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.
For regulations and conditions on saltwater fishing, visit the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) website. New Saltwater Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) Requires Angler Registration Starting January 1, 2011: The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) will implement a free state saltwater angler identification program as of January 1, 2011. Purchasers of annual Virginia saltwater fishing licenses do NOT have to register. The Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) will require unlicensed saltwater anglers aged 16 and older to register and receive an identification number annually. Adult anglers who fish for anadromous or marine species in freshwater must also register. There is no cost for registration. Online registration is available on VMRC's website. To register by phone, call toll-free 1-800-723-2728. For more information, visit VMRC's website or contact VMRC at (757) 247-2200.
The new 2012 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. 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 2012.
Moratorium on River Herring Fishing Now in Effect
On January 1, 2012, a moratorium on River Herring fishing went into effect. The VA Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) states that the purposes of the moratorium are to rebuild the Virginia stocks of River Herring and to comply with the requirements of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring. It is unlawful for any person to possess any river herring in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Fishermen that traditionally fish for river herring with hook and line, dip nets, cast nets, gill nets or any other gear should be aware of this fishing closure and not purchase a gear license if they were only interested in fishing for river herring.
For more info on the regulation establishing the moratorium visit the VMRC website.
NEW Facility Access Permit Required in 2012 for Using WMAs and Fishing Lakes...
Hunting and Fishing license holders and registered boaters exempt
Effective January 1, 2012, a Facility Access Permit will be required when using any Department-owned Wildlife Management Area or Fishing Lake. Such permit shall not be required for any person holding a valid hunting, fishing or trapping license or a current certificate of boat registration issued by the Department or persons 16 years of age or younger. The Facility Access Permit requirement does not apply to Department- owned boat ramps or segments of the Appalachian Trail on Department- owned land. The Facility Access Permit fee is $4 for a daily permit or $23 for an annual permit. The Facility Use Permit may be purchased online or at any license agent.
Burke Lake Park Spillway Renovations Underway
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) and the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) announce work is underway to perform engineering analyses and design modifications to the dam area at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax County. The project will ensure the dam meets spillway capacity and other dam safety standards. The lake is owned by VDGIF. The public may notice drilling machines working in the dam area to assess the subsurface soil conditions, and stakes related to surveying. Activity is anticipated to begin in the next few weeks.
"We need to expand the emergency spillway capacity to accommodate potential record flooding events in the future," said VDGIF's Infrastructure Division Larry Hart. "While we have not experienced a flood event that would cause water to overtop the dam in the lake's 46-year history, that does not mean we may not have larger flooding events in the future."
The Fairfax County Park Authority maintains and operates Burke Lake Park and golf course on properties adjoining the lake. "The Park Authority has a vested interest in maintaining Burke Lake Park as a recreational resource," said Judy Pedersen, Public Information Officer with the Fairfax County Park Authority. FCPA is working cooperatively with VDGIF, ensuring access to the FCPA property for investigative purposes.
VDGIF staff has no reason to think the dam is not safe in its current condition. The dam is well maintained and has functioned as designed. Conditions have changed around the lake that could lead to more runoff and residences have been constructed downstream that could be impacted. If the evaluation reveals a need to utilize any of the Authority's land to complete the spillway renovations, those uses would have to be in concert with the mission of the Authority.
The evaluations and designs should be completed by July 2012. Construction activities would take place later, depending on the amount of funds that may be needed. "It could take a few years to save enough money for this large project," said Hart. The Department currently budgets about $1 million of its special funds each year to dam safety activities. The special funds used for work on dams come from the sale of fishing and hunting licenses, a small portion of the state sales tax on hunting, fishing, and wildlife related purchases, and matching grants from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. For further information contact: Phillip D. Lownes, Director of Capital Programs, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 804-367-1253.
The Fishing Spot
by Chris Dunnavant, VDGIF Angling Education Coordinator
Greetings folks! My name is Chris Dunnavant and I am the Angling Education Coordinator and Director of the Angler Recognition Program here at VDGIF. My travels with the Agency as well as my personal fishing exploits have taken me all over the Commonwealth to experience great fishing and meet some really neat and talented people. In this new feature of the Outdoor Report, I will be sharing a variety of fishing information including fishing tips & hotspots, interviews, stories, program news and much more. I hope to pass along to you some of the wonderful opportunities afforded to me as an angler that may help improve your skills and at the least, provide some enjoyment. After all, Fishing is Fun!
