Weekly Fishing Report -- Updated every Wednesday afternoon

July 28, 2010

FISHING

BEECH FORK – The reservoir is at summer pool. For more information call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304-525-4831. Reports of a few bass and bluegill boated recently by anglers.

BLUESTONE – With the nights beginning to cool, the fishing on the lake should begin to pick up. Anglers should try their luck around any downed trees or weed beds using worms, small minnows or jigs for sunfish. Bass anglers should concentrate their efforts along areas with good structure such as downed timber, rocky drops, or weed beds. Top water baits such as rapalas, tiny torpedoes and sluggoes are excellent choices but anglers will find the best topwater action early or late. Bluegills can provide anglers with some fast action. Best baits are worms and small jigs. Anglers can have a blast fishing for sunfish. Channel catfish are also hitting in the lake primarily at night on chicken livers and worms. Carp and channel catfish are hitting in the tailwaters with best baits being corn, and nightcrawlers, respectively. Occasionally anglers have been catching some other species such as smallmouth bass in the tailwaters on jigs and minnows.

BURNSVILLE – The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. Bass are in about 10-15 feet of water. Try early mornings and late evening for the best action. Sunfish and crappie have been caught around cover with small jigs and live bait, and reports of nice flathead catfish being caught as well. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-853-2398.

EAST LYNN – The reservoir is at summer pool. Both the outflow and the reservoir are clear with a surface temperature of 82F degrees. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-849-9861. Reports of bass, and a few nice muskies being boated.

R.D. BAILEY – Some spotted bass should be hitting on the lake but as the cool nights increase in frequency, the fishing should pick up. The bass will be found along the rocky drops with points another good spot to try. Good baits are plastic jigs in black and chartreuse colors or live shad. Bluegill are providing consistent action in the standing timber. Best baits are worms and small jigs. Hybrid striper and channel catfish fishing is good off of shallow points at night. Best baits are chicken liver and softshell crayfish. Anglers should concentrate their efforts early and late during periods of extreme heat. Carp are also providing a lot of fun for night anglers. Best baits are corn and dough balls.

STONECOAL LAKE – The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is great. Bass are in about 10-15 feet of water. Try early mornings and late evening for the best action. Sunfish and crappie have been caught around cover using minnows and live bait. Summer bluegill fishing is getting good. Try live bait in shallow water (1-2 feet). A few trout are still being caught on spinners.

STONEWALL JACKSON – The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. Bass are active and in about 10-12 feet of water. Try early mornings and late evening for the best action. Sunfish and crappie have been caught around cover with small jigs and live bait. Before heading to the lake please contact Corps of Engineers at 304-269-7463.

SUMMERSVILLE – The lake is at summer pool and clear. Bass are in about 15-20 feet of water. Try early mornings and late evening for the best action. Sunfish and crappie have been caught around cover. Try the upper end of the lake for walleye. Trout were stocked in the tailwaters on June 21 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 at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. Try early mornings and late evening for the best action. Bass are still in about 20-25 feet of water and hitting plastic baits. Crappie and bluegill have also been caught around standing timber with small jigs and live bait. The tailwaters are normal and clear. Some trout are still being caught. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304-765-2705.

TYGART LAKE – The lake is near the summer level. Walleye have been caught during the day in the 30 to 50-feet depths where the water temperature is around 70 degrees. Smallmouth bass can be caught using crank baits or tube jigs along the shoreline. Look for white bass at the head of coves or the upper part of the lake. Fish for crappies in the fish shelters between the boat ramps at the marina. Start fishing for walleye at dark when they move into shallow water to feed.

There are lots of trout and walleye in the tailwater. 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). 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): Fishing success for all species continues to be good and the river is in great fishing condition. Sauger, smallmouth bass, walleye, and white bass are attracted to the currents at lock and dam tailwaters. Walleye and sauger 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. Hybrid striped bass will also move in and out of the tailwaters and can be caught using large crank baits. The water temperature in embayments will be higher than the main river, so largemouth bass and sunfish will be more active in these areas.

MONONGAHELA RIVER – The water temperature is 80-82 degrees. Flows are low but fishing continues to be good during the day for smallmouth bass in the lock and dam tailwaters. The best fishing success for sauger and walleye is during low light conditions at dawn and dusk. Sauger, smallmouth bass, walleye, and white bass are always attracted to the currents in the tailwaters. Jigs with minnows are the best baits right now. Channel and flathead catfish are abundant throughout the river. Carp are being caught from shore at the Ruby H.M. Park and at the Star City ramp. Troll large crank baits for muskies anywhere on the river.

