Wildlife
Wildlife
Fishing Report – 06.13.13
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is slowly rising to summer pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information. Bass can be caught throughout the day. Try fishing near downed trees, old stumps, and near points. Crappie are abundant in Beech Fork and can be caught on a variety of light lures. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using shad imitating lures or with live bait suspended below a bobber.
BLUESTONE
Due to high water, the lake has been muddy with more rain in the forecast. However, once the lake returns to fishable conditions the fishing on the lake should be good during early and late hours. 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 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 tailwater 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. A new boat launch was recently completed at ‘the Pit’. The old launch was becoming silted in and will be off limits during the construction of the new bridge over the Bluestone arm of the lake. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.466.0156. Be aware that in the future, the access at the Pit will be reduced due to the construction on the Bluestone arm bridge. Construction equipment and trucks will be on the site, be safe and be aware of your surroundings while using the Pit area to prevent any accidents. Once the construction begins, inconveniences to anglers and users of the Pit area will be reduced as much as possible as problems are sorted out over time. The construction will last through 2016. Please be careful as mentioned, be prepared to possibly wait a little longer to launch and pick-up your boat, and be sure to be courteous of others. Please bear with State Park personnel until issues can be worked out as they develop.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is at summer pool. Fishing is good. Water temperatures are in the mid 70’s. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on May 28. 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 fishing should be picking up with the warmer weather. Try fishing near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Larger crappie can be caught using live minnows and slip bobbers near standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. Try fishing for walleye near the dam. In the tailwater, trout and walleye should be actively feeding. A few reports recently from successful musky anglers casting and trolling.
R.D. BAILEY
Once the lake clears some from the past rain and that forecast for this week, anglers should find some spotted bass hitting early and late in the day. 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, respectively. Hybrid striper and channel catfish fishing is good off of shallow points at night. Best baits are chicken liver and soft shell 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. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
STONECOAL LAKE
The lake is at summer pool. Fishing is good. Water temperatures are in the mid 70’s. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait and jigs around beaver huts and fish attractors. Reports of perch being caught in the upper end on minnows. Trout fishing has been great. The lake was stocked with trout by the Stonecoal Lake Fishing Club a month ago.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. Water temperatures are in the mid 70’s. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. A windshield post card angler survey is being performed at Stonewall Jackson Lake. If you receive a postcard at one of our boat ramps, please remember to answer questions and return to WVDNR. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on May 28. 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 10 to 15 feet of water. For walleye try rocky points, drop offs and at the mouth of small tributaries entering the lake. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on June 04. The Gauley River was stocked by helicopter from the tailwaters down to the mouth of the Meadow River on June 05. 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. Water temperatures are in the mid 70’s. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 12 feet. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
Eleven fish were tagged in Tygart Lake for the Cabela’s Fish for Millions contest and three have been caught. The lake is at the summer level. Water temperature is 75 degrees at the surface, 74 at 10 feet, 68 at 25 feet, 62 at 50 feet and 60 degrees at 100 feet. Walleye prefer a temperature around 70 degrees. Look for schools of white bass breaking the surface throughout the lake. Use long casts with crank baits or jigs and 3-inch twister tails and follow the school as it moves around. The coves will be warmer than the main lake and the heads of coves are a good place to target bass, crappies and sunfish. Bass tournament success has been good.
The tailwater temperature is 60 degrees. 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)
The river is in good fishing condition. Bass tournament success rates have been very good. Largemouth bass will be nesting in the embayments where the water temperature is warmer than the main river. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters as well as sauger and walleye. One hour before and after sunset is the best time to fish for sauger and walleye. Minnows are the best bet but 3-inch plastic grubs are also good in white or chartreuse. Hybrid striped bass will congregate in these areas.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Large crappie were still being caught this past week in the Star City area. Look for them around trees lying in the water. Fishing should be good in the Morgantown tailwater for hybrid striped bass and white bass. The shoreline from the Morgantown lock to the mouth of Deckers Creek is always a good place to fish from the shore. This is also a good time for large catfish. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive. Boaters should try drifting from the dam to Deckers Creek using jigs and minnows or trolling deep running crank baits.
CHEAT LAKE
Large pumpkinseed sunfish are abundant on the shoreline opposite Sunset Beach Cove up to the I-68 Bridge. Channel catfish are doing well and 2 to 3-pounders are abundant throughout the lake but concentrated in the river above Mt. Chateau. Night crawlers on a number 6 hook with a ½ to 1-ounce egg sinker cast into 25 to 35 feet of water will catch catfish. The best area for yellow perch is from the Sunset Beach Cove to the I-68 Bridge. Walleye are now more abundant from the town of Canyon upstream to the head of the lake. Good walleye stockings in 2010 and 2012 should now be producing 13 to 15-inch fish. The new Ices Ferry fishing and boating access site is also open for bank anglers and canoes/car-top boats (no trailers) launching.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are above normal and the water is cloudy in some streams. Stream water temperatures in the 70’s and fish are feeding.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are high due to recent rain. Anglers have reported catching channel catfish and smallmouth bass in riffle areas. Try fishing crankbaits and topwaters near the head of pools around the bedrock ledges.
North Branch River
Flows in the North Branch is currently at 260cfs and projected to remain near that level for several more days. No additional whitewater events are scheduled for this year.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Small impoundments are beginning to stratify. That means oxygen levels are beginning to drop in deep water so you may need to start fishing more shallow. Recent biological surveys have indicated largemouth bass over 8 pounds. Some small impoundments have received adult channel catfish stockings which should provide angling opportunities throughout the summer.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently three feet below conservation pool and dropping slowly. Anglers have been doing well fishing for smallmouth bass and have been successful using both crankbaits and topwater lures. Both the West Virginia and Maryland ramps are open for the season. You can purchase seasonal launch permits from the Army Corp. of Engineers on the West Virginia side or from the Maryland DNR on the Maryland side of the lake. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mount 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. Recent biological survey and bass tournaments have caught lots of nice largemouth and smallmouth bass. Try fishing woody structure for largemouth bass and rocky shores for smallmouth bass.
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. It’s a great time for smallmouth bass fishing in rivers. Just because stocking season is over doesn’t mean the fish are gone. A few waters that were stocked recently are: Williams River, Watoga Lake, French Creek Pond, Indian Rock Lake, Dry Fork, Holly River, Elk and Gandy.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
The New and Greenbrier rivers, when they are at fishable water levels, are providing some good fishing for smallmouth bass. Anglers should try white spinner baits, white plastic grubs, or small rapalas in black and silver or live bait such as minnows. 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 soft shells. 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 dough balls 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. Bluegills are spawning all around the state and they make an excellent quarry for a young fisherperson.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing should be really picking up. Jigs with minnows or live minnows under a bobber 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.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
These rivers should be fishable this weekend. Many anglers are reporting good catches of bass and muskies from these rivers.
Small Impoundments
Trout, bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with night crawlers or artificial baits. Check the daily trout stocking report at 304.558.3399. Channel catfish are also currently being stocked into various impoundments around the state; give them a try as well.
WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA
This is an excellent time to fish Ohio River tailwaters. Anglers fishing below the Belleville dam are catching sauger, 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. 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. 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.
Also along the Ohio River this year, fishing for black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass) has been excellent. Bass anglers are using spinner-baits, rubber worms, jig-and-pig type combos, and shad colored crank baits. Largemouth are being caught along 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. As the water warms surface baits will also be productive. 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 Woodrum, Elk Fork, and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County. Fishing for bluegill in our small lakes is also good this time of year. Small baits and lures work well for these panfish.
This is also a good time to fish for catfish in area waters. Most public lakes have good channel catfish populations. Night crawlers, chicken liver or prepared catfish baits fished along the bottom are always a good method for catfish. Adult catfish were recently stocked into several area lakes. These include: Conaway Run Lake in Tyler County; Cedar Creek State Park Lake in Gilmer County; Moutwood Lake and Fort Neal Pond in Wood County; North Bend State Park Pond in Ritchie County, Turkey Run Lake in Jackson County, and the Wirt County Pond. Also, the slowly moving and muddier water that is found in the upper potions 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 are the trick for these large catfish.
West Virginia Record Skipjack Caught in Mason County
A state record skipjack was caught by Zachary Hankins of Chesapeake, Ohio on May 07, 2013.
Hankins caught the 19.21-inch, 2.64-pound fish on a crappie jig while fishing from a boat below the R.C. Byrd Lock and Dam tailwater on the Ohio River in Mason County.
Hankins’ skipjack establishes a West Virginia record for length and weight, exceeding the 19.1-inch skipjack that Howard Neal Craig caught last year on the Ohio River.
The record also exceeded a 2.61-pound fish caught by Steve Skeens from the Kanawha River in 2002.
Anglers who believe that they have caught a state record fish should check the record listing in the 2013 Fishing Regulations brochure.
Free Fishing Weekend is June 08-09, 2013
Event part of National Fishing and Boating Week
National Fishing and Boating Week 2013 will be highlighted by the 23rd annual Free Fishing Weekend on June 08-09, 2013, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the Division of Natural Resources.
During these two days, residents and nonresidents can fish in West Virginia without a license. “It is a great opportunity to remind people of the fun of fishing, especially with family and friends. If you already have a license, take someone fishing—it may be your children, spouse, or co-worker – and introduce them to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment,” Jezioro said.
The National Fishing and Boating Week concept began as a promotional activity sponsored by the sportfishing industry. The industry promoted fishing around Father’s Day. The recreational boating industry partnered with its sportfishing counterparts to develop a fishing and boating educational campaign.
From those beginnings, National Fishing and Boating Week has evolved into a very effective private/public partnership. The sportfishing and boating industries, fishing organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies work together to bring the message home that fishing is great fun and that healthy aquatic ecosystems are important.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) participates in a number of activities during National Fishing and Boating Week and Free Fishing Weekend, Jezioro said. Two of the largest and most successful events are the Bowden Fishing Derby held at the Bowden Hatchery in Randolph County and the Fishing Derby at Little Beaver State Park in Raleigh County. These events will be held on June 8. Children receive basic fishing instruction and will get the opportunity to enjoy time fishing with friends and family.
Mid-Atlantic Wildlife Training Academy Being Hosted by West Virginia University
West Virginia University will host the seventh annual Mid-Atlantic Wildfire Training Academy, June 08 through June 14, 2013.
The academy is presented by the Mid-Atlantic Forest Fire Compact, the West Virginia University Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service.
This year the academy has nine classes essential to wildland firefighting, including fire behavior, equipment use, and leadership development. These classes meet National Wildfire Coordinating Group standards, and participants receive a certificate upon completion.
“The academy provides important training to give Federal, State, and local firefighters the skills they need to battle wildland fires,” said Community Fire Planner Maureen Brooks with the U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry.
Approximately 120 participants have registered for the academy, according to Academy Coordinator Michael Vanderberg. Most participants are from State and Federal agencies who are members of the seven-state forest fire compact. “A majority of those attending the training academy this year come from our member States. We do have a couple of individuals coming from Indiana and South Carolina to get the training they need,” Vanderberg noted.
The Mid-Atlantic Forest Fire Compact is made up of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, and Delaware. Compact members promote effective fire prevention and the control of wildfires in the Mid-Atlantic region. Collectively, these States are responsible for protecting more than 35 million acres of woodland.
The compact reduces wildfire suppression costs for local, State, and Federal jurisdictions by allowing States to share personnel and equipment. The compact also minimizes the firefighting burden on any one State, when many fires occur at the same time.
Fishing Report – 06.06.13
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is slowly rising to summer pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information. Bass can be caught throughout the day. Try fishing near downed trees, old stumps, and near points. Crappie are abundant in Beech Fork and can be caught on a variety of light lures. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using shad imitating lures or with live bait suspended below a bobber.
BLUESTONE
Spring is here and some fish species are beginning to spawn as the water warms. Crappie are showing up on brush piles, flooded timber or downed trees where they will spawn. They will hit small minnows or doll flies. Bass may be caught off rocky points and around downed trees using live bait and artificials such as spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Anglers should look for points that have some cover such as stumps, logs, or weed beds. Try slow rolling a spinnerbait, bumping off the stumps. Some hybrid striped bass may be caught using large minnows. Anglers should try spots such as the mouth of Indian Creek or up the Bluestone arm as these fish, even though mostly infertile, still make mock spawning runs upstream. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters. Successful anglers are using tube jigs in pumpkinseed or motor oil colors. Anglers should be careful wading and wear your personal flotation devices. A new boat launch was recently completed at ‘the Pit’. The old launch was becoming silted in and will be off limits during the construction of the new bridge over the Bluestone arm of the lake. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.466.0156. Be aware that in the future, the access at the Pit will be reduced due to the construction on the Bluestone arm bridge. Construction equipment and trucks will be on the site, be safe and be aware of your surroundings while using the Pit area to prevent any accidents. Once the construction begins, inconveniences to anglers and users of the Pit area will be reduced as much as possible as problems are sorted out over time. The construction will last through 2016. Please be careful as mentioned, be prepared to possibly wait a little longer to launch and pick-up your boat, and be sure to be courteous of others. Please bear with State Park personnel until issues can be worked out as they develop.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is at summer pool. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. 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 fishing should be picking up with the warmer weather. Try fishing near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Larger crappie can be caught using live minnows and slip bobbers near standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. Try fishing for walleye near the dam. In the tailwater, trout and walleye should be actively feeding. A few reports recently from successful musky anglers casting and trolling.