The Bass and Saltwater expo concluded last weekend and it was an exciting show with boats, tackle retailers and seminars. The list of pros and guides was impressive with 3 different seminars taking place each hour throughout the show. I had an opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet some new folks in the fishing industry as well. The event was well planned as the new state record Striper was caught on Friday. The fish weighed 74 pounds and was brought to the show packed on ice for all the attendees to see and photograph. What a catch!!! Visit "The Fishing Spot" in the coming editions to learn who I chatted with at the show.
We conducted the Weekend Wildlife segment on "The Weekend with Anthony Oppermann" live from the show, check it out and past segments.
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:
Email your photos to us and we'll post them on our "Virginia Fishing" group on the photo-sharing website, Flickr.
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:
Photos must be of fish caught in Virginia.
Photos must not depict unsafe practices.
Please do not publish personal information (last names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, etc.).
Please do include the species, location, and date of catch!
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.
The Memories Are Always Bigger Than the Fish
Buy your fishing license today.
Remember the excitement? The rush? A picture is worth a thousand words, but sharing the memory of catching that first fish with your family or friends is priceless. Why wait? Start your memories today and buy your fishing license.
Go to HuntFishVA.com, call 1-866-721-6911, or visit your nearest license agent.
If you have already purchased your 2011 fishing license, we would like to thank you for helping to support Virginia's wildlife and natural resources.
Don't miss out on a great fishing season.
Your License Dollars Support State Conservation Efforts
Sarah White's Notebook
Attention Readers – If your favorite body of water is not covered in the Fishin Report, and you are a guide, tackle shop owner, marina or just a devoted angler; please drop me a line and we will see about adding your bi-weekly or periodic reports in the e-newsletter by telephone or email contacts. You can reach me, Sarah White at fishing_report@hotmail.com.
View online the:
Trout Stocking Schedule
Freshwater Fishing Regulations
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...
Chesapeake Bay Sustainable Goal Implementation Team
Atlantic States Fisheries Commission
Region 1 - Tidewater
Little Creek Reservoir: Contributed by Park Concessionaire Diane Priestley, (757) 566-2277, hhhatlcr@aol.com. Not a lot to talk about as it's cold and the fish know it, so they are holding in 20 to 30 ft. of water. A vertical presentation working blade baits and jigs seems to be the choice, but you may want to try Carolina rig along the 25. ft. shelves or the weed line; it's a little bit more exciting and is producing some bass. Some crappie are being caught down to 20 ft. along the grass line, try minnows or 1 1/2 tubes or jigs. Two strippers fell to slow trolling lipless cranks in mid lake.
Beaverdam Reservoir: Contributed by Eddie Hester, (804) 693-2107. No report this edition.
Cat Point Creek: Contributed by our new reporter Penn Burke of Spring Shad Charters (804) 354-3200. No report this edition.
Virginia Beach: Captain Jim Brincefield (443) 336-8756. Captain Jim told me that a state record striper had been landed. That big boy weighs 74 pounds! Striper fishing is good at Cape Henry, where they are attacking mojos, parachutes, bucktails and live eels. Please remember that fish taken in the Bay must be released. Out in the ocean, you can keep 2, but they must be at least 28 in. long. Tautog can be found at the pilings and tubes at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. They are going for green and fiddler crabs and clams. Water is 45 degrees and clear.
Editors note: We will have a full feature on the new record 74 lb striper in the February 8, 2012 edition of the Outdoor Report
Back Bay: Local angler Tom Deans. No report this edition.
Chickahominy River: River's Rest (804) 829-2753. Alton Williams reports that only duck hunters have been able to take all this cold weather; so lots of gunfire in the morning, but virtually no anglers out there. The water is somewhat stained and cooling.