CHEAT LAKE – White bass schools can be seen breaking the surface throughout the lake. Cast crank baits, spoons, or jigs for fast action. The easiest way to fish the lake for all species is drifting along the shoreline with a night crawler or minnow on a hook with a couple of split shot at a depth of 10 to 15 feet. Cast small rooster-tail spinners for large bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish in downed trees along the shoreline. Channel catfish can be caught throughout the lake but are particularly numerous upstream of Mt. Chateau. Cheat Lake has been one of the top lakes for bass fishing tournament success for the past 5 years. The embayments at the Cheat Lake Park are good areas for bank fishermen to catch sunfish and largemouth bass.

Try the tailwater fishing pier for sauger, smallmouth bass, walleye and white bass. Jigs with minnows or 3-inch power grubs are the best baits. White or chartreuse are good colors. Start fishing at dark when sauger and walleye begin feeding. The pier is located entirely in West Virginia about 25 minutes from Morgantown and 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 low and float trips will be difficult in some sections of the river. The water is clear and water temperatures are in the 80’s. Anglers have been extremely successful fishing for smallmouth bass in the riffles and near the head of pools. Recent biological surveys have indicated good smallmouth bass population and lots of nice channel catfish up to 5 pounds. Several anglers have been catching nice channel catfish in large pools in the South Branch. 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 season will begin in October so check the fishing regulations to determine if your favorite water receives fall stockings. It is a great time for fly fishing the larger rivers like the upper South Branch, North Fork of South Branch, and the North Branch. 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 125 cfs and are projected to remain at that level for several more days. This is a great time for fly fishing in the North Branch. Flows in the North Branch can be monitored by watching the USGS stream gages or the Jennings Randolph website (http://www.nab-wc.usace.army.mil/northBranch.html).

Small Impoundments - Bass, bluegill and catfish are biting in small impoundments and anglers are still catching largemouth bass on topwater lures. Many anglers have been catching nice channel catfish on chicken livers. Recent biological surveys indicate lots of bass, many over 4 pound, and several large catfish.

Jennings Randolph Lake - Jennings Randolph Lake is currently 10 feet below conservation pool. The WV and Maryland boat ramps are open. 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. It’s a great time for smallmouth bass fishing at Jennings Randolph, try crankbaits near the rocky shorelines. 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/recreation/jenran.htm.

Mt. Storm Lake - Anglers at Mt. Storm should target hybrid striped bass, black bass, and walleye. Fish can be caught throughout the lake and many anglers do well fishing with chicken livers near the discharges. Anglers have been catching largemouth and smallmouth bass on topwater lures.

CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Water levels are high and milky. July is a great time to introduce a child to fishing. The weather is nice and fish are very active. If you are looking for a place to go please check the fishing regulations and the WVDNR website for a list of public access or call your local WVDNR district office for some advice and a place to take a youngster fishing. Always use sun block and drink plenty of fluids when out on the 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 providing some good fishing for smallmouth bass. Anglers should try white/chartreuse buzzbaits, white plastic grubs, or small crankbaits or live bait such as helgrammites or softshell crayfish. Spots below or above shoals are good spots to try your luck. Fishing is still best early and late in all of the small impoundments in southern West Virginia and you should catch some fish. Try spots at the end of points, weed beds, or fallen timber. Best baits are plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom, spinnerbaits are also good choices. Lakes such as Plum Orchard, Horse Creek, Hawks Nest, and Pipestem will all provide good bass fishing. Channel catfishing is good in areas like Hawks Nest lake and some of the other small impoundments. Best time to fish is late night and very early morning with chicken livers or softshells. This is a prime time to take a child or anyone fishing! There is no better way to introduce a child or novice to fishing than to take them out for an evening of carp fishing. Try chumming with creamed corn upstream of where you are fishing and use shredded wheat doughballs or whole kernel corn for bait. The secret to the doughballs is to mix in a little flavored jello powder as you make the doughball. Make sure your rods are anchored down with a rock and the drag is loosened or a carp may take it!!! Good spots to catch a carp are Bluestone and R.D.Bailey lakes, New River and Kanawha rivers.

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). Try fishing mainly at dawn, dusk and at night to beat the heat. Many anglers are finding success for hybrid and white bass using a variety of lures at the Winfield, Belleville, and RC Byrd locks. Try small jigs, shad darts, or shad imitating lures. Surface lures are also a good choice when you see fish break the surface to get at bait fish. Or try large spinners or jigs reeled deeper through the school, sometimes the bigger fish will be slightly deeper than the fish breaking the surface. When fishing the various locks (or anywhere), please pick up after yourself and others don’t leave trash around. Check locations visually or check online for flow levels http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt prior to fishing rather than wasting a trip.

