The weekly fishing report from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources:
LAKES
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BEECH FORK - Lake is at summer pool. The lake and tailwater are clear. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-525-5092. Walleye, saugeye, and hybrids are being caught using minnows, appropriately sized shad imitation lures, and grub-tipped jigs (try a variety of sizes and colors) fished near rocky points and drop-offs mainly at dawn, dusk and at night. Bass fishing is slow presently. Please note that the WVDNR has initiated a bass tagging study at Beech Fork. Any anglers who catch a tagged fish is encouraged to clip the tag carefully and send it in to the listed address along with what you did with the fish (released it, ate it, etc.). Your help with this study is greatly appreciated and goes towards improving the overall bass fishing on Beech Fork. Many tournaments exist for the competitive angler on Beech Fork and other state reservoirs, check with local bait shops, and local marinas. Catfish are biting livers, cut baits and even lures. Anglers wishing to beat the heat can fish into the night and catch catfish and carp while using the proper bait. Try a spot, if you don't catch any after a half hour, move to a new spot and try again. Wheatie balls and biscuit dough flavored with various things work well for carp bait. For a tip use a basic river rig for the terminal end of the se-up. To prevent losing the entire rig if you get caught on the bottom, tie the sinker using line of less strength, when you pull back it will break causing you to only have to replace a sinker rather than your whole rig. Trout can still be caught in the tailrace while using small lures and bait. Long casts and downsizing one's lures and line will help tremendously. Additionally, angling in the tailwaters for other species is picking up with some nice catfish being landed recently.
BLUESTONE - The lake is at summer pool. Lake and tailwaters are cloudy. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-466-0156. Anglers should try 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 slug goes are excellent choices but anglers will find the best Topwater action early or late. Bluegill 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 liver and worms. Carp and channel catfish are hitting in the tailwaters with best baits being corn, and nightcrawlers. 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 milky. Fishing is good. Bass are in 10-15 feet of water. Try plastic baits and crankbaits. A fair number of crappie have been picked up along the shoreline. Catfish are being caught in the evening with worms and liver. Trout still remain in the tailwaters. Try powerbait and corn for trout. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-853-2398.
EAST LYNN - Lake is at summer pool. Lake and tailwater are clear. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-849-9861. Bass fishing is slow presently on the lake. Fish deep, around structure, and during low light conditions to optimize your chances. Try Carolina rigged worms and surface lures around structure at dawn, dusk and at night. Walleye and saugeye can be caught while using minnows, shad imitating lures (match the size), and grub-tipped jigs fished near rocky points and underwater humps. Bass and panfish fishing are both improving with some nice bass being boated recently. Try soft plastics, crankbaits, and even topwater lures at dawn and dusk. Trout stocking for the spring is over. Despite this trout are still available to the savvy angler, downsize your lures and line while concentrating on a stealthy approach and presentation.
R.D. BAILEY - The lake is at summer pool. The lake and tailwaters are clear. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-664-9587. Some spotted bass should be hitting. 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 - The lake is at summer pool and clear. Bass are in about 10-15 feet of water. Try plastic baits and crankbaits. Crappie and bluegill have been caught on beaver huts and snags. Catfish are being picked up in the evenings. Fishing has been great for trout. Try powerbait and trolling with spinners.
STONEWALL JACKSON - The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. Bass are in 10-15 feet of water. Panfish are active and hanging around cover. A few crappie have been caught but fish have been hard to locate. Try a minnow and jig. Catfish are being caught in the evening with worms and liver. Trout still remain in the tailwaters, try powerbait and worms. Yellow perch are also being caught on worms. For more information contact Corps of Engineers at 304-269-7463.
SUMMERSVILLE - The lake is at summer pool and clear. The tailwaters are clear. Fishing is good Bass are in about 10-15 feet of water. Crappie and bluegill have also been caught around fish attractors. Outflow temperature is 65 degrees. Trout were stocked in the tailwater on June 7. If you are looking for back country trout fishing experience hike down in and enjoy some great trout fishing. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-872-5809.
SUTTON - The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. Bass are in about 10-20 feet of water. Try plastic baits and crankbaits. Bluegill fishing has slowed. Try live bait and micro-jigs. Crappie are also moving into cover. Trout were stocked in the tailwaters on May 25. The outflow temperature is 68 degrees. Powerbait and worms are working the best. For daily information call Corps of Engineers at 304-765-2705.
