Weekly Fishing Report -- Updated every Wednesday afternoon

March 31, 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 one foot above winter pool and milky. Fishing is slow, but a few more sunny days should make the fish more active and turn the bite on. The tailwaters were stocked March 18. 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 55F degrees. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-849-9861. Reports of many nice bass and a near state record saugeye caught during recent bass tournaments at East Lynn.

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 five feet above winter pool and milky. A few reports of trout being caught in the upper end of the lake. Fishing is slow, but a few more sunny days should make the fish more active and turn the bite on.

STONEWALL JACKSON – The lake is three feet above winter pool and milky. Fishing is slow, but a few more sunny days should make the fish more active and turn the bite on. The tailwaters were stocked March 18. Before heading to the lake please contact Corps of Engineers at 304-269-7463.

SUMMERSVILLE – The lake is at winter pool and milky. Fishing is slow. Try the upper end of the lake for walleye. Trout were stocked in the tailwaters on March 19. 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 at winter pool and milky. Fishing is slow, but a few more sunny days should make the fish more active and turn the bite on. The tailwaters are high and milky. It was stocked March 18. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304-765-2705.

TYGART LAKE – The lake is near the summer pool level after a month of major fluctuations. Walleyes should be nearly finished spawning. White bass will be concentrated near the head of the lake and bank fishermen should try the head of the lake at Cove Run for white bass. There are lots of walleyes 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). The tailwater temperature is 49 degrees. 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 level is decreasing after a month of high water. Walleyes and saugers can be caught at the lock and dam tailwaters and at creek mouths. A good area for bank fishermen is the calm water at the approach to the locks. Fishing boats are not allowed in this area because of the danger from barges. During normal or low flows, walleyes and saugers 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. They will also move into the mouths of tributaries along with white bass.

MONONGAHELA RIVER – The river is finally at normal seasonal levels. Water temperature is 50-55 degrees and fish are becoming very active after several weeks of high and colder water. A walleye and sauger fishing tournament last week at Morgantown produced several walleyes and lots of saugers. The largest walleye was 5 pounds. Walleyes and saugers 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 saugers and walleyes 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. 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 – Starting April 1 the lake will only fluctuate 7 feet until May 1 when the summer recreation level is maintained. Spring anglers should target crappies, 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.

Walleyes and saugers should be moving upstream from the Monongahela River to the tailwater during the recent high flows. Try the tailwater fishing pier for walleyes and saugers at dark when saugers and walleyes 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 above normal flow but should be dropping by the weekend. The water is clear in most upstream reaches but becomes milky in downstream segments of larger rivers. All streams should be in excellent fishing condition by the weekend. Water temperatures are in the upper 40’s and lower 50’s. Anglers have had exceptional success fishing for smallmouth bass near the head of pools. Anglers are catching and releasing up to 20 smallmouth bass from a single pool and several have been over 4 pounds. 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.

Anglers have been doing exceptionally well fish for trout in stocked streams. Many streams are receiving weekly trout stocking through May. 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 1000 cfs and are project to drop over the next couple days. Flows will still be high by weekend so use caution if wade fishing. 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 10th – 11th. Flows in the North Branch can be monitored by watching the USGS stream gages or the Jennings Randolph website (http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/recrea...an/recinfo.htm).

SMALL IMPOUNDMENTS - Bass, bluegill and catfish are starting to bite in small impoundments. Many small impoundments received two trout stockings through the ice and fishing was limited due to the snow. Therefore, many small impoundments 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 2 below conservation pool and rising slowly. The WV and Maryland boat ramps are scheduled to open April 1st for the season. Don’t forget you purchase a seasonal pass for boat launching either from the MDDNR on the MD side of the lake or the Corp of Engineers on the WV side. 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 http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/recrea...an/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. 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 now accessible and can be used for boat launching.

CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Water levels are normal and clear. Trout stockings are in full swing this week and all waters that were not stocked because of bad weather and road conditions will be made up. 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. 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 very 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. Sauger and walleye are being caught at many of the locks right now on various lures and bait. Hybrids are also being caught with regularity at most locks along the Ohio and Kanawha.

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’. 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 – Reports of bass and muskellunge caught from the lake and river.

Small Impoundments –Trout stockings began in January. Check the online site or call the stocking hotline at 304-558-3399 for current information. Most stockings are currently up to date due to better weather.

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 Tracy Lake and Pennsboro Water Supply Reservoir in Ritchie County, Mountwood Park Lake in Wood County, Rollins Lake and Turkey Run Lake in Jackson County, Mile Tree Lake in Roane County, Cedar Creek State Park Ponds in Gilmer County, and Conaway Run Lake in Tyler County. 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. Small spinners, joe type flies, and trout magnets also work well, for anglers casting the shoreline or fishing from boats. Trolling these small lures is also affective.

This is an excellent time to fish Ohio River Tail-waters. Anglers fishing below the Belleville dam are catching sauger, walleye, and a few other species. Lead headed jigs with twister tails (white or chartreuses), which are fished along the bottom, are the lure of choice. Clever anglers are tipping their jig hooks with minnows. Fishing for white bass can be quite good this time of year and medium-sized white spinners work well. Crappie can also be found in Ohio River tailwaters. These fish are generally suspended and jigs should be counted-down to find the correct depth to fish. Best spots to fish these areas include eddies and back-current sections, and anywhere that river flows are unusual.

Fishing for largemouth bass in area lakes has been very good. Slowly fished rubber worms or jig-and-pig combos, and spinner baits are good terminal tackle choices. Area lakes with good 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 lakes in Jackson County.

Musky streams are expected to be fishable this weekend, and muskies are quite active. Hot spots this time of year include areas both upstream and down stream of fast moving water. Musky anglers should try medium to large lures. Middle Island Creek, the major streams in the Hughes River system, and the Little Kanawha River are good area musky waters. Those interested in trying their luck with muskies in a lake should try the upper end of North Bend Lake.


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