R.D. BAILEY
With the waters warming up, fish are beginning to spawn. Crappie are congregating near the habitats where they spawn such as around standing timber and brush piles and they will hit small minnows. For artificials, use doll flies in white and yellow. Spotted bass are hitting plastic jigs in crawfish colors. The spotted bass will be found along the rocky drops with points with downed trees another good spot to try. Hybrid striped bass will be making a mock spawning run up stream in May so anglers may want to concentrate their efforts in the upper lake. The trout stocked in the tailwaters are still providing good fishing. Best baits are corn, salmon eggs, and small jigs. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
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. Reports of perch being caught in the upper end on minnows. Trout fishing has been great. The lake was stocked with trout by the Stonecoal Lake Fishing Club a month ago.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. 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 10 to 15 feet of water. 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. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 12 feet. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
Eleven fish were tagged in Tygart Lake for the Cabela’s Fish for Millions contest and three have been caught. The lake is at the summer level. Water temperature is 76 degrees at the surface, 76 at 10 feet, 66 at 25 feet, 62 at 50 feet and 60 at 75 feet. Walleye prefer a temperature around 70 degrees. The coves will be warmer than the main lake and the heads of coves are a good place to target bass, crappies and sunfish. Bass tournament success has been good.
The tailwater temperature is 60 degrees. 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)
Bass tournament success rates have been very good throughout the river. Largemouth bass will be nesting in the embayments where the water temperature is warmer than the main river. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters as well as sauger and walleye. One hour before and after sunset is the best time to fish for sauger and walleye. Minnows are the best bet but 3-inch plastic grubs are also good in white or chartreuse. Hybrid striped bass will congregate in these areas.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Large crappie were being caught this past week in the Star City area. Look for them around trees lying in the water. Fishing should be good in the Morgantown tailwater for hybrid striped bass and white bass. The shoreline from the Morgantown lock to the mouth of Deckers Creek is always a good place to fish from the shore. This is also a good time for large catfish. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive. Boaters should try drifting from the dam to Deckers Creek using jigs and minnows or trolling deep running crank baits.
CHEAT LAKE
Large pumpkinseed sunfish are abundant on the shoreline opposite Sunset Beach Cove up to the I-68 Bridge. Channel catfish are doing well and 2 to 3-pounders are abundant throughout the lake. Night crawlers on a number 6 hook with a ½ to 1-ounce egg sinker cast into 25 to 35 feet of water will catch catfish. The best area for yellow perch is from the Sunset Beach Cove to the I-68 Bridge. Walleye are now more abundant from the town of Canyon upstream to the head of the lake. Good walleye stockings in 2010 and 2012 should now be producing 13 to 15-inch fish. The new Ices Ferry fishing and boating access site is also open for bank anglers and canoes/car-top boats (no trailers) launching.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are low and the water is clear. Stream water temperatures have risen back into the 70’s and fish are feeding.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are near normal flow and in good fishing condition. Try fishing crankbaits and topwaters near the head of pools around the bedrock ledges.
North Branch River
Flows in the North Branch is currently at 260cfs and projected to remain near that level for several more days. No additional whitewater events are scheduled for this year.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Small impoundments are beginning to stratify. That means oxygen levels are beginning to drop in deep water so you may need to start fishing more shallow. Recent biological surveys have indicated largemouth bass over 8 pounds. Some small impoundments have received adult channel catfish stockings which should provide angling opportunities throughout the summer.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently two feet below conservation pool and dropping slowly. Anglers have been doing well fishing for smallmouth bass and have been successful using both crankbaits and topwater lures. Both the West Virginia and Maryland ramps are open for the season. You can purchase seasonal launch permits from the Army Corp. of Engineers on the West Virginia side or from the Maryland DNR on the Maryland side of the lake. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mount 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. Recent biological survey and bass tournaments have caught lots of nice largemouth and smallmouth bass. Try fishing woody structure for largemouth bass and rocky shores for smallmouth bass.
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. It is a great time of year to fish for walleye at the mouth of tributaries in our larger rivers. Remember to buy your 2013 fishing license before heading out.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
The New and Greenbrier rivers are in pretty good shape and anglers can catch smallmouth bass using tube jigs or spinnerbaits. Best spots are just below a shoal or rapid or in any eddy. Anglers may also want to try their luck at Kanawha Falls for musky or hybrid stripers (use big chubs and large white jigs for bait) or lake anglers can find some excellent bass and bluegill fishing at Plum Orchard and Pipestem lakes. Best baits are plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom; spinnerbaits are also good choices for the bass while the bluegill will take small jigs, red worms, or other small live baits.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing should be really picking up. Jigs with minnows or live minnows under a bobber 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.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
These rivers should be fishable this weekend. Many anglers are reporting good catches of bass and muskies from these rivers.
Small Impoundments
Trout, bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with night crawlers or artificial baits. Check the daily trout stocking report at 304.558.3399 to see if your area lake or stream has been stocked. Channel catfish are also currently being stocked into various impoundments around the state; give them a try as well.
WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA
This is an excellent time to fish Ohio River tailwaters. Anglers fishing below the Belleville dam are catching sauger, 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. 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. 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.
Also along the Ohio River this year, fishing for black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass) has been excellent. Bass anglers are using spinner-baits, rubber worms, jig-and-pig type combos, and shad colored crank baits. Largemouth are being caught along 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. As the water warms surface baits will also be productive. 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 Woodrum, Elk Fork, and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County. Fishing for bluegill in our small lakes is also good this time of year. Small baits and lures work well for these panfish.
This is also a good time to fish for catfish in area waters. Most public lakes have good channel catfish populations. Night crawlers, chicken liver or prepared catfish baits fished along the bottom are always a good method for catfish. Adult catfish were recently stocked into several area lakes. These include: Conaway Run Lake in Tyler County; Cedar Creek State Park Lake in Gilmer County; Moutwood Lake and Fort Neal Pond in Wood County; North Bend State Park Pond in Ritchie County, Turkey Run Lake in Jackson County, and the Wirt County Pond. Also, the slowly moving and muddier water that is found in the upper potions 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 are the trick for these large catfish.
Stream Conditions
| NORTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Ohio River (Wheeling) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fish Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fishing Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Sandy (Preston) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Monongahela River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Wheeling Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Buffalo Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Blackwater River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| |
| EASTERN PANHANDLE |
Levels |
Conditions |
| S. Branch (Potomac) |
Low
|
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| S. Branch (Smoke Hole) |
Low
|
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Shenandoah River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Patterson Creek |
Low
|
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| N. Fork S. Branch |
Low
|
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Cacapon River |
Low
|
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Back Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Opequon Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Lost River |
Low
|
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| |
| CENTRAL |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Elk (Sutton) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Little Kanawha |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Elk (Clay) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| West Fork River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Gauley River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Cranberry River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Cherry River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Cherry River (N. Fork) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Cherry River (S. Fork) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Williams River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Knapps River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (E&W Forks) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Little River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Shavers Fork |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Buckhannon River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Holly River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Elk River (Webster) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Elk River (Back Fork) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| |
| SOUTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| New River (Hinton) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Hinton) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Ronceverte) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Anthony Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Meadow River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Turkey Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Potts Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Second Creek |
|
Normal |
|
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) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Glade Creek (Man) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| 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 |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Ohio River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Hughes River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
Trout Stockings:
June 04, 2013
• Glade Creek of New River
• Summersville Tailwaters
• Williams River
June 03, 2013
• Boley Lake
• Glade Creek of Mann
• Opequon Creek
• South Fork of Cherry River
May 31, 2013
• Blackwater River
• Dillons Run
• Edwards Run
• Fort Ashby Reservoir
• Glady Fork
• Horseshoe Run
• Mill Creek of South Branch
• R.D. Bailey Tailwaters
• Red Creek
• Seneca Lake
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• South Mill Creek Lake
• Spruce Knob Lake
• Summit Lake
• Watoga Lake
• Williams River
May 30, 2014
• Big Clear Creek
• Buffalo Fork Lake
• Cacapon Park Lake
• Camp Creek
• East River
• Elk River
• French Creek Pond
• Greenbrier River
• Laurel Fork of Holly River
• Left Fork of Holly River
• Little Clear Creek
• Mash Fork
• Mash Fork of Camp Creek (Children & Class Q)
• New Creek
• North Fork of Lunice
• North fork of Patterson Creek
• North Fork South Branch
• Opequon Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• South Branch (Franklin)
• South Fork of Cranberry River
• Tilhance Creek
• Tuscarora Creek
West Virginia Rabies Cases Up Slightly So Far in 2013
West Virginia epidemiologists have seen a small increase in the percentage of animals with rabies so far this year.
According to data from the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, about 10% of the more than 140 animals that were tested in January through March, tested positive.
The Charleston Daily Mail reports that the animals that tested positive included eight raccoons, four skunks, a cat and a cow. Most cases were in eastern counties.
During the same period last year, about 6% tested positive.
Epidemiologist Shannon McBee says while the numbers are slightly higher than last year, they are “nothing out of the ordinary.“
Officials say total number of animals that tested positive for rabies in 2012 was 71, down from 138 in 2011.
Fishing Report – 05.30.13
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is slowly rising to summer pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information. Bass can be caught throughout the day. Try fishing near downed trees, old stumps, and near points. Crappie are abundant in Beech Fork and can be caught on a variety of light lures. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using shad imitating lures or with live bait suspended below a bobber.
BLUESTONE
Spring is here and some fish species are beginning to spawn as the water warms. Crappie are showing up on brush piles, flooded timber or downed trees where they will spawn. They will hit small minnows or doll flies. Bass may be caught off rocky points and around downed trees using live bait and artificials such as spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Anglers should look for points that have some cover such as stumps, logs, or weed beds. Try slow rolling a spinnerbait, bumping off the stumps. Some hybrid striped bass may be caught using large minnows. Anglers should try spots such as the mouth of Indian Creek or up the Bluestone arm as these fish, even though mostly infertile, still make mock spawning runs upstream. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters. Successful anglers are using tube jigs in pumpkinseed or motor oil colors. Anglers should be careful wading and wear your personal flotation devices. A new boat launch was recently completed at ‘the Pit’. The old launch was becoming silted in and will be off limits during the construction of the new bridge over the Bluestone arm of the lake. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.466.0156. Be aware that in the future, the access at the Pit will be reduced due to the construction on the Bluestone arm bridge. Construction equipment and trucks will be on the site, be safe and be aware of your surroundings while using the Pit area to prevent any accidents. Once the construction begins, inconveniences to anglers and users of the Pit area will be reduced as much as possible as problems are sorted out over time. The construction will last through 2016. Please be careful as mentioned, be prepared to possibly wait a little longer to launch and pick-up your boat, and be sure to be courteous of others. Please bear with State Park personnel until issues can be worked out as they develop.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is at summer pool. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. 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 fishing should be picking up with the warmer weather. Try fishing near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Larger crappie can be caught using live minnows and slip bobbers near standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. Try fishing for walleye near the dam. In the tailwater, trout and walleye should be actively feeding. A few reports recently from successful musky anglers casting and trolling.
R.D. BAILEY
With the waters warming up, fish are beginning to spawn. Crappie are congregating near the habitats where they spawn such as around standing timber and brush piles and they will hit small minnows. For artificials, use doll flies in white and yellow. Spotted bass are hitting plastic jigs in crawfish colors. The spotted bass will be found along the rocky drops with points with downed trees another good spot to try. Hybrid striped bass will be making a mock spawning run up stream in May so anglers may want to concentrate their efforts in the upper lake. The trout stocked in the tailwaters are still providing good fishing. Best baits are corn, salmon eggs, and small jigs. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
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. Reports of perch being caught in the upper end on minnows. Trout fishing has been great. The lake was stocked with trout by the Stonecoal Lake Fishing Club a month ago.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. 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 10 to 15 feet of water. 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. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 12 feet. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout April 25. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
Eleven fish were tagged in Tygart Lake for the Cabela’s Fish for Millions contest and three have been caught. Get details at www.cabelas.com/fishformillions . The lake is at the summer level. The coves will be warmer than the main lake and the heads of coves are a good place to target bass, crappies and sunfish. Bass tournament success has been good.
The tailwater temperature is 60 degrees. There are a lot 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)
The river is in good fishing condition. Bass tournament success rates have been good. Largemouth bass will be nesting in the embayments where the water temperature is warmer than the main river. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters as well as sauger and walleye. One hour before and after sunset is the best time to fish for sauger and walleye. Minnows are the best bet but 3-inch plastic grubs are also good in white or chartreuse. Hybrid striped bass will congregate in these areas.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Fishing should be good in the Morgantown tailwater for hybrid striped bass and white bass as water temperatures return to normal. The shoreline from the Morgantown lock to the mouth of Deckers Creek is always a good place to fish from the shore. This is also a good time for large catfish. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive. Boaters should try drifting from the dam to Deckers Creek using jigs and minnows or trolling deep running crank baits.