TYGART - The lake is approximately one foot above the summer level. All boat ramps are open. Smallmouth bass are getting ready to spawn and can be caught while using crankbaits or tube jigs along the shoreline. Start fishing for walleye at dark when they move into shallow water to feed. The heads of coves will warm faster than the main lake so bass and sunfish will be more active in these areas. Look for white bass at the head of coves or the upper part of the lake. Fish for crappie in the fish shelters between the boat ramps at the marina or around downed trees along the shoreline. There are also fish attractors in the West Hill cove.
NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
Ohio River (New Cumberland, Pike Island, and Hannibal pools and tailwaters) - Fishing success for all species has been good for the past month. This spring has been one of the best of the last several years. During normal flows, 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. During higher flows, fish will be active throughout the day. Hybrid striped bass will also move in and out of the tailwaters and tributary mouths, and can be caught while using large crankbaits. White bass will be moving into tributary mouths. Fishing success will be increasing for all species as water temperatures rise. The water temperature in embayments will increase faster than the main river, so largemouth bass and sunfish will be more active in these areas.
Monongahela River - Fishing success for all species has been good for the past month. This spring has been one of the best of the last several years. Sauger, smallmouth bass, walleye and white bass are attracted to the currents at lock and dam tailwaters. Sauger and walleye will begin feeding at dusk but white bass and channel catfish will be active all day. Jigs with minnows are particularly good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive. White or chartreuse are good colors. 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. Fishing success will be increasing for all species as water temperatures rise. The water temperature in embayments will increase faster than the main rive, so largemouth bass and sunfish will be more active in these areas, particularly Whiteday Creek, Pricketts Creek and Indian Creek.
Cheat Lake - Yellow perch are being caught around the bridges and channel catfish have become active throughout the lake. The embayments at the Cheat Lake Park will warm up faster than the main lake. This is a good area for bank anglers to catch sunfish and largemouth bass. Now is the time to fish for big bass. Cheat Lake has been one of the top lakes for bass fishing tournament success for the past 5 years. Smallmouth bass are starting to spawn above Mt. Chateau. Keep track of the lake elevation and predicted daily changes in elevation on the Cheat Lake website at www.cheatlaketoday.com. The lake is now at the summer level and can only fluctuate 2-feet during the summer recreation season. The Cheat Lake Park winter boat ramp is closed and the Sunset Beach ramp is open.
Try the tailwater fishing pier for walleye and sauger. 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. Take US 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 - The water level in South Branch and Cacapon River are low and clear. The water levels in the Shenandoah River, Opequon Creek and most other streams throughout the eastern panhandle are also below normal. Anglers are still being extremely successful fishing for smallmouth. Anglers are still catching 20-30 smallmouth bass per float trip with a variety of baits including husky jerks, gitzits, and slugo's. Recent biological surveys have shown good smallmouth bass populations with a number of fish in the 3 pound range being observed.
North Branch River - The flows in the North Branch are between 100 and 200 cfs. and in optimal condition for wading. Water level in the North Branch is predicted to remain low for several days. Trout fishing has been good with rainbow and brown trout up to 6 pounds being caught.
Small Impoundments - Small impoundments are in good fishable condition. Bass and bluegill are in the near shore areas and around vegetation. Topwater lures like buzzbaits are hot just before dark. Recent biological surveys have indicated abundant bass populations with some largemouth bass in the 5-6 pound range being observed.
Jennings Randolph Lake - The lake is approximately three feet below summer pool and dropping slowly. Boat launches on both the Maryland and West Virginia sides are now open and anglers should focus on smallmouth bass and catfish. Many anglers have been catching nice channel catfish over the past couple weeks. Up-to-date recreational information for Jennings Randolph Lake can be found at www.nab.usace.army.mil/recreation/jenran.htm.
Mt. Storm Lake - Anglers are reporting good catches from Mt. Storm Lake. Recent fish surveys at Mt. Storm Lake indicate fish are feeding heavily on gizzard shad. A 12 pound 8 ounce hybrid striped bass was caught this past weekend and both largemouth and smallmouth bass are hitting top water lures. Anglers should be successful on any small silver flashing bait that resembles shad and many bass are feeding on crayfish. Recent bass tournaments have been very successful.
CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA
Area rivers are normal and clear. Lots of trout remain in the streams and this should make for some great stream fishing all summer. Get outside and enjoy. Check the WVDNR web page for updated fishing information.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
The New and Greenbrier rivers are providing some good fishing for smallmouth bass. Anglers should try white spinnerbaits, white plastic grubs or small rapalas in black and silver or live baits such as minnows. Spots below or above shoals are good spots to try. Fishing is still good in all of the small impoundments in southern West Virginia and you should catch some fish and have a great time but as the waters begin to warm, the bite may slow and anglers may want to concentrate on the early and late hours. 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, Stephens, 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 liver or softshells. This is a prime time to take a child 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 doughball or whole kernel corn for bait. Make sure your rods are anchored down with a rock or a carp may take it!! Good spots to catch a carp are Bluestone and R.D. Bailey lakes, New River and Kanawha River.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha rivers - The tailwaters of the lock and dam areas continue to produce but as stressed in the overall report anglers should begin to concentrate on low light periods and during the night, times when water temperatures will be their coolest. White bass and hybrid striped bass are hitting shad-imitating lures and minnows suspended below strike indicators. Try shad raps, white butterbean jigs, or any similar lures for hybrids and white bass. Fishing is much better for walleye and sauger near locks when the water is up some and slightly turbid if you can catch a sudden rainstorm. A slight rain, cloud cover, and fishing at night are all good patterns to follow for these toothy critters. Sauger and walleye are being caught on minnows and grub-tipped jigs. Try concentrating your effort also around tributary mouths on the Ohio and Kanawha, anglers might hook sauger, walleye, hybrids, or white bass. Experiment with various colors, sizes, and presentations until you find what they will hit on. Try using live and cut bait for large flatheads during dusk and dawn and into the night, you might be surprised what you catch!
Guyandotte and Coal rivers - Bass fishing is improving greatly. Experiment with lures, colors, and presentations. Start throwing topwater baits during the proper conditions for bass. Overcast warm days are good as are the periods of dawn and dusk. When not trying to tempt them with topwater lures, try soft plastic baits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits with varying retrieves until you find success. Trout stocking is over for the year but fishing is still good in many of the tributaries stocked by the WVDNR, consult your regulations to locate waters available for trout fishing. Try flies, spinners, natural bait, and a stealthy approach and presentation.
Poca River - Some bass and musky are being caught near Sissonville and Pocatalico. Catfishing is OK with area anglers having success with liver and cut bait. Many anglers are finding success by night fishing using large live bait for flatheads.
Elk River - Anglers along the Elk in Kanawha County are turning up catches of bass and the occasional musky. Target deeper holes found below shoals, and tributary mouths. Try casting medium to large plugs and spinnerbaits for bass and musky. One may even pick up a nice walleye or two while targeting other species especially if using jigs. Catfishing is picking up with some channels being caught on chicken liver. Try cut and live bait for big flatheads along structure and in deep holes.
Mud River - Musky and bass fishing is good. Cobb lures, Sisson baits, Mepps musky killer spinners, and "Amma Slammas" are all good choices for musky. Bass are being caught on a variety of lures depending on the conditions.
SMALL INPOUNDMENTS
Trout stocking is over but some trout remain in many of the small impoundments. Use stealth, light lines and target low light conditions. Don't forget about bass and panfish, try a variety of lures and bait to tempt these warmwater fish. They will be most active and easiest to catch during our present conditions. Anglers are also reminded that most small impoundments hold channel catfish. Try for these whiskered fish using chicken livers, cut bait, or other "stink" baits fished on the bottom. Nightcrawlers injected with air and fished off the bottom are also a great choice for these interesting fish. Of all things soap and bubble gum will also catch cats, try them!!