North Landing River and Back Bay: West Neck Marina (757) 426-6735. Dewey Mullins says that bass action is good on cranks and spinners. Not many crappie have been coming in, but try a minnow or a jig. White perch are being extremely cooperative. They like minnows and night crawlers. No word on cats or bluegill. Some stripers have been landed on spinners and small cranks, mostly by anglers seeking bass or perch. The water is clear and in the mid to high 40s.
Norfolk Lakes: Dasheill's Show Room (757) 539-7854. Drew Dixon told me that lots of bass are coming in on jigs and plastics. Crappie action is also good, with minnows and jigs bringing in some big slabs. Some yellow perch are biting minnows. Cats are responding well to cut bait. A few stripers are going for large minnows or cranks. The water is clear and in the low 50s.
Blackwater and Nottoway: By Riverkeeper Jeff Turner www.blackwaternottoway.com. Spirit of Moonpie and I spent the 18th through the 20th on the Blackwater above Joyner's Bridge. The water was tinted, 40 degrees and 6.7 on the USGS gauge at Burdette. Air temperatures ranged from a cold 27 degrees the first night to 50 and the wind seemed to never go away. It was a cold patrol. The fishing on this trip was pretty slow. I only caught two very small largemouth and three bowfin to six pounds. All fish were caught on a blade bait jigged vertically. I did not do any casting which may have been a mistake. I did try fishing for speckle, but did not catch a one.
Real sportsmen aren't litterbugs... I found where some thoughtless duck hunters had gone onshore at a spot upriver from the bridge and left a mess. Empty shotgun shells and cigarette butts littered the little peninsula they were on. Please, don't leave your shell casings and other trash in or on the river. You brought it, please take it with you when you leave!
Upper and Lower Tidal James: Local Guide, Captain Mike Hoke, Life's Revenge Guide Service, (804) 357-8518. Captain Mike reports that some big cats are coming in on cut shad. Crappie action is good in the creeks with traditional minnows and jigs. The water is clear and 46.
Upper and Lower Tidal James: Contributed by Capt. Mike Ostrander, James River Fishing School, Discover the James, (804) 938-2350. With steady air temperatures the past few days fishing should be pretty good. Look for blue catfish of all sizes along the river channel ledges. Gizzard shad continue to be the best bait and the fresher the better.
Region 2 - Southside
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. The river conditions have been unstable for the past couple weeks. Rising water and cloudy to muddy conditions have had the smallmouth fishing come to a standstill. I have been able to get out Muskie fishing but have had only a couple follows with no fish boated. The water temperatures have dropped and will probably hold around the 40 degree mark. When the conditions improve continue to go with crayfish imitations such as pig & jigs and Tubes. A hair jig can also be productive this time of year. I always try to match what the fish are feeding on. I guess that comes with being a fly fisherman. In order for me to do so, I also need to know what the food source is at that given time. As it's winter the crayfish is most likely what will prompt a fish to feed. Here's a little bio on the crayfish from one of my presentations: Crayfish represent an important diet of the smallmouth. They thrive in rivers around semi soft bottoms with rocks, wood, grass, and clay banks. Water temperatures along with length of days determine activity periods. They hibernate in winter and are usually moving about in the early spring, before most fishermen begin to fish. The crayfish is characterized by a joined head and thorax and a segmented body, which is sandy yellow, green, or dark brown. They average about 3 inches in length. They have a hard outside body. They regularly outgrow their shell and shed it. This is called molting and occurs six to ten times their first year of growth. After each molt they have soft skeletons and are more vulnerable to fish. Pig & jigs, tubes and Soft plastic imitations (Beavers, Rodents, Road Kills) will all be good choices for spin fishermen. For the fly angler a Clawdad, Rhodes Rattle-N-Claw, Trow Tube Fly or a Ritt's Fighting Cray fish are all patterns to have in your box.
Kerr Reservoir: Bob Cat's Lake Country Store, (434) 374-8381. Brandon Gray says that bass are not biting well but a few anglers have been lucky with jigging spoons and small cranks. Crappie action is also off, with minnows and jigs being your best bet. Cut bait or crappie fillets may land you a cat. Stripers can be found near Grassy Creek and in the Ivy Hill area; try live shad or jumbo minnows. The water is slightly stained and 46 to 48 degrees.