CHEAT LAKE
Channel catfish are doing well and 2 to 3-pounders are abundant throughout the lake. Night crawlers on a number 6 hook with a ½ to 1-ounce egg sinker cast into 25 to 35 feet of water will catch catfish. The best area for yellow perch is from the Sunset Beach Cove to the I-68 Bridge. Walleye are now more abundant from the town of Canyon upstream to the head of the lake. Good walleye stockings in 2010 and 2012 should now be producing 13 to 15-inch fish. Walleye are also being caught in the tailwater below the dam. The new Ices Ferry fishing and boating access site is also open for bank anglers and canoes/car-top boats (no trailers) launching.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are near normal flow and the water is clear. Stream water temperatures have dropped to the 60’s but are on the rise. The 2013 spring trout stocking season will be completed this week so check the 2013 fishing regulations to see if your favorite water will receive trout stockings.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are near normal flow and in good fishing condition. Try fishing crankbaits and topwaters near the head of pools around the bedrock ledges.
North Branch River - Flows in the North Branch are currently at 300cfs and projected to remain at that level for several more days. No additional whitewater events are scheduled for this year.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Small impoundments are beginning to stratify. That means oxygen levels are beginning to drop in deep water so you may need to start fishing more shallow. Recent biological surveys have indicated largemouth bass over 8 pounds. Some small impoundments have received adult channel catfish stockings which should provide angling opportunities throughout the summer. Some impoundments will receive a final trout stocking next week so check the regulation and trout stocking hotline for up-to-date stocking information.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently at conservation pool. Anglers have been doing well fishing for smallmouth bass and have been successful using both crankbaits and topwater lures. Both the West Virginia and Maryland ramps are open for the season. You can purchase seasonal launch permits from the Army Corp. of Engineers on the West Virginia side or from the Maryland DNR on the Maryland side of the lake. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mount 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. Recent biological survey and bass tournaments have caught lots of nice largemouth and smallmouth bass. Try fishing woody structure for largemouth bass and rocky shores for smallmouth bass.
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. It is a great time of year to fish for walleye at the mouth of tributaries in our larger rivers. Remember to buy your 2013 fishing license before heading out.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
May is the final month for trout stockings, so anglers that want to trout fish are encouraged to get out there and get their fill the next few weeks! Anglers should check the fishing regulations to see which waters will be stocked. For a more up-to-date list, please call the hotline at 304.558.3399. The New and Greenbrier rivers are are in pretty good shape and anglers can catch smallmouth bass using tube jigs or spinnerbaits. Best spots are just below a shoal or rapid or in any eddy. Anglers may also want to try their luck at Kanawha Falls for musky or hybrid stripers (use big chubs and large white jigs for bait) or lake anglers can find some excellent bass and bluegill fishing at Plum Orchard and Pipestem lakes. Best baits are plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom; spinnerbaits are also good choices for the bass while the bluegill will take small jigs, red worms, or other small live baits.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing should be really picking up. Jigs with minnows or live minnows under a bobber 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.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
These rivers should be fishable this weekend. Many anglers are reporting good catches of bass and muskies from these rivers.
Small Impoundments
Trout, bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with night crawlers or artificial baits. Channel catfish are also currently being stocked into various impoundments around the state, give them a try as well.
WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA
This 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. 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 also. 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. 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.
Fishing for largemouth bass in area lakes has been very good. Slowly fished plastic 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, Woodrum, and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County.
Crappie fishing has also been good at several lakes, these include North Bend and Elk Fork lakes, where angler are taking fish on minnows and small jigs or spinners.
Area trout fishing opportunities are winding down. Conaway Run Lake in Tyler County is the only lake in the area that receives trout in 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 small lures is also affective.
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 downstream 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.
Stream Conditions
| NORTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Ohio River (Wheeling) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fish Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fishing Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Sandy (Preston) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Monongahela River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Wheeling Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Hinton) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Ronceverte) |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Anthony Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Big Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Meadow River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Turkey Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Potts Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Second Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| 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) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Glade Creek (Man) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Camp Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| East River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fork Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Dry Fork Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Berwind Lake |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| |
| WESTERN & SOUTHWESTERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Little Kanawha River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Ohio River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Hughes River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
Trout Stockings:
May 29, 2014
• Anthony Creek
• Big Sandy Creek
• Bullskin Run
• Coopers Rock Lake
• Dry Fork (Randolph, Tucker)
• East Fork Greenbrier River
• Evitts Run
• Gandy Creek
• Knapps Creek
• Laurel Fork (Randolph)
• Little River East Fork Greenbrier River
• Little River West Fork Greenbrier River
• Middle Creek
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek
• North Fork of Anthony Creek
• North River
• Paint Creek
• Paint Creek (C&R)
• Paw Paw Creek
• Pond Fork
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• Teter Creek Lake
• Tygart Valley River Headwaters
• Warden Lake
• West Fork Greenbrier River
• Whiteday Creek
• Williams River
May 28, 2013
• Buckhannon River
• Brandywine Lake
• Brushy Fork Lake
• Buffalo Creek (Brooke)
• Burnsville Tailwaters
• Castlemans Run Lake
• Cherry River
• Clear Fork of Guyandotte River
• Cranberry River
• Kimsey Run Lake
• Left Fork of Right Fork of Buckhannon River
• Lost River
• Middle Wheeling Lake
• North Fork of Cherry River
• Pinnacle Creek (lower section)
• Rockcliff Lake
• Shavers Fork (upper section)
• Stonewall Jackson Tailwaters
• Sutton Tailwaters
• Trout Run
• Waites Run
May 24, 2013
• Bear Rocks Lake
• Blackwater River
• Buffalo Creek (Logan)
• Bullskin Run
• Cranberry River
• Elk River
• Evitts Run
• Laurel Creek of New River
• Laurel Fork of Holly River
• Middle Creek
• Mill Creek of New River
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek
• South Branch (Franklin)
• Summersveille Tailwaters
• Wheeling Creek
May 23, 2013
• Anthony Creek
• Back Fork of Elk River
• Desert Fork
• Kings Creek
• Knapps Creek
• New Creek
• North Fork of Patterson Creek
• Paw Paw Creek
• Pinnacle Creek (upper section)
• Shavers Fork (upper section)
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• Sugar Creek
• Tomlinson Run
• Whiteday Creek
• Williams River
May 22, 2013
• Boley Lake
• Burnsville Tailwaters
• Cacapon Park Lake
• Clear Fork of Tug
• Glade Creek of Mann
• Glade Creek of New River
• Glady Fork
• Marsh Fork
• North Fork of South Branch
• Opequon Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• South Fork of Cherry River
• Stonewall Jackson Tailwaters
• Sutton Tailwaters
West Virginia Hunters Harvest 10,974 Spring Turkeys
Preliminary harvest figures for the 2013 spring gobbler season indicate West Virginia hunters checked in 10,974 bearded turkeys, according to Curtis I. Taylor, chief of the Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section.
This year’s harvest represents a 32% increase over the 2012 harvest and is 13% above the previous five-year average.
“Our biologists expected a higher harvest because of the carry-over of birds from last year’s lower harvest,” said Taylor. “In addition, the weather was perfect for hunting, especially during opening week when the majority of hunters were in the woods.”
The 2013 harvest was higher in all districts and 52 counties compared to 2012. While the harvest in District 2 virtually equaled the five-year average, the other districts saw significant increases above that average. Harvest in District 3 increased almost 21% over its five-year average and both Districts 1 and 4 saw increases of 15% as well.
The top 10 counties were Preston with a kill of 403, Mason (360), Harrison (355), Kanawha (327), Ritchie (325), Jackson (312), Greenbrier (309), Wood (308), McDowell (305) and Marshall (301).
The 2013 harvest was the highest since 2006 and stopped a declining spring harvest trend that began in 2007. Similar to most hunted species, reproduction is correlated to harvests. Average fall mast crops which keep hens in good physical condition through the winter, followed by average springs with moderate rainfall, ensure good poult survival, which increases the population for future harvests.
“Because a significant portion of the harvest is composed of two-year-old birds, one factor that added to this year’s harvest was the successful poult production in 2011,” Taylor said. “We are hopeful that this spring will continue to provide moderate-to-average rainfall and we will have above-average reproduction, rebuilding the turkey population to levels we experienced a decade ago.”
West Virginia Spring Turkey Harvest, 2009-2013 |
County |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
Barbour |
209 |
157 |
160 |
182 |
161 |
Brooke |
86 |
91 |
93 |
74 |
105 |
Hancock |
98 |
109 |
107 |
92 |
110 |
Harrison |
310 |
265 |
242 |
282 |
355 |
Marion |
175 |
179 |
135 |
163 |
218 |
Marshall |
214 |
316 |
253 |
224 |
301 |
Monongalia |
215 |
257 |
218 |
221 |
261 |
Ohio |
64 |
94 |
92 |
87 |
129 |
Preston |
378 |
321 |
325 |
330 |
403 |
Taylor |
101 |
86 |
76 |
93 |
103 |
Tucker |
68 |
68 |
56 |
62 |
57 |
Wetzel |
213 |
199 |
125 |
210 |
256 |
District 1 Subtotal |
2,131 |
2,142 |
1,882 |
2,020 |
2,459 |
Berkeley |
83 |
89 |
86 |
88 |
99 |
Grant |
121 |
102 |
102 |
114 |
129 |
Hampshire |
194 |
149 |
119 |
120 |
120 |
Hardy |
172 |
158 |
123 |
101 |
121 |
Jefferson |
44 |
27 |
42 |
43 |
60 |
Mineral |
135 |
121 |
78 |
86 |
86 |
Morgan |
63 |
68 |
70 |
56 |
54 |
Pendleton |
114 |
98 |
100 |
95 |
117 |
District 2 Subtotal |
926 |
812 |
720 |
703 |
786 |
Braxton |
226 |
186 |
172 |
119 |
239 |
Clay |
89 |
65 |
85 |
77 |
146 |
Lewis |
241 |
237 |
201 |
181 |
222 |
Nicholas |
157 |
163 |
166 |
161 |
221 |
Pocahontas |
117 |
106 |
108 |
124 |
162 |
Randolph |
198 |
197 |
142 |
94 |
215 |
Upshur |
298 |
241 |
213 |
199 |
262 |
Webster |
113 |
102 |
99 |
94 |
117 |
District 3 Subtotal |
1,439 |
1,297 |
1,186 |
1,049 |
1,584 |
Fayette |
255 |
215 |
234 |
176 |
282 |
Greenbrier |
266 |
226 |
253 |
235 |
309 |
McDowell |
181 |
270 |
228 |
154 |
305 |
Mercer |
215 |
175 |
186 |
146 |
169 |
Monroe |
178 |
145 |
158 |
162 |
173 |
Raleigh |
227 |
182 |
215 |
185 |
239 |
Summers |
219 |
231 |
210 |
176 |
253 |
Wyoming |
227 |
287 |
242 |
132 |
249 |
District 4 Subtotal |
1,768 |
1,731 |
1,726 |
1,366 |
1,979 |
Boone |
111 |
185 |
185 |
144 |
224 |
Cabell |
157 |
236 |
134 |
129 |
132 |
Kanawha |
219 |
261 |
311 |
214 |
327 |
Lincoln |
183 |
278 |
188 |
157 |
210 |
Logan |
160 |
194 |
169 |
133 |
245 |
Mason |
419 |
551 |
445 |
343 |
360 |
Mingo |
95 |
115 |
138 |
92 |
141 |
Putnam |
256 |
323 |
236 |
196 |
221 |
Wayne |
146 |
234 |
182 |
92 |
144 |
District 5 Subtotal |
1,746 |
2,377 |
1,988 |
1,500 |
2,004 |
Calhoun |
129 |
120 |
96 |
138 |
177 |
Doddridge |
135 |
150 |
121 |
111 |
138 |
Gilmer |
147 |
135 |
137 |
132 |
191 |
Jackson |
257 |
286 |
290 |
244 |
312 |
Pleasants |
63 |
72 |
68 |
81 |
83 |
Ritchie |
206 |
239 |
212 |
233 |
325 |
Roane |
219 |
207 |
195 |
193 |
235 |
Tyler |
167 |
196 |
135 |
133 |
211 |
Wirt |
175 |
166 |
157 |
164 |
182 |
Wood |
279 |
279 |
277 |
236 |
308 |
District 6 Subtotal |
1,777 |
1,850 |
1,688 |
1,665 |
2,162 |
Unknown |
|
|
|
|
|
State Total |
9,787 |
10,209 |
9,190 |
8,303 |
10,974 |
Fishing Report – 05.23.13
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is slowly rising to summer pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304-525-4831 for more information. Bass can be caught throughout the day. Try fishing near downed trees, old stumps, and near points. Crappie are abundant in Beech Fork and can be caught on a variety of light lures. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using shad imitating lures or with live bait suspended below a bobber.
