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Fishing Report – 08.16.12

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BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is at summer pool.  Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information.  Bass fishing may be slowing now with hot day time temperatures.  Try fishing early in the morning or near dusk to beat the heat, channel catfish will be actively feeding during this time as well.  Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using white lures.


BLUESTONE
Fishing on the lake is good.  Largemouth and smallmouth bass are being caught at dawn and dusk and during the night using surface lures, and soft plastics.  Stripers and hybrids have been seen schooling and chasing shad around the pit area.  Try shad like lures and surface lures to garner strikes when they appear at the surface.  Catfish anglers are finding success by fishing during the evenings and night using cut bait and prepared dip baits.  For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.466.0156.


BURNSVILLE
The lake is at summer pool.  Lots of bass are being caught in and around cover.  Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover.  Reports of musky being caught while trolling in the lake.  A few trout still remain in the tailwaters.  For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.853.2398.


EAST LYNN
The reservoir level is at summer pool.  For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.849.9861.  Bass will be holding near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles.  Musky will be found near bush piles and fallen trees.  Channel catfish and flatheads will be good throughout the day.  Try crappie fishing around standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water.  A few walleye have been caught in the lake and tailwater.


R.D. BAILEY
Fishing on the lake is good.  Spotted bass can be found along drop-offs and points extending into the lake at this time of the year.  Good baits are plastic jigs, live shad, or crayfish.  Hybrid striped bass are also available for anglers at R.D. Bailey right now.  Best baits are lures such as rattletraps, spoons, or white/chartreuse jigs.  Anglers may also want to try chicken livers for this hard fighting fish.  For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.


STEPHENS LAKE
Stephens is very clear.  To improve the odds of catching fish, use light line, cast far, and reduce noise, fish quietly and carefully.  As mentioned previously, anglers fishing at dawn, dusk and into the night are finding greater success due to limited boat traffic and cooler conditions.  These anglers are using mostly surface lures like jitterbugs, buzz baits and prop baits for success.  Bass are also being caught using wacky rigged worms in various colors at various depths.  Catfish have been recently caught using chicken livers, worms and prepared dip baits.


STONECOAL LAKE
The lake is at summer pool.  Fishing is good.  Bass are being caught in and around cover.  Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait and jigs around beaver huts and fish attractors.  Try trolling a shallow running plug or jig.  A few perch have been caught in the upper end on minnows.


STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is five feet below summer pool and clear.  Fishing is good.  Bass are being caught in and around cover.  Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait.  Reports of large musky being caught while trolling the past few weeks.  Channel catfish have also been caught.  A few trout still remain in the tailwaters.  Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.269.7463.


SUMMERSVILLE
The lake is at summer pool.  Bass are being caught in about 10 to 15 feet of water.  It is a great time of year for walleye.  Try rocky points, drop offs and at the mouth of small tributaries entering the lake.  If you are looking for a back country fishing experience, hike down in the Gauley River gorge and enjoy some fantastic fishing.  For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.872.3412.


SUTTON
The lake is at summer pool and clear.  Fishing is good.  Bass have moved deeper because of warm water temperatures.  Most are being caught in and around cover.  Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait.  The tailwaters are low and clear.  A few trout still remain in the tailwaters.  Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.


TYGART LAKE
The lake is still at the summer pool level.  Water temperature is 81 degrees at the surface, 80 degrees at 10 feet, 79 degrees at 25 feet, 76 degrees at 50 feet, 75 degrees at 75 feet and 74 degrees at 100 feet.  Higher discharges last week flushed out cooler deep water.  Fish for walleye in 40 to 60 feet of water during the day.  They move into shallow water at night to feed.  White bass schools can be seen breaking water throughout the lake.  Cast crank baits, plastic grubs, or spoons to the schools as they surface and move around.  Bass tournament success continues to be good.

There are lots of walleye and trout in the tailwater.  An extra stocking of large brood trout occurred two weeks ago.  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).  Walleye can be caught using 1/8 to 1/4.ounce jigs with 3.inch plastic grubs.  Chartreuse is a good color.

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)
Bass fishing success have been good throughout the river.  There are lots of hybrid striped bass, sauger, walleye and white bass in the tailwaters and the river is in great fishing condition.  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 and deep running crank baits are also productive.  Hybrid striped bass will also move in and out of the tailwaters and can be caught using large crank baits, casting spoons or cut bait.