RESERVOIRS
Bass and panfish are in a post spawn pattern. Panfish may spawn again based on location and conditions during future full moon periods, pay attention to shallow areas previously targeted for these tasty fish during spawning. Prior to full moon periods staging areas adjacent to shallow spawning flats area also a good choice for panfish. Savvy anglers would be wise to pay attention to water temperature, and overall conditions to maximize their catch. Dawn, dusk and nighttime angling are all ways to beat the heat, and allow one to miss much of the boat traffic present on area reservoirs. Carolina rigged worms work well for bass in deeper water as do other creature baits. Locate and fish underwater humps, saddles and points using these rigs. Topwater action can be hot this time of the year, watch for shad busting the surface and concentrate your effort during the proper conditions (dawn, dusk, night, around cover, etc.). For panfish and crappie, fish around structure and downed trees in deeper water while using small jigs, worms for panfish, and small minnows for crappie. To target walleye and saugeye concentrate especially 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 consistently on shad imitating lures or minnows. Catfishing can be good anytime using livers, cut bait and even lures. Try a spot, if you don't catch any after a half hour, move to a new spot and try again. For some fast furious action locate shallow backwater areas with carp present either feeding or winding down from spawning. Anglers can find incredible action by arming themselves with either a spinning rod or fly rod and targeting these fish. Wade as quietly and as close as possible before casting long and in front of cruising fish. Many anglers term carp the WV bonefish due to their explosive runs when taken on a fly in shallow water. For flies use small nymphs and buggers. Small pieces of stale bread with a hook inserted and floated into their paths work on these strong fish. Corn is also a good choice. Carp can grow very big, be sure to use a rod that is able to handle their reel spinning runs.
RIVERS AND STREAMS
Fishing in area rivers and streams is good to excellent due to how far along we are into the early summer. Conditions are close to optimal right now for many preferred gamefish such as bass, panfish, walleye, and sauger. But, anglers wishing to optimize their fishing should begin to concentrate during the low light periods and during cooler periods (dawn, dusk, and night). Fish smart, downsize your offerings, and use long casts to disguise your presence. Fishing can be good anytime as long as anglers key on the proper bait, habitat, and recognize what the fish are doing. Many of the state's streams are low presently due to the lack of rain, usually productive areas/habitat can easily be distinguished and fished efficiently using a variety of natural or artificial baits. Tube jigs, jigs, small rapalas and spinners in various sizes all work very well for various game fish. A great strategy to use anytime in streams and rivers is to fish the seams or areas where fast water meets slack or slower water. Fish position themselves along the seams because they are afforded relief from the current while having access to higher velocity areas close by for feeding. These areas are especially good if they have visible structure close-by. For some fast furious action locate shallow backwater areas with carp present either feeding or winding themselves with either a spinning rod or fly rod and targeting these fish. Wade as quietly and as close as possible before casting long and in from of cruising fish. Many anglers term carp the WV bonefish due to their nymphs and buggers. Small pieces of stale bread with a hook inserted and floated into their paths work on these strong fish. Corn is also a good choice. Carp can grow very big, be sure to use a rod that is able to handle their reel spinning runs.
WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA
This is an excellent time to fish Ohio River Tailwaters. Anglers fishing below the Belleville and Willow Island dams are catching sauger, 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. Fishing for white bass can be quite good this time of year and medium-sized white spinners work well. Hybrid striped bass are being caught on the surface, and agitator bobbers, and large surface plugs work well for these top water feeders. Best spots to fish these areas include eddies and back-current sections, and anywhere that river flows are unusual.
Also along the Ohio River this year, fishing for black bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass) has been quite good. Bass anglers are using spinner-baits, rubber worms, jig-and-pig type combos and shad colored crankbaits. Largemouth are being caught in embayments and the smallmouth and spots are being taken from the river.
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 and O'Brien lakes in Jackson County. Woodrrum Lake is currently about half full, and the boat ramp is not useable.
This is also a good time to fish for catfish in area waters. Most public lakes have good channel catfish populations. Nightcrawlers, chicken liver or prepared catfish baits fished along the bottom is always a good method for catfish. Also, the slowly moving and muddier water that is found in the upper portions of lakes, just after rain events, are great places to find channel catfish. Larger stream and rivers hold channel catfish, but flathead or mud catfish are also available to catfish anglers. Tactics used in lakes work well for channels in these streams, but flatheads prefer live bait. Large minnows that are fished along deeper areas is the trick for these large catfish.
Musky streams are expected to be fishable this weekend. Hot spots this time of year include areas both upstream and downstream of fast moving water, and along downed trees. 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.