BLUESTONE
The lake is currently high and muddy so fishing is poor, however, once it begins to drop and clear fishing will pick up. Spring is here and fish are moving and feeding in preparation for spawning. Crappie may be found near any structure such as downed trees or brush piles. They will be hitting small minnows or doll flies. Bass are being caught off rocky points and around downed trees using live bait and artificials such as spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Anglers should look for points that have some cover such as stumps, logs, or weed beds. Try slow rolling a spinnerbait, bumping off the stumps. Some hybrid striped bass may be caught using large minnows. Anglers should try spots such as the mouth of Indian Creek or up the Bluestone Arm as these fish, even though infertile, still make mock spawning runs upstream. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters. Successful anglers are using tube jigs in pumpkinseed or motor oil colors. Anglers should be careful wading and wear your personal flotation devices. A new boat launch was recently completed at ‘the Pit’. The old launch was becoming silted in and will be off limits during the construction of the new bridge over the Bluestone arm of the lake. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-466-0156. Be aware that in the future, the access at the Pit will be reduced due to the construction on the Bluestone arm bridge. Construction equipment and trucks will be on the site, be safe and be aware of your surroundings while using the Pit area to prevent any accidents. Once the construction begins, inconveniences to anglers and users of the Pit area will be reduced as much as possible as problems are sorted out over time. The construction will last through 2016. Please be careful as mentioned, be prepared to possibly wait a little longer to launch and pick-up your boat, and be sure to be courteous of others. Please bear with State Park personnel until issues can be worked out as they develop.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is at summer pool. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. 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 fishing should be picking up with the warmer weather. Try fishing near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Musky will begin moving toward the head of the lake. Larger crappie can be caught using live minnows and slip bobbers near standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. Try fishing for walleye near the dam. In the tailwater, trout and walleye should be actively feeding.
R.D. BAILEY
The lake is currently turbid but as the water clears, fishing will begin to pick up. Fish are beginning to move and feed in preparation for the spawn. Crappie will spawn around standing timber and brush piles and will hit small minnows. For artificials, use doll flies in white and yellow. Spotted bass are hitting plastic jigs in crawfish colors. The spotted bass will be found along the rocky drops with points with downed trees another good spot to try. Remember to fish slowly! Hybrid striped bass will be making a mock spawning run up stream in May so anglers may want to concentrate their efforts in the upper lake. The trout stocked in the tailwaters are providing good fishing. Best baits are corn, salmon eggs, and small jigs. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
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. Reports of perch being caught in the upper end on minnows. Trout fishing has been great. The lake was stocked with trout by the Stonecoal Lake Fishing Club a month ago.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. 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 10 to 15 feet of water. 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. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 12 feet. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout April 25. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
The lake is at the summer level. Water temperatures are: 72 degrees at the surface; 68 at 10 feet, 63 at 25 feet and 57 degrees at 100 feet. The coves will be warmer than the main lake and the heads of coves are a good place to target bass, crappies and sunfish.
The tailwater temperature is 57 degrees. 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)
The river is in good fishing condition. Bass tournament success rates have been good. Largemouth bass will be nesting in the embayments where the water temperature is warmer than the main river. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters as well as sauger and walleye. One hour before and after sunset is the best time to fish for sauger and walleye. Minnows are the best bet but 3-inch plastic grubs are also good in white or chartreuse. Hybrid striped bass will congregate in these areas.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Fishing for all species is good and will only get better with increasing water temperatures. Fish surveys also reveal good numbers of large muskies and drum in shallow water along the shore at this time of year. Muskies can be caught by trolling or casting large crank baits throughout the river. A good pattern now is to fish for sauger and walleye an hour before and after sunset. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive.
CHEAT LAKE
The summer water level is now in effect and the Sunset Beach ramp is usable. The new Ices Ferry Fishing and Boating Access Site is also open for bank anglers and canoes/car-top boats (no trailers) launching. The best area for yellow perch is from the Sunset Beach Cove to the I-68 Bridge and also around the mouth of Morgans Run at the Cheat Lake Park. The coves will warm up faster than the main lake and bass and sunfish will be more active in these areas. Walleye are now more abundant from the town of Canyon upstream to the head of the lake. Good walleye stockings in 2010 and 2012 should now be producing 13 to 15-inch fish. Walleye are also being caught in the tailwater below the dam.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are near normal flow and the water is clear. Stream water temperatures are now in the 70’s and should be great fishing for the Memorial Day weekend. The 2013 trout stocking season will come to a close next week so check the 2013 fishing regulations to see if your favorite water will receive trout stockings.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are near normal flow and in good fishing condition. Try fishing crankbaits and topwaters near the head of pools around the bedrock ledges.
North Branch River
Flows in the North Branch are currently between 400 and 600cfs and projected to remain at that level for several more days. No additional whitewater events are scheduled for this year.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Small impoundments are beginning to stratify. That means oxygen levels are beginning to drop in deep water so you may need to start fishing more shallow. Recent biological surveys have indicated largemouth bass over 8 pounds. Some small impoundments have received adult channel catfish stockings which should provide angling opportunities throughout the summer. Some impoundments will receive a final trout stocking next week so check the regulation and trout stocking hotline for up-to-date stocking information.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently one foot above conservation pool. Anglers have been doing well fishing for smallmouth bass and have been successful using both crankbaits and topwater lures. Both the West Virginia and Maryland ramps are open for the season. You can purchase seasonal launch permits from the Army Corp. of Engineers on the West Virginia side or from the Maryland DNR on the Maryland side of the lake. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mount 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. Recent biological survey and bass tournaments have caught lots of nice largemouth and smallmouth bass. Try fishing woody structure for largemouth bass and rocky shores for smallmouth bass.
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. It is a great time of year to fish for walleye at the mouth of tributaries in our larger rivers. Remember to buy your 2013 fishing license before heading out.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
Trout stockings will come to a close next week so anglers are encouraged to get their fill of trout fishing before the waters become too warm. Anglers should check the fishing regulations to see which waters will be stocked. For a more up-to-date list, please call the hotline at 304.558.3399. The New and Greenbrier rivers are high and clear. Some of our lakes remain clear year round and lake anglers can find some excellent bass and bluegill fishing at Plum Orchard Lake. Best baits are plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom; spinnerbaits are also good choices for the bass while the bluegill will take small jigs, red worms, or other small live baits.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing should be really picking up. Jigs with minnows or live minnows under a bobber 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.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
These rivers should be fishable this weekend.
Small Impoundments – Trout, bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with night crawlers or artificial baits.
WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA
This 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. 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 also. 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. 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.
Fishing for largemouth bass in area lakes has been very good. Slowly fished plastic 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, Woodrum, and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County.
Crappie fishing has also been good at several lakes, these include North Bend and Elk Fork lakes, where angler are taking fish on minnows and small jigs or spinners.
Area trout fishing opportunities are winding down. Conaway Run Lake in Tyler County is the only lake in the area that receives trout in 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 small lures is also affective.
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 downstream 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.
Stream Conditions
| NORTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Ohio River (Wheeling) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Fish Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fishing Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Sandy (Preston) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Monongahela River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Wheeling Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Ronceverte) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Anthony Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Big Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Meadow River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Turkey Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Potts Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Second Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Pinnacle Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Horse Creek Lake |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Big Huff Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Indian Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Glade Creek (New River) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Marsh Fork |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| New River (Gauley) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Glade Creek (Man) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Camp Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| East River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Fork Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Dry Fork Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Berwind Lake |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| |
| WESTERN & SOUTHWESTERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Little Kanawha River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Ohio River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Hughes River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
Trout Stockings:
May 22, 2013
• Boley Lake
• Burnsville Tailwaters
• Cacapon Park Lake
• Clear Fork of Tug
• Glade Creek of Mann
• Glade Creek of New River
• Glady Fork
• Marsh Fork
• North Fork of South Branch
• Opequon Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• South Fork of Cherry River
• Stonewall Jackson Tailwaters
• Sutton Tailwaters
May 21, 2013
• Buckhannon River
• Gandy Creek
• Laurel Fork (Randolph)
• Left Fork of Right Fork of Buckhannon River
• Lost River
• Seneca Lake
• Shavers Fork (upper section)
• Spruce Knob Lake
• Summit Lake
• Trout Run
• Waites Run
• Watoga Lake
• West Fork Greenbrier River (railroad grade)
• Williams River
• Williams River (C&R)
May 20, 2013
• Big Clear Creek
• Big Sandy Creek
• Coopers Rock Lake
• Cranberry River
• East Fork Greenbrier River
• Little Clear Creek
• Little River East Fork Greenbrier River
• Little River West Fork Greenbrier River
• West Fork Greenbrier River
May 17, 2013
• Berwind Lake
• Buffalo Fork Lake
• Cranberry River
• Cranberry River (Children & Class Q)
• Cranberry River (C&R) lower section from Woodbine to Camp Splinter
• Deer Creek (Pocahontas)
• Dry Fork (McDowell)
• Dry Fork (Randolph, Tucker)
• Glady Fork
• Greenbrier River
• Lost River
• Lower Cove Run
• North Fork of South Branch
• North River
• Paint Creek
• Pond Fork
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• Shavers Fork (upper section)
• Summit Lake
• Trout Run
• Waites Run
• Watoga Lake
May 16, 2013
• Buffalo Creek (Brooke)
• Castlemans Run Lake
• Cherry River
• Horse Creek Lake
• Horseshoe Run
• Little Kanawha Headwaters
• Middle Fork River
• Middle Wheeling Lake
• North Fork of Cherry River
• Red Creek
• Right Fork of Little Kanawha Headwaters
• Rockcliff Lake
• South Branch (Franklin)
• South Mill Creek Lake
• Spruce Knob Lake
• Teter Creek Lake
• Williams River
Division of Natural Resources Warns: Don’t Feed the Bears!
The Division of Natural Resources reminds all West Virginia residents that feeding black bears is a violation of state law, as well as a misguided disservice to our state animal, according to Colin Carpenter, black bear project leader for the DNR Wildlife Resources Section.
“Some people will illegally set out food so they can get a closer look at this often secretive animal,” Carpenter said. “However, these actions often lead to the destruction of the bear. Bear movements are tied to food sources. Bears that roam in and around residential areas in search of food are less likely to stay if they do not find anything to eat.”
Capturing and moving bears that have become accustomed to humans is a costly and often ineffective way of addressing the problem, especially if it just moves the problem from one place to another.
Bear populations have increased in both number and distribution in the past 20 years. Bears are now found in areas where they have been absent for decades and have been reported in all 55 counties. Multiple reports of sows with cubs have been received from the northern and western portions of the state. “There is simply nowhere to move bears that have become a problem,” Carpenter said.
Human/bear interactions increase during the spring and summer for several reasons. Natural food sources are at their lowest point when bears leave their dens in the spring. Bears often spend several weeks feeding on green vegetation while continuing to lose weight. High-energy foods such as serviceberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries do not become available until later in the summer.
In addition, the bear breeding season, which peaks from late June through July, puts many bears on the move. During the breeding season, males will cover large areas while searching for females. This is also the time of year when adult female bears will chase off their yearlings so that they may breed again. Human-related food sources are higher in calories and easier to obtain than natural foods. All bears, especially yearlings that are on their own for the first time, will take advantage of easy food sources. Bears will continue on their way if they do not find easy food.
Bears quickly become habituated to handouts in the form of trash, bird seed, pet food and feed placed out for other animals, and lose their fear of humans. They then resort to raiding garbage, outdoor freezers, storage sheds, vehicles and other structures associated with people. Unfortunately, when these activities are repeated, DNR personnel are forced to humanely destroy the offending animal for safety reasons.
“The unintentional feeding of black bears is something that can be prevented, “Carpenter said. “Garbage should be secured in a bear-proof facility and placed out for collection on the morning of pick-up, not the night before. Food scraps that produce large amounts of odor should be sealed in a plastic bag before being placed in the trash. Food scraps should not be placed in a compost pile during the summer months. Residents should remove all outside pet food at night, and bird feeders should be taken down, cleaned, and stored until late fall to further discourage bears from feeding around human habitation. If you do not remove food attractants until after a bear has become a nuisance, you may have caused the death of that animal.”
Feeding of any wildlife should be avoided for numerous reasons, including, but not limited to, disease transmission, increased predation, habitat destruction around the feeding site, ethical concerns, and the animal’s overall health. Following these practical and common sense recommendations will reduce human-bear conflicts and assure that more of the state’s animals remain wild.
Inaugural WV Trout Festival Set for June
West Virginia’s trout anglers are gearing up for the first-ever celebration of the state’s trout-fishing heritage.
The inaugural Mountain State Trout Festival has been scheduled to begin June 01, 2013 at Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
The two-day event begins the day after the state’s final springtime trout stockings, and during the week when trout tend to feed most eagerly.
Event coordinator Phil Smith says the festival is a celebration of West Virginia’s sportsman’s heritage and the trout waters of the state.
West Virginia his home to more than 1,200 miles of trout streams.
The event is sponsored by the West Virginia Council of Trout Unlimited.
It will feature a fishing tournament and several presentations by trout-fishing experts.
Division of Natural Resources Seeks Input from Stonewall Jackson Anglers
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will be conducting an angler survey at Stonewall Jackson Lake, according to Bret Preston, assistant chief of the Wildlife Resources Section. The survey is part of the agency’s effort to evaluate two proposed fishing regulations.