James at Lynchburg: Angler's Lane, (434) 385-0200. No report this edition.
Lake Gaston: Holly Grove Marina, (434) 636-3455. The marina is closed for the season. It will reopen in February. The gas pumps will work with a credit card. Boats are still available for rental, just call ahead and leave a message.
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.
Bass: Overall fishing on the lake continues to be good and the mild weather has many anglers out enjoying it. Bass fishing is no exception. Local reports and recent tournament results indicate good numbers and quality bass are being caught. When largemouth are found feeding on shad, a variety of baitfish imitating lures including crankbaits, swimbaits, heavy spinner baits and flukes are being used successfully. While many bass are still being found in relatively shallow water where crankbaits and lightweight jigs are working, a number are also being found off the sides of points and humps. Deep diving suspending jerkbaits and drop shot rigged plastics are both good choices on points. The jerkbait bite should continue and might even improve as the water temperature drops. Carolina rigged plastics are also working on points and the edges of natural creek channels. Bass found deep near natural rock are also being caught on ½ and ¾ ounce football head pig & jigs. Deep water bass are also being caught by anglers vertically jigging with Hopkins, Kastmaster and Berry jigging spoons.
The Winter Weekend Bass Tournament Series is being held every Saturday morning at the State Park boat ramp from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. This popular series is currently scheduled to continue through the second weekend in February. This past weekend the team of Danny and Trevor Towe won the event with total weight of 19 lbs. 3 oz. They also claimed big fish honors with a bass weighing 4 lb. 7 oz. Tournament Director Phillip VanDerVeer teamed up with Chris Lucas to take second place honors with a total weight of 17 lb. 13 oz. Third place in this past Saturday's tournament went to the team of James Jordan and Douglas Eubanks when they brought a total weight of 8 lb. 5oz. to the scale. The team of Jim McCullough and Ronnie Lemons won the previous week's tournament with a total weight of 21 lbs. 9 oz. The team of Travis Towe and Danny Towe took second place honors in this event with a total weight of 18 lbs. Mark McFadden and Matt Kluender teamed up to bring a bag weighing 12 lb. 12 oz. to the scale and earn third place in this tournament while Danny Moles of Vinton caught the tournament lunker, a beautiful largemouth bass that weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz. If you desire more information about this series, I encourage you to contact Tournament Director Phillip VanDerveer by email (bassin0125@gmail.com) or by stopping by his business, Jiffy Automotive Service (540-344-7281) in Vinton.
Stripers: Fishing continues to be mixed, but most anglers who get out early are reporting success watching and fishing around seagulls, especially in the middle and upper sections of the lake. Seagulls are one of the best fish finders around the lake this time of year. When you see a concentration of gulls diving and picking up bait on the surface of the water, you can be sure there are feeding fish somewhere nearby or below them. While several anglers report catching striped bass very early in the morning using bucktails and flukes rigged on belly-weighted hooks and lightweight jigheads in the backs of creeks, most report catching stripers in the main channel. When seagulls are actively feeding and plucking injured baitfish off the surface of the lake, many anglers use a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce jighead to cast, countdown and retrieve a fluke, small swimbait or curl tail grub. As the sun moves overhead, many of the stripers will be found deeper in the water column. Currently, schools of striped bass are being found above Gills Creek on the Blackwater side and between the Hales Ford and Hardy Bridges on the Roanoke River. Once the stripers move deep, vertically jigging a spoon or a fluke rigged on a 1/2 or 3/4 ounce jighead is a productive technique. During the day stripers are currently being found in large schools anywhere from 20 to more than 50 feet deep. Vertically jigging a small umbrella rig can be very productive, especially for stripers that just refuse to hit a spoon or fluke. White perch are also being caught by anglers vertically jigging for stripers. Stripers are being caught at night, but based on several reports the normal night bite has been slow so far this year. While night anglers are catching a few stripers casting and retrieving diving jerkbaits, bucktails and flukes up along the shoreline, many say their best results are coming around security and dock lights. Live bait is, as always, a good choice for striped bass.