MONONGAHELA RIVER
Bass tournament success has been good the past month for largemouth bass around weed beds.  Fishing is also good in the Morgantown tailwater for sauger, walleye and white bass.  Sauger and walleye start biting about dusk for about an hour.  The shoreline from the Morgantown lock to the mouth of Deckers Creek is always a good place to fish from the shore.  Smallmouth bass are also abundant in this area.  This is also a good time for catfish throughout the pools in 15 to 20 feet of water.


CHEAT LAKEThe shoreline across from the Sunset Beach cove to the I.68 bridge is a good area to catch large sunfish.  Channel catfish are doing well and 2 to 3.pounders are abundant throughout the lake but the best area for catfish is upstream of Mt. Chateau.  Nightcrawlers on a number 6 hook with a ½. to 1.ounce egg sinker will catch catfish.  Bass tournaments continue to be successful.  Fish for walleye after dark along the shoreline when fish move into shallow water to feed.


EASTERN PANHANDLE

South Branch and Cacapon Rivers . Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are near normal flow for this time of year; however, localized thunderstorms can cause streams to rise quickly.  Water temperatures are near 80 and anglers on the South Branch continue to be successful catching smallmouth bass.  Try using slow moving plastics in deep pools and topwater lures in shallow areas and just off the shore.  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.  Recent biological surveys also indicate excellent channel catfish populations throughout the South Branch.

A fishing guide is available for the Eastern panhandle which includes a stream map and can be obtained free of charge from any of our district offices.


Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are near normal flow and in great fishing condition.  Try fishing for smallmouth bass with crankbaits and topwaters near the head of pools around large rocks or other structure.  The WVDNR in cooperation with Jefferson County Parks and Recreation have extended the boat ramp at the Moulton Park public access and it is now usable.


North Branch River

Flows in the North Branch is near 150 cfs and projected to remain at the current level for several more days.  No additional white water events are scheduled for the North Branch this year. 
Small Impoundments . Small impoundments are in great fishing condition.  Recent biological surveys have indicated excellent largemouth bass population.  Most small impoundments are stratified which means low oxygen levels could occur in deep water so fish shallow.  A new impoundment has been created at the Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area in Hampshire County and has been stocked with sunfish, smallmouth bass and channel catfish.


Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently 19 feet below conservation pool and continuing to drop.  Anglers have reported good catches of smallmouth bass on crankbaits and topwaters.  The WV and MD boat ramps are open so don’t forget you can buy a season boat launch pass.  The pass is honored at both the MD and WV ramps.  Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.


Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mt. Storm Lake should target striped bass, black bass and walleye.  Fish can be caught throughout the lake but many anglers do well fishing with chicken livers near the discharges.  Biological surveys have indicated excellent bass and walleye populations.


CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA


Water levels are normal and clear.  If you are looking for a place to go, please check the fishing regulations and the WVDNR website for a list of public access sites or call your local WVDNR district office for some advice and a place to fish.  Summer is a great time of year to introduce a young person to fishing.  Take a kid fishing this weekend; go see what you have been missing.  Trout still remain in local rivers and streams.


SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

The New and Greenbrier rivers are providing excellent fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass.  Flows are low and clear, allowing for wade fishing in the New and Greenbrier rivers.  Be safe if wading and wear a PFD.  Smallmouth anglers are finding success using a variety of baits and lures.  Many anglers are fishing into the night to beat the heat and are reporting success after dark using surface lures like jitterbugs, skitter pops and large vibrating spinnerbaits.  Mornings and fishing late into the evening are two other times anglers have been doing well on the New and Greenbrier for smallmouth and rock bass.  The blue damsel hatches is a major hatch to target for smallmouth in the New.  Try flies that imitate damsels or loud surface lures work also, due to smallmouth feeding heavily on the surface during these major hatches.  Carp or ‘the WV bonefish’ are also very prevalent in the New and Greenbrier rivers, and are easily spotted under low flow conditions.  With a little stealth one can easily approach these fish to within easy casting distance.  For a real challenge try sight casting to large carp in the shallows using small nymphs and odd flies.  Despite an unfitting bad reputation with some, carp will provide an unforgettable angling experience on light tackle, give it a try.  A recent angler reported catching and releasing a 17 lb. carp on his fly rod in the New River near Hinton.  District Four small impoundments offer good bass, catfish and bluegill opportunities, give them a try as well.  District Four streams are running low and clear presently.  A few reports of anglers catching brown trout during higher flows after rainstorms; otherwise, angling right now in small streams for smallmouth and trout will remain difficult due to the high temps and low flows.  Focus on fishing early and late to fool late summer stream fish.


SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA

Lower Ohio and Kanawha rivers – Tailwater fishing should be excellent.  Jigs with minnows could provide some excellent catches of sauger, white bass, hybrid striped bass and freshwater drum.  If artificial baits are your preference white and chartreuse are good colors to try.  Blue, flathead and channel catfish activity is picking up.


Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
Flows are low but local conditions will vary with the current spotty but strong storms we have having.
Small Impoundments –Bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with nightcrawlers or artificial baits.  Fishing for channel catfish in the evening should be excellent.


WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Late summer is an excellent time to fish Ohio River tailwaters.  Anglers fishing below the Belleville dam are catching white bass, hybrid striped bass, 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.  Recently, heavy metal lures have also been successful.  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.  Fishing along the Willow Island tailwaters is restricted due to hydro-power development.  Anglers now have access only to a point approximately 150 yards below the dam, and flows have changed significantly.

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 in Ritchie County, and Elk Fork, Woodrum, and O’Brien in Jackson County.  These lakes can also supply good bluegill fishing.  For sunfish use trout magnets or spinners, small jigs, or small worms.

Local musky streams should be fishable this weekend.  This time of year musky anglers use large crank baits or jurk baits and best spots are usually around fallen trees or riffle areas.

Stream Conditions
NORTHERN   Levels       Conditions
Ohio River (Wheeling)   Normal   Clear    
Fish Creek   Normal   Clear    
Fishing Creek   Normal     Milky  
Big Sandy (Preston)   Normal   Clear    
Monongahela River   Normal     Milky  
Wheeling Creek   Normal   Clear    
Buffalo Creek   Normal   Clear    
Blackwater River   Normal   Clear    
  
EASTERN PANHANDLE Levels Conditions
S. Branch (Potomac)   Normal   Clear    
S. Branch (Smoke Hole)   Normal   Clear    
Shenandoah River   Normal   Clear    
Patterson Creek   Normal   Clear    
N. Fork S. Branch   Normal   Clear    
Cacapon River   Normal   Clear    
Back Creek   Normal   Clear    
Opequon Creek   Normal   Clear    
Lost River   Normal   Clear    
  
CENTRAL Levels Conditions
Elk (Sutton)   Normal   Clear    
Little Kanawha   Normal   Clear    
Elk (Clay)   Normal   Clear    
West Fork River   Normal   Clear    
Gauley River   Normal   Clear    
Cranberry River   Normal   Clear    
Cherry River   Normal   Clear    
Cherry River (N. Fork)   Normal   Clear    
Cherry River (S. Fork)   Normal   Clear    
Williams River   Normal   Clear    
Knapps River   Normal   Clear    
Greenbrier (E&W Forks)   Normal   Clear    
Little River   Normal   Clear    
Shavers Fork   Normal   Clear    
Buckhannon River   Normal   Clear    
Holly River   Normal   Clear    
Elk River (Webster)   Normal   Clear    
Elk River (Back Fork)   Normal   Clear    
 
SOUTHERN Levels Conditions
New River (Hinton) Low     Clear    
Greenbrier (Hinton) Low     Clear    
Greenbrier (Ronceverte) Low     Clear    
Anthony Creek Low     Clear    
Big  Creek Low     Clear    
Meadow River Low     Clear    
Turkey Creek Low     Clear    
Potts Creek Low     Clear    
Second Creek Low     Clear    
Pinnacle Creek   Normal   Clear    
Horse Creek Lake   Normal   Clear    
Big Huff Creek   Normal   Clear    
Indian Creek   Normal   Clear    
Glade Creek (New River)   Normal   Clear    
Marsh Fork   Normal   Clear    
New River (Gauley)   Normal   Clear    
Glade Creek (Man)   Normal   Clear    
Camp Creek   Normal   Clear    
East River   Normal   Clear    
Fork Creek   Normal   Clear    
Dry Fork Creek   Normal   Clear    
Berwind Lake    Normal   Clear    
 
WESTERN & SOUTHWESTERN Levels Conditions
Little Kanawha River Low       Milky  
Ohio River Low       Milky  
Hughes River Low       Milky  

GFP - 08.17.2012
Environment • Wildlife • Fishing •

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