Currently, a catch-and-release regulation is in effect for black bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass), and a 30-inch minimum size limit with a two fish daily creel limit is in place for muskellunge. DNR proposes to allow a six fish daily creel limit for all black bass, one of which may be 18 inches or greater; and a one fish daily creel limit with a 52-inch minimum size limit for muskellunge.
A stamped, self-addressed postcard containing questions about the proposed regulations will be placed on windshields of vehicles parked at the following public fishing and boating access areas: State Park, Vandalia, Little Skin Creek, Jacksonville, and Pen Run. Anglers are encouraged to complete the brief survey and mail the postcard to the Division of Natural Resources.
Grants Can Help Landowners Create Habitat in West Virginia
West Virginia landowners who want to apply for grants to improve wildlife habitat have until June 14, 2013 to contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The agency is currently considering projects for Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, funded by the federal farm bill.
They will be ranked and considered for funding in July.
West Virginia State Conservationist Greg Kist says the program funds activities that increase food, shelter and nesting habitats for various species.
Landowners can create habitat by cutting back woodland borders, fencing sensitive areas, restoring streams and planting warm season grasses, among other things.
Species targeted for help include the cottontail rabbit, grouse, mussels, trout and various songbirds, including the Golden Winged Warbler in West Virginia.
State Record Rainbow Trout Caught in Berkeley County
A state record rainbow trout was recently caught by Tony Corbin of Gerrardstown, WV, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the Division of Natural Resources.
Corbin caught the 30.5-inch, 17.31-pound fish from a private pond in Berkeley County on May 02, 2013.
He caught the record rainbow using a swimbait on 10-pound test line.
Corbin’s catch establishes a West Virginia record for weight.
The previous weight record for rainbow trout was a 15.65-pound fish caught by Aaron Propps from another private pond in 2005.
The state record length remains a 31.7-inch rainbow caught by John P. Arnett in 1993 at Stonecoal Lake.
Anglers who believe that they have caught a state record fish should check the record listing in the 2013 Fishing Regulations brochure.
The brochure also outlines the procedure to follow for reporting their catch.
This information is also available online at www.wvdnr.gov.
Fishing Report – 05.16.13
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is slowly rising to summer pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information. Bass can be caught throughout the day. Try fishing near downed trees, old stumps, and near points. Crappie are abundant in Beech Fork and can be caught on a variety of light lures. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using shad imitating lures or with live bait suspended below a bobber.
BLUESTONE
The lake is currently high and muddy so fishing is poor, however, once it begins to drop and clear fishing will pick up. Spring is here and fish are moving and feeding in preparation for spawning. Crappie may be found near any structure such as downed trees or brush piles. They will be hitting small minnows or doll flies. Bass are being caught off rocky points and around downed trees using live bait and artificials such as spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Anglers should look for points that have some cover such as stumps, logs, or weed beds. Try slow rolling a spinnerbait, bumping off the stumps. Some hybrid striped bass may be caught using large minnows. Anglers should try spots such as the mouth of Indian Creek or up the Bluestone Arm as these fish, even though infertile, still make mock spawning runs upstream. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters. Successful anglers are using tube jigs in pumpkinseed or motor oil colors. Anglers should be careful wading and wear your personal flotation devices. A new boat launch was recently completed at ‘the Pit’. The old launch was becoming silted in and will be off limits during the construction of the new bridge over the Bluestone arm of the lake. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.466.0156. Be aware that in the future, the access at the Pit will be reduced due to the construction on the Bluestone arm bridge. Construction equipment and trucks will be on the site, be safe and be aware of your surroundings while using the Pit area to prevent any accidents. Once the construction begins, inconveniences to anglers and users of the Pit area will be reduced as much as possible as problems are sorted out over time. The construction will last through 2016. Please be careful as mentioned, be prepared to possibly wait a little longer to launch and pick-up your boat, and be sure to be courteous of others. Please bear with State Park personnel until issues can be worked out as they develop.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is at summer pool. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. 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 fishing should be picking up with the warmer weather. Try fishing near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Musky will begin moving toward the head of the lake. Larger crappie can be caught using live minnows and slip bobbers near standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. Try fishing for walleye near the dam. In the tailwater, trout and walleye should be actively feeding.
R.D. BAILEY
The lake is currently turbid but as the water clears, fishing will begin to pick up. Fish are beginning to move and feed in preparation for the spawn. Crappie will spawn around standing timber and brush piles and will hit small minnows. For artificials, use doll flies in white and yellow. Spotted bass are hitting plastic jigs in crawfish colors. The spotted bass will be found along the rocky drops with points with downed trees another good spot to try. Remember to fish slowly! Hybrid striped bass will be making a mock spawning run up stream in May so anglers may want to concentrate their efforts in the upper lake. The trout stocked in the tailwaters are providing good fishing. Best baits are corn, salmon eggs, and small jigs. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
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. Reports of perch being caught in the upper end on minnows. Trout fishing has been great. The lake was stocked with trout by the Stonecoal Lake Fishing Club a month ago.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. 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 10 to 15 feet of water. 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. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 12 feet. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout April 25. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
The lake is at the summer level. Water temperatures are finally starting to warm: 65 degrees at the surface; 63 at 10 feet, and 62 at 25 feet. The coves will be warmer than the main lake and are a good place to target bass and sunfish. In the main lake, fish are still in deeper water, 10-20 feet.
The tailwater temperature is 53 degrees. 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)
The river is in good fishing condition. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters as well as sauger and walleye. One hour before and after sunset is the best time to fish for sauger and walleye. Minnows are the best bet but 3-inch plastic grubs are also good in white or chartreuse. Hybrid striped bass will congregate in these areas.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Fishing for all species is good and will only get better with increasing water temperatures. Fish surveys also reveal good numbers of large muskies and drum in shallow water along the shore at this time of year. Muskies can be caught by trolling or casting large crank baits throughout the river. A good pattern now is to fish for sauger and walleye an hour before and after sunset. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive.
CHEAT LAKE
The summer water level is now in effect and the Sunset Beach ramp is usable. The new Ices Ferry Fishing and Boating Access Site is also open for bank anglers and canoes/car-top boats (no trailers) launching. The best area for yellow perch is from the Sunset Beach Cove to the I-68 Bridge and also around the mouth of Morgans Run at the Cheat Lake Park. The coves will warm up faster than the main lake and bass and sunfish will be more active in these areas. Walleye are now more abundant upstream of Mt. Chateau than below the I-68 Bridge and are finished spawning. Good walleye stockings in 2010 and 2012 should now be producing 13 to 15-inch fish. Walleye are also being caught in the tailwater below the dam.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are slightly higher than normal but the water is clear. Stream water temperatures have dropped and are now in the 50’s but should get warmer by the weekend. The 2013 trout stocking season is underway so check the 2013 fishing regulations to see if your favorite water will be receiving early trout stockings.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are slightly high but in good fishing condition. Try fishing slow crankbaits and plastic near the head of pools around the bedrock ledges.
North Branch River
Flows in the North Branch are currently at 1000 cfs but projected to drop by the weekend. No additional whitewater events are scheduled for this year.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Some some impoundments have received adult channel catfish stockings which should provide angling opportunities throughout the summer. Some impoundments are still receiving spring trout stockings so check the regulation and trout stocking hotline for up-to-date stocking information.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently near conservation pool and dropping slowly. Anglers have been doing well fishing for smallmouth bass and have been successful using both crankbaits and topwater lures. Both the West Virginia and Maryland ramps are open for the season. You can purchase seasonal launch permits from the Army Corp. of Engineers on the West Virginia side or from the Maryland DNR on the Maryland side of the lake. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mount Storm Lake should target striped bass, black bass and walleye. Dominion Power has reinstalled the floating courtesy dock at the public boat launch to assist boat anglers. Fish can be caught throughout the lake but many anglers do well fishing with chicken livers near the discharges. Recent biological survey and bass tournaments have caught lots of nice largemouth and smallmouth bass. Try fishing woody structure for largemouth bass and rocky shores for smallmouth bass.
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. It is a great time of year to fish for walleye at the mouth of tributaries in our larger rivers. Remember to buy your 2013 fishing license before heading out.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
Trout stockings are winding down so anglers are encouraged to get their fill of trout fishing before the waters become too warm. Anglers should check the fishing regulations to see which waters will be stocked. For a more up-to-date list, please call the hotline at 304.558.3399. The New and Greenbrier rivers are high and muddy and unfishable at present. Some of our lakes remain clear year round and lake anglers can find some excellent bass and bluegill fishing at Plum Orchard Lake. Best baits are plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom; spinnerbaits are also good choices for the bass while the bluegill will take small jigs, red worms, or other small live baits.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing should be really picking up with a return to lower flows. Jigs with minnows or live minnows under a bobber 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.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
These rivers should be fishable this weekend.
Small Impoundments
Trout, bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with night crawlers or artificial baits. Check the daily trout stocking report at 304.558.
WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA
This 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. 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 also. 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. 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.
Fishing for largemouth bass in area lakes has been very good. Slowly fished plastic 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, Woodrum, and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County.
Crappie fishing has also been good at several lakes, these include North Bend and Elk Fork lakes, where angler are taking fish on minnows and small jigs or spinners.
Area trout fishing opportunities are winding down. Conaway Run Lake in Tyler County is the only lake in the area that receives trout in 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 small lures is also affective.
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 downstream 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.
Stream Conditions
| NORTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Ohio River (Wheeling) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fish Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fishing Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Sandy (Preston) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Monongahela River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Wheeling Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Buffalo Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Blackwater River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| |
| EASTERN PANHANDLE |
Levels |
Conditions |
| S. Branch (Potomac) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| S. Branch (Smoke Hole) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Shenandoah River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Patterson Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| N. Fork S. Branch |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Cacapon River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Back Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Opequon Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Lost River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| |
| CENTRAL |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Elk (Sutton) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Little Kanawha |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Elk (Clay) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| West Fork River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Gauley River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Cranberry River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Cherry River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Cherry River (N. Fork) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Cherry River (S. Fork) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Williams River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Knapps River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (E&W Forks) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Little River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Shavers Fork |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Buckhannon River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Holly River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Elk River (Webster) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Elk River (Back Fork) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| |
| SOUTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| New River (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Greenbrier (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Greenbrier (Ronceverte) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Anthony Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Big Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Meadow River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Turkey Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Potts Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Second Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| 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) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Glade Creek (Man) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| 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 |
|
Normal |
|
|
|
Muddy |
| Ohio River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Hughes River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
Trout Stockings:
May 15, 2013
• Anthony Creek
• Bear Rocks Lake
• Brandywine Lake
• Brushy Fork Lake
• Bullskin Run
• Cacapon Park Lake
• Camp Creek
• Cranberry River
• East River
• Elk River
• Evitts Run
• Gandy Creek
• Knapps Creek
• Laurel Fork (Randolph)
• Mash Fork
• Mash Fork of Camp Creek (Children & Class Q)
• New Creek
• North Fork of Lunice
• North Fork of Patterson Creek
• Opequon Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• Second Creek (C&R)
• Shavers Fork (lower section rail stocking) Bowden to Bemis
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• Wheeling Creek
May 14, 2013
• Blackwater River
• East Fork Greenbrier River
• Little River East Fork Greenbrier River
• Little River West Fork Greenbrier River
• Middle Creek
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek
• Mill Run of Back Creek
• R.D. Bailey Tailwaters
• Shavers Fork (upper section)
• Tilhance Creek
• Tuscarora Creek
• Tygart Valley River Headwaters
• West Fork Greenbrier River
May 13, 2013
• Clear Fork of Guyandotte River
• Dillons Run
• Edwards Run
• Fort Ashby Reservoir
• French Creek Pond
• Jimmy Lewis Lake
• Kimsey Run Lake
• Laurel Fork of Holly River
• Left Fork of Holly River
• Meadow Creek of Anthony Creek
• Mill Creek of South Branch
• North Fork of Anthony Creek
• Pinnacle Creek (lower section)
• South Fork of Cranberry River
• Wallback Lake
• Warden Lake
• West Fork Greenbrier River (railroad grade)
• Williams River
May 10, 2013
• Anthony Creek
• Big Sandy Creek
• Buckhannon River
• Coopers Rock Lake
• Hills Creek
• Knapps Creek
• Left Fork of Right Fork of Buckhannon River
• Mill Creek Reservoir
• Paw Paw Creek
• Poorhouse Pond
• Potts Creek
• Right Fork of Buckhannon River
• Rockhouse Lake
• Seneca Lake
• Shavers Fork (upper section rail stocking) C&R section
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• South Fork of Potts Creek
• Spruce Laurel Fork
• Teter Creek Lake
• Tuckahoe Lake
• Whiteday Creek
Anglers and Boaters Asked to Help Protect West Virginia Waters
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is asking anglers and boaters to help prevent the movement of Asian Carp and other invasive species into West Virginia waters, according to WVDNR Director Frank Jezioro.
Aquatic invasive species pose threats to important recreational species, recreational fishing and boating, and ultimately, the economic benefits these activities provide.
