest streams are good for dry fly fishing. Try midges and olive dry flies. The best time to fish is from 2 p.m. until dark. The water is clear and 41 degrees.

The mountain streams are too cold to fish.

Lake Moomaw: Local Guide, Mike Puffenbarger, (540) 468-2682, www.mapletreeoutdoors.com. No report this edition.

Region 5 - Northern Piedmont

Piedmont Rivers: Local author Steve Moore (Wade Fishing Guidebooks covering the: Rapidan, Upper Potomac, North Branch Potomac) All quiet in the Piedmont as the cold weather takes hold and the fish slow down. There was no new trout stocking activity over the last two weeks in the northern Piedmont waters leaving trout hunters to revisit the Robinson, Locust Shade Park, Hughes, Rose and Passage Creek. Several locations just to the south were stocked to include Sugar Hollow and Mint Springs Lake. Bass fishing is pretty much done (at least in terms of my activity) now that the water temperature is hovering around 42°.

Lake Orange: Contributed by Darrell Kennedy of Angler's Landing (540) 672-3997. Angler's Lane is closed for the season. Although the shop is closed, the Lake remains open for use.

Lake Anna: Contributed by C. C. McCotter, McCotter's Lake Anna Guide Service, (540) 894-9144. No report this edition.

Lake Anna: Contributed by Local Guide Jim Hemby (540) 967-3313. No report this edition.

NOTICE: All anglers are reminded to acquaint themselves with a good description of the northern snakehead fish. If you should manage to catch one of these exotic imports, please kill it immediately and report the catch to either the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.