Crappie: Fishing continues to be good. Anglers report they are finding good numbers around and under deep water docks and the tops of submerged deep water structure and timber. Small crappie jigs, Popeye jigs and tiny spoons are the lures of choice for crappies although I'm sure small crappie minnows will also work if you can find them this time of year.
When the water temperature is this cold, hypothermia is a real danger. In addition to the risk of heat loss should someone fall into the lake, a person who falls into cold water without a life jacket may inhale while under water (involuntary gasping reflex) and drown without returning to the surface. It is vital to wear a life jacket or inflatable life vest anytime you are on the water and to carry a spare set of oversize dry clothing in the event you or someone else gets soaking wet while out in the cold.
The water is clear and 45 to 49 degrees. Tight lines and enjoy a safe winter.
Region 3 - Southwest
Claytor Lake: Contributed by Mike Burchett of Rock House Marina, (540) 980-1488. Mike Burchett told me that local bass have slowed down into their winter pattern, but try jigging spoons or slow rolling a heavy swimbait. No word on crappie, cats or bluegills. The yellow perch bite is picking up, especially on a small jighead with a crappie minnow. Striper fishing has been "so-so", with quality being better than quantity right now. Try slow trolling an umbrella rig in 30 to 50 ft. of water. The water is slightly stained and in the mid to low 40s.
Lower New River: Big Z'S (540) 639-1651. John Zienius reports that small mouth anglers are having a hard time, sometimes only 2 or 3 bites a trip. You may get lucky bottom bouncing baits like Gitzits and pig & jigs. Muskie are really hot just now and are attacking big jerks, cranks and live chubs or suckers. The water is clear and in the low 40s.
New River: Tangent Outfitters, (540) 257-0415. No report this edition.
Upper New River: Contributed by Captain Forest Pressnell, (540) 818-5274, New River Charter. The Upper New River is starting to turn green again after the recent rains. Muskie fishing has been great up till the muddy water hit. Recent shocking showed numbers of walleye are improving in pre-spawn areas so get ready for the walleye bite to start up in the next few weeks. I haven't heard of any reports on the smallies but it should be very slow right now. Water temperature is 40 degrees.
Top New River: Contributed by local guide Richie Hughes, owner of New River Trips LLC. We continue to have a mild winter up here in the area of the Top New (Mouth of Wilson to Fries). The best bet for fishing continues to be trout in one of the streams that flow into the Top New. Still no ice in the creeks as the temps will be in the 50s this coming week. Weekly rains have kept water levels at average or above average levels.
Use common courtesy on the river and at landings... Blackwater and Nottoway Riverkeeper Jeff Turner advises if you're boating or fishing on the river this spring please remember that a lot of people fish anchored in the middle of the river this time of year. So, please slow down around those blind curves and don't wake people hard when they are fishing. At the boat ramps please don't prepare your boat to put in on the ramp or prepare your rig for going home on the ramp. There is usually lots of room in the parking lot. If you're in your boat waiting for the boat ahead of you to get out of the way, remember, don't make it harder on them by cruising back and forth in front of the landing at ¼ throttle and throwing a 3 ft. wake. You're only going to make him mad and take longer to get their boat on the trailer, plus it's against the law! Be courteous and respectful of others, after all we all want a safe and enjoyable trip to and from the river.
Region 4 - Mountains & Shenandoah Valley - Northern Piedmont
North and South Forks of the Shenandoah: Harry Murray (540) 984-4212 www.murraysflyshop.com. Harry says that the smallmouth streams are too cold to fish.
The stocked and delayed harvest streams in the Valley are providing excellent action for anglers. Fish below the springs, using a Shenk's Cress Bug, size 14; or a Shrimp, also size 14. When fishing the deep pools, use a Small Caddis Pupa, size 12; or a Stonefly Nymph, 12.
The mountain streams are too cold to fish.
Lake Moomaw: Contributed by local anger Bill Uzzell. No report this edition.
Lake Moomaw: Local Guide, Mike Puffenbarger, (540) 468-2682, www.mapletreeoutdoors.com. Check Puff's website and his articles in Woods & Waters Magazine for updates on Lake Moomaw fishing action and opportunities. Winter has made it's appearance here in western Virginia with very little snow fall and somewhat milder temperatures than normal, but February could change things. Puff notes, "Lot's of activities in the woods with maple syrup producers running sap lines and making ready for another sap season. Seems blaze orange has give way to woolrich plaids and carhartts. With the Highland County Maple Festival just around the corner (March 8-10 & 15-17) spring will be here before you know it."