In West Virginia, the economic impact of fishing alone represents more than $600 million to the state’s economy creating more than 7,000 jobs statewide.
“To prevent the movement and invasion of Asian carp and other aquatic invasive species, we are asking anglers and boaters not to transfer any live fish or water between water bodies,” said Chris O’Bara, DNR fisheries biologist. “We also ask them to properly clean and maintain all boats, live wells, and tackle after each boating or fishing trip.”
Anglers are asked not to release unused bait into any water body at the end of a fishing trip. Bait that was collected from the water that they were fishing may be released back into that same water. Properly disposing of unused bait in the trash minimizes the movement of aquatic invasive species. These measures are especially important in the Ohio River where some species of Asian carp have been collected by Wildlife Resources Section biologists.
A second way to help prevent the spread of Asian carp and other aquatic invasive species is to learn about these organisms and how to distinguish these unwanted species from the state’s native species.
Anglers and all outdoor enthusiasts can learn more about aquatic invasive species at wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Invasive_Species.shtm.
Anglers and boaters also can provide information on potential sightings of Asian carp and other aquatic invasive species at the website.
Daily G-Eye™ : 05.16.13
Submit photos for this daily feature. You may select to have your name listed as well.
Send your photo(s) to “tellus@gilmerfreepress.net”
Fishing Report – 05.09.13
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is slowly rising to summer pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information. Bass can be caught throughout the day. Try fishing near downed trees, old stumps, and near points. Crappie are abundant in Beech Fork and can be caught on a variety of light lures. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using shad imitating lures or with live bait suspended below a bobber.
BLUESTONE
The lake is currently high and muddy so fishing is poor, however, once it begins to drop and clear fishing will pick up. Spring is here and fish are moving and feeding in preparation for spawning. Crappie may be found near any structure such as downed trees or brush piles. They will be hitting small minnows or doll flies. Bass are being caught off rocky points and around downed trees using live bait and artificials such as spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Anglers should look for points that have some cover such as stumps, logs, or weed beds. Try slow rolling a spinnerbait, bumping off the stumps. Some hybrid striped bass may be caught using large minnows. Anglers should try spots such as the mouth of Indian Creek or up the Bluestone Arm as these fish, even though infertile, still make mock spawning runs upstream. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters. Successful anglers are using tube jigs in pumpkinseed or motor oil colors. Anglers should be careful wading and wear your personal flotation devices. A new boat launch was recently completed at ‘the Pit’. The old launch was becoming silted in and will be off limits during the construction of the new bridge over the Bluestone arm of the lake. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-466-0156. Be aware that in the future, the access at the Pit will be reduced due to the construction on the Bluestone arm bridge. Construction equipment and trucks will be on the site, be safe and be aware of your surroundings while using the Pit area to prevent any accidents. Once the construction begins, inconveniences to anglers and users of the Pit area will be reduced as much as possible as problems are sorted out over time. The construction will last through 2016. Please be careful as mentioned, be prepared to possibly wait a little longer to launch and pick-up your boat, and be sure to be courteous of others. Please bear with State Park personnel until issues can be worked out as they develop.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is at summer pool. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 25. 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 fishing should be picking up with the warmer weather. Try fishing near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Musky will begin moving toward the head of the lake. Larger crappie can be caught using live minnows and slip bobbers near standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. Try fishing for walleye near the dam. In the tailwater, trout and walleye should be actively feeding.
R.D. BAILEY
The lake is currently turbid but as the water clears, fishing will begin to pick up. Fish are beginning to move and feed in preparation for the spawn. Crappie will spawn around standing timber and brush piles and will hit small minnows. For artificials, use doll flies in white and yellow. Spotted bass are hitting plastic jigs in crawfish colors. The spotted bass will be found along the rocky drops with points with downed trees another good spot to try. Remember to fish slowly! Hybrid striped bass will be making a mock spawning run up stream in May so anglers may want to concentrate their efforts in the upper lake. The trout stocked in the tailwaters are providing good fishing. Best baits are corn, salmon eggs, and small jigs. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
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. Reports of perch being caught in the upper end on minnows. Trout fishing has been great. The lake was stocked with trout by the Stonecoal Lake Fishing Club three weeks ago.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 25. 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 10 to 15 feet of water. 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. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 26. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.872.3412.
SUTTON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 12 feet. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout April 25. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
The lake is at the summer level. Water temperatures are finally starting to warm: 65 degrees at the surface; 63 at 10 feet, and 62 at 25 feet. The coves will be warmer than the main lake and are a good place to target bass and sunfish. In the main lake, fish are still in deeper water, 10-20 feet.
The tailwater temperature is 53 degrees. 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)
The river is in good fishing condition. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters as well as sauger and walleye. One hour before and after sunset is the best time to fish for sauger and walleye. Minnows are the best bet but 3-inch plastic grubs are also good in white or chartreuse. Hybrid striped bass will congregate in these areas.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Fishing for all species is good and will only get better with increasing water temperatures. Fish surveys also reveal good numbers of large muskies and drum in shallow water along the shore at this time of year. Muskies can be caught by trolling or casting large crank baits throughout the river. A good pattern now is to fish for sauger and walleye an hour before and after sunset. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive.
CHEAT LAKE
The summer water level is now in effect and the Sunset Beach ramp is usable. The new Ices Ferry Fishing and Boating Access Site is also open for bank anglers and canoes/car-top boats (no trailers) launching. The best area for yellow perch is from the Sunset Beach Cove to the I-68 Bridge and also around the mouth of Morgans Run at the Cheat Lake Park. The coves will warm up faster than the main lake and bass and sunfish will be more active in these areas. Walleye are now more abundant upstream of Mt. Chateau than below the I-68 Bridge and are finished spawning. Good walleye stockings in 2010 and 2012 should now be producing 13 to 15-inch fish. Walleye are also being caught in the tailwater below the dam.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are very high and muddy. Most streams are unfishable but flow should drop significantly by the weekend. Stream water temperatures have dropped and are near 60 but will warm by the weekend. The 2013 trout stocking season is underway so check the 2013 fishing regulations to see if your favorite water will be receiving early trout stockings.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are high and on the rise. The flows may be adequate for fishing by the weekend. Try fishing slow crankbaits and plastic near the head of pools around the bedrock ledges.
North Branch River
Flows in the North Branch are currently at 2500 cfs and too high for angling. Flows are projected to drop over the next couple of days. No additional whitewater events are scheduled for this year.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Select small impoundments are receiving spring trout stockings so check the regulation and trout stocking hotline for up-to-date stocking information.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently five feet above conservation pool and rising slowly. Both the West Virginia and Maryland ramps are open for the season. You can purchase seasonal launch permits from the Army Corp. of Engineers on the West Virginia side or from the Maryland DNR on the Maryland side of the lake. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mount Storm Lake should target striped bass, black bass and walleye. Dominion Power has reinstalled the floating courtesy dock at the public boat launch to assist boat anglers. Fish can be caught throughout the lake but many anglers do well fishing with chicken livers near the discharges. Recent biological survey and bass tournaments have caught lots of nice largemouth and smallmouth bass. Try fishing woody structure for largemouth bass and rocky shores for smallmouth bass.
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. It is a great time of year to fish for walleye at the mouth of tributaries in our larger rivers. Remember to buy your 2013 fishing license before heading out.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
Trout stockings are in full gear now so anglers are encouraged to get their fill of trout fishing before the waters become too warm. Anglers should check the fishing regulations to see which waters will be stocked. For a more up-to-date list, please call the hotline at 304.558.3399. The New and Greenbrier rivers are high and muddy and unfishable at present. Some of our lakes remain clear year round and lake anglers can find some excellent bass and bluegill fishing at Plum Orchard Lake. Best baits are plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom; spinnerbaits are also good choices for the bass while the bluegill will take small jigs, red worms, or other small live baits.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing should be really picking up with a return to lower flows. Jigs with minnows or live minnows under a bobber 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.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
These rivers should be fishable this weekend.
Small Impoundments – Trout, bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with night crawlers or artificial baits.
WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA
This 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. 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 also. Hybrid striped bass are being caught on the surface with 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. 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.
Fishing for largemouth bass in area lakes has been very good. Slowly fished plastic 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, Woodrum, and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County.
Crappie fishing has also been good at several lakes; these include North Bend and Elk Fork lakes, where anglers are taking fish on minnows and small jigs or spinners.
Area trout fishing opportunities are winding down. Conaway Run Lake in Tyler County is the only lake in the area that receives trout in 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 small lures is also affective.
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 downstream 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.
Stream Conditions
| NORTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Ohio River (Wheeling) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fish Creek |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fishing Creek |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Sandy (Preston) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Monongahela River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Wheeling Creek |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Buffalo Creek |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Blackwater River |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| |
| EASTERN PANHANDLE |
Levels |
Conditions |
| S. Branch (Potomac) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| S. Branch (Smoke Hole) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Shenandoah River |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Patterson Creek |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| N. Fork S. Branch |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Cacapon River |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Back Creek |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Opequon Creek |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Lost River |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| |
| 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) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Greenbrier (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Ronceverte) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Anthony Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Meadow River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Turkey Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Potts Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Second Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| 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 |
|
Trout Stockings:
May 09, 2013
• Bullskin Run
• Clover Run
• Cranberry River
• East Fork Greenbrier River
• Evitts Run
• Gandy Creek
• Laurel Fork (Randolph)
• Left Fork of Buckhannon River (rail stocking)
• Little River East Fork Greenbrier River
• Little River West Fork Greenbrier River
• Long Marsh Run
• Newburg Lake
• North Fork of South Branch
• Right Fork of Middle Fork
• Rocky Marsh Run
• Spruce Knob Lake
• West Fork Greenbrier River
• Williams River
May 08, 2013
• Big Clear Creek
• Boley Lake
• Buckhannon River (rail stocking)
• Burnsville Tailwaters
• Glade Creek of Mann
• Glady Fork
• Little Clear Creek
• Middle Creek
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek
• Opequon Creek
• Panther Creek
• R.D. Bailey Tailwaters
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• Shavers Fork (upper section rail stocking) downstream of C&R section to Bemis
• Stonewall Jackson Tailwaters
• Sutton Tailwaters
May 07, 2013
• Anawalt Lake
• Cranberry River
• Dog Run Lake
• Elk River
• Glade Creek of New River
• Lost River
• New Creek
• North Fork of Patterson Creek
• South Branch (Franklin)
• South Fork of Cherry River
• Summit Lake
• Trout Run
• Tygart Tailwaters
• Waites Run
• Watoga Lake
May 06, 2013
• Blackwater River
• Dunloup Creek
• Hopkins Fork
• Indian Rocks Lake
• Moores Run
• Shavers Fork (upper section)
• Summerville Tailwaters
• Warden Lake
• Williams River
May 03, 2013
• Brandywine Lake
• Brushy Fork Lake
• Conaway Run Lake
• Dillons Run
• Edwards Run
• Elk River
• Fort Ashby Reservoir
• Gandy Creek
• Indian Creek
• Laurel Fork (Randolph)
• Mason Lake
• Mill Creek of South Branch
• North Fork of Fishing Creek
• Rich Creek
• Rockcliff Lake
• South Fork of Fishing Creek
• Summit Lake
• Watoga Lake
• Westover Park Lake (Children & Class Q)
• Williams River
May 02, 1013
• Buffalo Creek (Brooke)
• Castlemans Run Lake
• Cherry River
• Deer Creek (Nicholas)
• Dunkard Fork Lake
• East Fork Greenbrier River
• Horseshoe Run
• Jimmy Lewis Lake
• Laurel Creek of Cherry River (Greenbrier, Nicholas)
• Little River East Fork Greenbrier River
• Little River West Fork Greenbrier River
• Lost River
• Middle Wheeling Lake
• North Fork of Cherry River
• North River
• Pipestem Lake
• Red Creek
• Spruce Knob Lake
• Trout Run
• Tygart Valley River Headwaters
• Waites Run
• West Fork Greenbrier River
May 01, 2013
• Bear Rocks Lake
• Beech Fork Tailwaters
• Bullskin Run
• Cranberry River
• Dry Fork (Randolph, Tucker)
• East Lynn Tailwaters
• Evitts Run
• Fall Run
• French Creek Pond
• Laurel Fork of Holly River
• Left Fork of Holly River
• Meadow Creek of New River (Summers)
• Middle Creek
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek
• Milligan Creek
• Opequon Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• Rhine Creek
• Shavers Fork (upper section)
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• Thomas Park Lake
• Tilhance Creek
• Tuscarora Creek
• West Fork of Twelvepole
• Wheeling Creek
Fishing Report – 05.02.13
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is slowly rising to summer pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information. Bass can be caught throughout the day. Try fishing near downed trees, old stumps, and near points. Crappie are abundant in Beech Fork and can be caught on a variety of light lures. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using shad imitating lures or with live bait suspended below a bobber.