Guyandotte and Coal rivers – Reports of a few largemouth and muskie caught near the upper and lower falls.

Poca River – No recent reports.

Elk River – Numerous reports of bass and muskie caught during the cooler parts of the day from the dam to the mouth in Charleston. Try soft plastics, buzz baits, spinnerbaits, and various crawfish imitating lures. Live bait is also a good choice if artificial prove to be ineffective. Turn rocks over along the river’s edge, or use a small seine to gather crawfish and hellgrammites. Large drum and channel catfish can also be taken this way, cast slightly ahead of cruising fish using light line and minimal weight with the live offering, then hang – on! 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 muskie and bass caught recently. WVDNR surveys on Upper Mud recently revealed excellent populations of black bass in the main lake (Upper Mud). There are two public access sites and various facilities available for anglers and families at Upper Mud Lake and WMA. Give Upper Mud (river or lake) a try soon for a successful fishing trip or a family picnic/fishing trip.

Small Impoundments – Try your favorite lures and bait for bass and bluegill. For catfish, try chicken livers, 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. Take a kid or someone new to fishing out during a warmer day and let them experience the fun as well!

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 good right now. Conditions are close to optimal for many preferred gamefish but temperature is a big factor. Fishing can be good anytime as long as anglers key on the proper bait, habitat, preferred temperature range, and recognize what the fish are doing. As we move into the summer, try fishing into the evening hours and after dark to take advantage of cooler water and less boat traffic. Try spinnerbaits and soft plastics during the day, and louder surface lures at night. A jitterbug or zara spook worked slowly in close to cover after dark is deadly on bass. To target walleye and saugeye concentrate during the low light periods of dusk and dawn and/or fish at night using shad imitations and jigs around rocky points and drop-offs. Hybrids can also be taken on shad imitating lures or minnows in Beech Fork and East Lynn. Concentrate your effort during low light or under darkness for these brutish fish.

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.

This is an excellent time to try a float trip. The Coal River and the Elk River below Sutton to its mouth are two good choices. Take a friend and use a shuttle so you can float through from one launch to another downstream. Be sure to check with private individuals about access if needed. Conditions are generally good to excellent right now for all species. We are currently in a pattern of afternoon thunderstorms, if your stream is too muddy to fish due to rains, try a stream nearby.

WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Summer is an excellent time to fish Ohio River tailwaters. Anglers fishing below the Belleville and Willow Island dams are catching white bass, 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. Best spots to fish these areas include eddies and back-current sections, and anywhere that river flows are unusual. Schools of hybrid striped bass will periodically move up to the surface to ambush prey, so keep a look out for this activity. When this activity is seen, agitator bobbers fished with rubber minnow imitations or fresh bait fished with surf casting equipment, generally provides the best result. Fresh bait (small skipjack) can be caught from these areas using “Sabiki” rigs.

Elsewhere on the Ohio River fishing for catfish has been good. Channel catfish anglers should use nightcrawlers, chicken liver, or prepared catfish type baits. Live fish should be used for flatheads. Good fishing sites for catfish include deep areas along islands and tributary mouths.

Fishing has been good for largemouth bass in area lakes. Spinner baits, rubber worms, crank baits, and surface lures are producing bass in areas of good cover. Good choices for area lakes include Mountwood in Wood County, Conaway Run in Tyler, Charles Fork in Roane, North Bend Lake in Ritchie County, and Elk Fork, Woodrum and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County. Best fishing times will be early in the morning and during the evening hours. These lakes can also supply good bluegill fishing. F or these sunfish use trout magnets or spinners, small jigs, or small worms. Fishing for 8-12 inch sized largemouth bass at Woodrum Lake in Jackson County has also been quite good.

Summer is a good time to fish for channel catfish in area lakes and streams. Chicken livers, nightcrawlers, and prepared catfish baits work well. Remember fishing at night is generally better than fishing during the day for catfish in the summer.

Local musky streams should be fishable this weekend. Summer musky anglers use large Crankbaits or jerk baits and best spots are usually around fallen trees or riffle areas. Fishing has been quite good this year for musky along Middle Island Creek, the Little Kanawha river, and on the Hughes River and its forks.

http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/weekly_fishreport.shtm