Stream conditions throughout the area have been running a little over full most of the time making fishing conditions kind of tough. The trout anglers have been catching some decent creels at times weather permitting.
Lake Moomaw would be full pool and willing to produce some fair catches on days where we can see some warming trends. Smallmouth should be turning it on pretty well this month on the upper regions trout can be found throughout the Lake this time of year. Yellow perch grouped up pretty tight off rock ledges and points with water temperatures at or near freezing on parts of the Lake. Lure presentation should be fairly slow but as always elwives and shinners are favorite bait. Come see us at the Maple Festival... bring your fishin' pole too!
Piedmont Rivers: Local author Steve Moore (Wade Fishing River Guidebooks covering the: Rappahannock, Rapidan, Upper Potomac, North Branch Potomac; Blog: SwitchFisher.com) I've packed it in for the winter. Fishing has wrapped up and now all I have to keep me going is the promise of the Spring thaw. I'll be back on the water in late February or early March depending on the weather. Books are available online to order for winter reading. It's never to early too start "scouting" for those new promising fishing spots. Use my books to do the preliminary search for great fishing throughout the Virginia Piedmont region.
Lunga Reservoir and Rappahannock River: Contributed by local angler Scott Torgerson. No report this edition.
Lake Orange: Contributed by Darrell Kennedy of Angler's Landing (540) 672-3997. Angler's Landing is closing for the winter and will reopen in March.
Lake Anna: Contributed by C. C. McCotter, McCotter's Lake Anna Guide Service, (540) 894-9144. With warmer than normal water temperatures, many areas of Anna normally unproductive have remained productive long into the winter season. A slackening of warm water coming through Dike III has also changed things again in the lower lake. The water is in the lower 40s to upper 30s up lake. It's 50 mid-lake. You'll find it at 56 degrees at Dike III. Good bass fishing, fair striper fishing and good crappie fishing are the highlights on Anna now. Here's what you can expect during your next visit.
Largemouth Bass: The mid and down lake region continue to be the most consistent producing areas of Anna for green fish. Shakey head worms, jigs, toothache spoons and suspending jerkbaits are your top lure choices. Fish the big drops on main lake points, especially when you find natural cover like rocks or drop offs. Brush piles have only been fair lately. Some fish are schooled on small herring and threadfin shad in the Dike III region. The toothache e-rig and other multi-arm rigs have been productive on deep drops and points. Use long casts and let the thing sink to the bottom. Retrieve slowly, just above the bottom. Use 3 in. baits. A recently Sunday bass tournament was won by MLAGS Associate Guide, John Hutchins and his partner, with a five bass limit over 18 pounds.
Striper: Good fishing now for 18 to 21 in. fish throughout the lower lake region. Bigger fish are still biting around the Splits on up to the first two bridges in the North Anna and Pamunkey Branch. Multi-arm rigs with 3 in. baits are catching striper under birds. Spoons and swimbaits help you follow the action to the bottom. Expect good fishing in the Big Ben Flats and Jetts Island region to continue if the mild weather sticks around. The region from Dike III over to Valentine's Cove also has fish, but they are mostly under 21 in. so far.
Crappie: The fish have not completely left the up lake region, especially around the bridges. Deep brush and rocks down lake also have specks for you now. Sometimes the depth is 18 ft., sometimes it's 35 ft. Vertical jigging or fishing with a small minnow on a drop shot rig can be excellent at the mouths of mid lake creeks like Pigeon, Marshall, Sturgeon and Contrary.
Lake Anna: Contributed by Local Guide Jim Hemby (540) 967-3313. No report this edition.
Attention Readers – If your favorite body of water is not covered in the Fishin Report, and you are a guide, tackle shop owner, marina or just a devoted angler; please drop me a line and we will see about adding your bi-weekly or periodic reports in the e-newsletter by telephone or email contacts. You can reach me, Sarah White at fishing_report@hotmail.com.
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.
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