BLUESTONE
Spring is slowly approaching and some fish species are preparing to spawn as the water warms in the next few weeks. Crappie will be showing up on brush piles, flooded timber or downed trees where they will spawn. They will hit small minnows or doll flies. Bass may be caught off rocky points and around downed trees using live bait and artificials such as spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Anglers should look for points that have some cover such as stumps, logs, or weed beds. Try slow rolling a spinnerbait, bumping off the stumps. Some hybrid striped bass may be caught using large minnows. Anglers should try spots such as the mouth of Indian Creek or up the Bluestone Arm as these fish, even though mostly infertile, still make mock spawning runs upstream. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters. Successful anglers are using tube jigs in pumpkinseed or motoroil colors. Anglers should be careful wading and wear your personal flotation devices. A new boat launch was recently completed at ‘the Pit’. The old launch was becoming silted in and will be off limits during the construction of the new bridge over the Bluestone arm of the lake. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.466.0156. Be aware that in the future, the access at the Pit will be reduced due to the construction on the Bluestone arm bridge. Construction equipment and trucks will be on the site, be safe and be aware of your surroundings while using the Pit area to prevent any accidents. Once the construction begins, inconveniences to anglers and users of the Pit area will be reduced as much as possible as problems are sorted out over time. The construction will last through 2016. Please be careful as mentioned, be prepared to possibly wait a little longer to launch and pick-up your boat, and be sure to be courteous of others. Please bear with State Park personnel until issues can be worked out as they develop.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is at summer pool. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 25. 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 fishing should be picking up with the warmer weather. Try fishing near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Musky will begin moving toward the head of the lake. Larger crappie can be caught using live minnows and slip bobbers near standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. Try fishing for walleye near the dam. In the tailwater, trout and walleye should be actively feeding.
R.D. BAILEY
With the waters warming up, fish are becoming more and more active as they feed in preparation for the upcoming spawning. Crappie are congregating near the habitats where they spawn such as around standing timber and brush piles and they will hit small minnows. For artificials, use doll flies in white and yellow. Spotted bass are hitting plastic jigs in crawfish colors. The spotted bass will be found along the rocky drops with points with downed trees another good spot to try. Hybrid striped bass will be making a mock spawning run up stream in April and May so anglers may want to concentrate their efforts in the upper lake. The trout stocked in the tailwaters are providing good fishing. Best baits are corn, salmon eggs, and small jigs. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
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. Reports of perch being caught in the upper end on minnows. Trout fishing has been great. The lake was stocked with trout by the Stonecoal Lake Fishing Club three weeks ago.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 25. 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 10 to 15 feet of water. 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. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 26. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.872.3412.
SUTTON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 12 feet. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout April 25. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
The lake is at the summer level. Water temperatures are finally starting to warm: 65 degrees at the surface; 62 at 10 feet, and 59 at 25 feet. The coves will be warmer than the main lake and are a good place to target bass and sunfish. In the main lake, fish are still in deeper water, 10-20 feet.
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)
The river is in good fishing condition. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters as well as sauger and walleye. One hour before and after sunset is the best time to fish for sauger and walleye. Minnows are the best bet but 3-inch plastic grubs are also good in white or chartreuse. Hybrid striped bass will congregate in these areas.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Fishing for all species is good and will only get better with increasing water temperatures. Fish surveys also reveal good numbers of large muskies and drum in shallow water along the shore at this time of year. Muskies can be caught by trolling or casting large crank baits throughout the river. A good pattern now is to fish for sauger and walleye an hour before and after sunset. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive.
CHEAT LAKE
The summer water level is now in effect and the Sunset Beach ramp is usable. The new Ices Ferry Fishing and Boating Access Site is also open for bank anglers and canoes/car-top boats (no trailers) launching. Walleye are now more abundant upstream of Mt. Chateau than below the I-68 Bridge and are finished spawning. Good walleye stockings in 2010 and 2012 should now be producing 13 to 15-inch fish. Walleye are also being caught in the tailwater below the dam. Yellow perch are also abundant in the lake. The best area for yellow perch is from the Sunset Beach Cove to the I-68 Bridge and also around the mouth of Morgans Run at the Cheat Lake Park. The coves will warm up faster than the main lake and bass and sunfish will be more active in these areas.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are near normal flow and the water is clear. Stream water temperatures are near 60 and warm enough for smallmouth bass to begin hitting topwater lures. The 2013 trout stocking season is underway so check the 2013 fishing regulations to see if your favorite water will be receiving early trout stockings.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are near normal and should be in great fishing condition for the weekend. Try fishing slow crankbaits and plastic near the head of pools and around the bedrock ledges.
North Branch River
Flows in the North Branch are currently at 900 cfs but projected to drop by the weekend. No additional whitewater events are scheduled for this year.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Select small impoundments are receiving spring trout stockings so check the regulation and trout stocking hotline for up-to-date stocking information.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently one foot above conservation pool and dropping slowly. The West Virginia boat ramp opened on Saturday, March 30th. So both the West Virginia and Maryland ramps should be open for the season. You can purchase seasonal launch permits from the Army Corp. of Engineers on the West Virginia side or from the Maryland DNR on the Maryland side of the lake. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mount Storm Lake should target striped bass, black bass and walleye. Dominion Power has reinstalled the floating courtesy dock at the public boat launch to assist boat anglers. Fish can be caught throughout the lake but many anglers do well fishing with chicken livers near the discharges. Try fishing woody structure for largemouth bass and rocky shores for smallmouth bass.
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. It is a great time of year to fish for walleye at the mouth of tributaries in our larger rivers. Remember to buy your 2013 fishing license before heading out.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
May trout stockings are in full swing and anglers should find plenty of waters stocked with trout and plenty of fish to catch. Anglers should check this year’s fishing regulations to see which waters will be stocked. For a more up-to-date list, please call the hotline at 558-3399. The New and Greenbrier rivers are still somewhat high due to rains but persistent anglers may catch some smallmouth bass using tube jigs or spinnerbaits. Best spots are just below a shoal or rapid or in any eddy. Anglers may also want to try their luck at Kanawha Falls for musky or hybrid stripers (use big chubs and large white jigs for bait) or lake anglers can find some excellent bass and bluegill fishing at Plum Orchard Lake and Pipestem Lake. Best baits are plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom; spinnerbaits are also good choices for the bass while the bluegill will take small jigs, red worms, or other small live baits.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing should be really picking up with a return to lower flows. Jigs with minnows or live minnows under a bobber 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.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
These rivers should be fishable this weekend.
Small Impoundments
Trout, bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with night crawlers or artificial baits. Check the daily trout stocking report at 304.558.3399.
WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA
This 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. 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 also. 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. 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.
Fishing for largemouth bass in area lakes has been very good. Slowly fished plastic 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, Woodrum, and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County.
Crappie fishing has also been good at several lakes, these include North Bend and Elk Fork lakes, where angler are taking fish on minnows and small jigs or spinners.
Area trout fishing opportunities are winding down. Conaway Run Lake in Tyler County is the only lake in the area that receives trout in 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 small lures is also affective.
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 downstream 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.
Stream Conditions
| NORTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Ohio River (Wheeling) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fish Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fishing Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Sandy (Preston) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Monongahela River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| 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) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Greenbrier (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Ronceverte) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Anthony Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Meadow River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Turkey Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Potts Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Second Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| 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) |
Low |
|
|
Clear |
|
|
| Glade Creek (Man) |
Low |
|
|
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 |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Ohio River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Hughes River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
Trout Stockings:
May 01, 2013
• Bear Rocks Lake
• Beech Fork Tailwaters
• Bullskin Run
• Cranberry River
• Dry Fork (Randolph, Tucker)
• East Lynn Tailwaters
• Evitts Run
• Fall Run
• French Creek Pond
• Laurel Fork of Holly River
• Left Fork of Holly River
• Meadow Creek of New River
• Middle Creek
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek
• Milligan Creek
• Opequon Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• Rhine Creek
• Shavers Fork (upper section)
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• Thomas Park Lake
• Tilhance Creek
• Tuscarora Creek
• West Fork of Twelvepole
• Wheeling Creek
April 30, 2013
• Anthony Creek
• Blackwater River
• Buffalo Fork Lake
• Camp Creek
• East River
• Glady Fork
• Greenbrier River
• Knapps Creek
• Mash Fork
• Mash Fork of Camp Creek (Children & Class Q)
• North Fork of Anthony Creek
• North Fork of South Branch
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• South Fork of Cranberry River
• Warden Lake
• West Fork Greenbrier River (railroad grade)
April 29, 2013
• Clear Fork of Guyandotte River
• Cranberry River
• Kimsey Run Lake
• New Creek
• North Fork of Lunice
• North Fork of Patterson Creek
• Paint Creek
• Pinnacle Creek (lower section)
• Pond Fork
• South Branch (Franklin)
• South Mill Creek Lake
• Williams River
April 26, 2013
• Back Fork of Elk River
• Blackwater River
• BuckhannonRiver
• Bullskin Run
• Desert Fork
• Evitts Run
• Laurel Creek of New River
• Left Fork of Buckhannon River (rail stocking)
• Left Fork of Right Fork of Buckhannon River
• Middle Creek
• Mill Creek of New River
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek
• Shavers Fork (upper section)
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• South Fork of Cherry River
• Sugar Creek
• Summersville Tailwaters
April 25, 2013
• Burnsville Tailwaters
• Cacapon Park Lake
• East Fork Greenbrier River
• Elk River
• Little River East Fork Greenbrier River
• Little River West Fork Greenbrier River
• New Creek
• North Fork of Patterson Creek
• North Fork of South Branch
• Opequon Creek
• Paw Paw Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• Seneca Lake
• Stonewall Jackson Tailwaters
• Summit Lake
• Sutton Tailwaters
• Watoga Lake
• West Fork Greenbrier River
• Whiteday Creek
• Williams River
April 24, 2013
• Anthony Creek
• Big Sandy Creek
• Coopers Rock Lake
• Glade Creek of New River
• Glady Fork
• Knapps Creek
• Lost River
• North Fork of South Branch (C&R)
• Pinch Creek
• Pinnacle Creek (upper section)
• Rock Cliff Lake
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• South Branch (C&R)
• South Branch (Franklin)
• Trout Run
• Waites Run
Catfish Stockings Begin in Mid-May 2013
Angler Rewards Possible at West Virginia State Parks
Catfish stocking begins in mid-May in West Virginia, and that provides another opportunity to encourage youth and families to get outdoors.
Others include Kids to Parks Day on May 18, National Get Outdoors Day on June 08, and National Fishing and Boating week, June 01 -09, 2013.
The latter includes Free Fishing days on June 08 and June 09 in West Virginia.
Fishing is especially attractive to youngsters and is a West Virginia tradition. Catfishing opportunities are available at many lakes in West Virginia’s State Parks in additional to stream and river fishing for other fish species.
“I got hooked on fishing at an early age,” said Kristi Steed, group sales coordinator at North Bend State Park. “My dad took me hunting and fishing as a child. I watched my son catch his first fish and for our family, a tradition continues.”
“Catfishing is increasing in popularity with young people,” according Frank Jezioro, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “Catchable-size catfish are stocked at user friendly lakes across the state as one of our warmwater fisheries programs.”
The DNR Wildlife Resources Section and West Virginia’s state parks have teamed to make catfishing even more rewarding. Tagged channel catfish will be stocked into lakes at these state parks in mid-May: Cacapon (Morgan County), Cedar Creek (Gilmer County), Chief Logan (Logan County), Pipestem (Summers County), and Tomlinson Run (Hancock County).
Anglers who catch a tagged fish are asked to return the tag or the tag number along with information on the date of capture, if the fish was kept or released, and the name and address of the angler to WVDNR, 2311 Ohio Ave, Parkersburg, WV 26101. Anglers also can call in the information 304.420.4550) or provide the information via e-mail
.
Anglers who report a tagged fish will receive the “tagged reward,” park information, a certificate and a letter of congratulations via US mail after the information is received and recorded by DNR fisheries biologists. Each certificate has a choice of three prizes: a train ride at Cass Scenic Railroad, a boat ride on the sternwheeler “Island Belle” to Blennerhassett Island or a Recreational Activity Pass at Pipestem resort.
Other state park area lakes stocked with catfish but not tagged include: Berwind Lake (McDowell County), Laurel Lake (Mingo County), Little Beaver State Park Lake (Raleigh County), North Bend State Park Pond (Ritchie County), and Watoga State Park Lake (Pocahontas County).
Fishing at state parks and forests requires a West Virginia fishing license for anyone age 15 and older except for the free fishing days scheduled June 08 and 09, 2013. Also, residents who turn age 65 after January 01, 2012, are required to purchase a Senior Lifetime License.
There is no admission charge to state-operated parks and forests to go fishing. More than 30 areas in the West Virginia state parks system offer fishing opportunities onsite. Catfish stocking is in addition to spring trout stocking at many state park and forest locations.
Daily G-Eye™ : 04.29.13
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Daily G-Eye™ : 04.28.13
Submit photos for this daily feature. You may select to have your name listed as well.
Send your photo(s) to “tellus@gilmerfreepress.net”
Fishing Report – 04.25.13
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is slowly rising to summer pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information. Bass can be caught throughout the day. Try fishing near downed trees, old stumps, and near points. Crappie are abundant in Beech Fork and can be caught on a variety of light lures. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using shad imitating lures or with live bait suspended below a bobber.
BLUESTONE
Spring is slowly approaching and some fish species are preparing to spawn as the water warms in the next few weeks. Crappie will be showing up on brush piles, flooded timber or downed trees where they will spawn. They will hit small minnows or doll flies. Bass may be caught off rocky points and around downed trees using live bait and artificials such as spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Anglers should look for points that have some cover such as stumps, logs, or weed beds. Try slow rolling a spinnerbait, bumping off the stumps. Some hybrid striped bass may be caught using large minnows. Anglers should try spots such as the mouth of Indian Creek or up the Bluestone Arm as these fish, even though mostly infertile, still make mock spawning runs upstream. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters. Successful anglers are using tube jigs in pumpkinseed or motoroil colors. Anglers should be careful wading and wear your personal flotation devices. A new boat launch was recently completed at ‘the Pit’. The old launch was becoming silted in and will be off limits during the construction of the new bridge over the Bluestone arm of the lake. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.466.0156. Be aware that in the future, the access at the Pit will be reduced due to the construction on the Bluestone arm bridge. Construction equipment and trucks will be on the site, be safe and be aware of your surroundings while using the Pit area to prevent any accidents. Once the construction begins, inconveniences to anglers and users of the Pit area will be reduced as much as possible as problems are sorted out over time. The construction will last through 2016. Please be careful as mentioned, be prepared to possibly wait a little longer to launch and pick-up your boat, and be sure to be courteous of others. Please bear with State Park personnel until issues can be worked out as they develop.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is at summer pool. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 10. 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 fishing should be picking up with the warmer weather. Try fishing near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Musky will begin moving toward the head of the lake. Larger crappie can be caught using live minnows and slip bobbers near standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. Try fishing for walleye near the dam. In the tailwater, trout and walleye should be actively feeding.
R.D. BAILEY
With the waters warming up, fish are becoming more and more active as they feed in preparation for the upcoming spawning. Crappie are congregating near the habitats where they spawn such as around standing timber and brush piles and they will hit small minnows. For artificials, use doll flies in white and yellow. Spotted bass are hitting plastic jigs in crawfish colors. The spotted bass will be found along the rocky drops with points with downed trees another good spot to try. Hybrid striped bass will be making a mock spawning run up stream in April and May so anglers may want to concentrate their efforts in the upper lake. The trout stocked in the tailwaters are providing good fishing. Best baits are corn, salmon eggs, and small jigs. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
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. Reports of perch being caught in the upper end on minnows. Trout fishing has been great. The lake was stocked with trout by the Stonecoal Lake Fishing Club three weeks ago.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 10. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.269.7463.
SUMMERSVILLE
The lake is 30 feet below summer pool. Bass are being caught in 10 to 15 feet of water. 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. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 9. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.872.3412.
SUTTON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. As water temperatures warm, fish are moving to shallow water. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 12 feet. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout April 10. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
The lake is at the summer level. Water temperatures cooled again this week. The coves will be warmer than the main lake and are a good place to target bass and sunfish. In the main lake, fish are still in deeper water, 10-20 feet.
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)
Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters as well as sauger and walleye. One hour before and after sunset is the best time to fish for sauger and walleye. Minnows are the best bet but 3.inch plastic grubs are also good in white or chartreuse.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Water temperatures decreased again last week but is now warming. Fishing for all species will be improving, especially smallmouth bass. Fish surveys also reveal good numbers of large muskies and drum in shallow water along the shore at this time of year. Muskies can be caught by trolling or casting large crank baits throughout the river. A good pattern now is to fish for sauger and walleye an hour before and after sunset. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3.inch plastic grubs will also be productive.
CHEAT LAKE
Walleye are now more abundant upstream of Mt. Chateau than below the I.68 Bridge and finished spawning. Good walleye stockings in 2010 and 2012 should now be producing 13 to 15.inch fish. Walleye are also being caught in the tailwater below the dam. Yellow perch are also abundant in the lake. The best area for yellow perch is from the Sunset Beach Cove to the I.68 Bridge and also around the mouth of Morgans Run at the Cheat Lake Park. The coves will warm up faster than the main lake and bass and sunfish will be more active in these areas. The April water level can only fluctuate seven feet until the summer level is maintained starting May 01.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are near normal flow and the water is clear. Stream water temperatures are holding in the 50’s and warm enough for smallmouth bass to begin hitting topwater lures. The 2013 trout stocking season is underway so check the 2013 fishing regulations to see if your favorite water will be receiving early trout stockings.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are slightly above normal and should be in great fishing condition by the weekend. Try fishing slow moving plastic in deep pools and between bedrock ledges.
North Branch River
Flows in the North Branch are currently between 600.800 cfs and expected to remain at that level for several more days. The next whitewater event will be conducted on the North Branch this weekend of Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Select small impoundments are receiving spring trout stockings so check the regulation and trout stocking hotline for up.to.date stocking information.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently two feet above conservation pool and dropping slowly. The West Virginia boat ramp opened on Saturday, March 30th. So both the West Virginia and Maryland ramps should be open for the season. You can purchase seasonal launch permits from the Army Corp. of Engineers on the West Virginia side or from the Maryland DNR on the Maryland side of the lake. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mount Storm Lake should target striped bass, black bass and walleye. Dominion Power has reinstalled the floating courtesy dock at the public boat launch to assist boat anglers. Fish can be caught throughout the lake but many anglers do well fishing with chicken livers near the discharges. Try fishing woody structure for largemouth bass and rocky shores for smallmouth bass.
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. It is a great time of year to fish for walleye at the mouth of tributaries in our larger rivers. The following areas were stocked with trout this week: Watoga and Indian Rock lakes; Dry Fork, Holly, Elk and Gandy. The Shavers Fork was stocked from rail last week from Bowden to the upper catch and release area. Remember to buy your 2013 fishing license before heading out.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
April trout stockings are in full swing and anglers should find plenty of waters stocked with trout and plenty of fish to catch. Anglers should check this year’s fishing regulations to see which waters will be stocked. For a more up-to-date list, please call the hotline at 558.3399. The New and Greenbrier rivers are still somewhat high due to rains but persistent anglers may catch some smallmouth bass using tube jigs or spinnerbaits. Best spots are just below a shoal or rapid or in any eddy. Anglers may also want to try their luck at Kanawha Falls for musky or hybrid stripers use big chubs and large white jigs for bait or lake anglers can find some excellent bass and bluegill fishing at Plum Orchard Lake and Pipestem Lake. Best baits are plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom; spinnerbaits are also good choices for the bass while the bluegill will take small jigs, red worms, or other small live baits.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing should be really picking up with a return to lower flows. Jigs with minnows or live minnows under a bobber 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.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
These rivers should be fishable this weekend.
Small Impoundments
Trout, bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with night crawlers or artificial baits. Check the daily trout stocking report at 304.558.3399.
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. 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 tailwaters. 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 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.
Fishing for largemouth bass and crappie in area lakes has been very good. Slowly fished rubber worms or jig-and-pig combos, and spinner baits are good terminal tackle choices for bass. Crappie anglers use small jigs or minnows fished in areas of good cover. 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, Woodrum, O’Brien 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 downstream 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 North Bend Lake.
Stream Conditions
| NORTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Ohio River (Wheeling) |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Fish Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fishing Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Sandy (Preston) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Monongahela River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
High |
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) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Greenbrier (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Greenbrier (Ronceverte) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Anthony Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Meadow River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Turkey Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Potts Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Second Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Pinnacle Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Horse Creek Lake |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Huff Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Indian Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Glade Creek (New River) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Marsh Fork |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| New River (Gauley) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Glade Creek (Man) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Camp Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| East River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Fork Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Dry Fork Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Berwind Lake |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| |
| WESTERN & SOUTHWESTERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Little Kanawha River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Ohio River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Hughes River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
Trout Stockings:
April 24, 2013
• Anthony Creek
• Big Sandy Creek
• Coopers Rock Lake
• Glade Creek of New River
• Glady Fork
• Knapps Creek
• Lost River
• North Fork of South Branch (C&R)
• Pinch Creek
• Pinnacle Creek (upper section)
• Rock Cliff Lake
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• South Branch (C&R)
• South Branch (Franklin)
• Trout Run
• Waites Run
April 23, 2013
• Boley Lake
• Buckhannon River (rail stocking)
• Clear Fork of Tug
• Cranberry River
• Cranberry River (C&R - upper section above Dogway Fork)
• Elk River (C&R)
• Gandy Creek
• Glade Creek of Mann
• Laurel Fork (Randolph)
• Middle Fork River
• Spruce Knob Lake
April 22, 2013
• Bear Rocks Lake
• Big Clear Creek
• Horse Creek Lake
• Little Clear Creek
• Logan County Airport Pond (Children & Class Q)
• Wheeling Creek
• Williams River
April 19, 2013
• Chief Logan Pond
• Dillons Run
• Dry Fork (Randolph, Tucker)
• Edwards Run
• Fort Ashby Reservoir
• French Creek Pond
• Laurel Lake
• Left Fork of Holly River
• Little Kanawha Headwaters
• Mill Creek of South Branch
• Poorhouse Pond
• Potts Creek
• Right Fork of Little Kanawha Headwaters
• Shavers Fork (upper section)
• South Fork of Potts Creek
• West Fork Greenbrier River (Railroad Grade)
April 18, 2013
• Blackwater River
• Buffalo Fork Lake
• Cranberry River
• Glady Fork
• Greenbrier River
• Indian Creek
• Knapps Creek
• Rich Creek
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section rail stocking) Bowden to Bemis
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• South Mill Creek Lake
• Watoga Lake
“Wings of Wonder” Soar at West Virginia State Parks in 2013
Birds of prey can be seen this spring and summer at West Virginia state parks, and not just in the sky and trees. Park visitors and guests will be introduced to eagles and other raptors throughout the summer program series, “Wings of Wonder – Birds of Prey” from May through September.
The presentation of live birds by Three Rivers Avian Center (TRAC) is an up-close look at live hawks, owls and eagles. The program includes information about habitats, diet and behavior of each bird presented, the most common causes of injury to each species, and the laws protecting these special birds.
Three Rivers Avian Center will present “Wings of Wonder” at several West Virginia state parks in 2013. The educational program lasts about one hour. The presenters welcome questions and interaction. There is no charge to attend and the programs are open to the public.
“Wings of Wonder” at West Virginia State Parks dates:
05.03.2013 – Tygart Lake – 7:00 PM
06.08.2013 – Pipestem Resort – 8:00 PM
06.15.2013 – Beech Fork – 7:00 PM
06.20.2013 – Holly River – 3:00 PM
06.22.2013 – Watoga – 3:00 PM
06.23.2013 – Blackwater Falls – 10:00 AM
06.28.2013 – Twin Falls Resort – 7:00 PM
06.29.2013 – Babcock – 7:00 PM
08.10.2013 – North Bend – 7:00 PM
08.11.2013 – Tomlinson Run – 1:00 PM
08.17.2013 – Cacapon Resort – 7:00 PM
08.24.2013 – Blennerhassett Island – 1:30 PM
09.14.2013 – Kanawha State Forest – 1:00 PM
TRAC also will sponsor a “Migration Celebration” at Little Beaver State Park on May 11, 2013 from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
It is an all-day, family event with games, birding walks, arts and crafts, and entertainment.
There is no charge to attend.
West Virginia DNR to Discuss New Hunting, Trapping Rules
State wildlife officials will meet in Morgantown this month to discuss new regulations for hunting, trapping and fishing.
The quarterly meeting of the West Virginia Natural Resources Commission is set for April 28, 2013 at the Lakeview Resort and Conference Center.
The public is invited to attend and offer comments.
Agenda items include discussion of this year’s section meetings and a questionnaire for sportsmen and landowners.
The commission will also discuss new 2013 regulations for big game, and reptiles and amphibians.
It will also discuss proposed changes for hunting and trapping regulations in 2014-15, and fishing regulations for next year.
Youth Spring Gobbler Season April 20, 2013
A special one-day, youth spring gobbler hunt will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2013.
Youth participating in this hunt must be at least eight years of age and no more than 18 years old on the day of the season.
Youth hunters 15–17 years of age are able to participate in this hunt but must comply with all applicable licensing requirements. Hunters under 15 years of age must be accompanied by a licensed adult at least 21 years of age, who cannot carry a gun or bow and must remain close enough to render advice and assistance. The only legal firearm that can be used by a youth hunter is a shotgun with shot sizes no larger than #4 or smaller than #7 ½.
The bag limit is one bearded turkey that will count toward the hunter’s annual bag limit. For more information please see page 33 of the 2012–2013 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary.
Last year, youth hunters harvested 432 gobblers, which was up 10 percent from 2011, when 392 were taken during this season. The special youth one-day hunt provides an ideal opportunity for seasoned hunters to introduce young people to the joys of spring gobbler hunting. In addition to having a great day afield, these adult mentors pass along their hunting knowledge, create great memories and keep the fine hunting tradition alive for the next generation of hunters.
West Virginia’s Spring Gobbler Season Opens April 22, 2013
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources encourages all spring gobbler hunters to get their turkey calls out and tuned up in preparation for the upcoming season opener. The four-week season begins Monday, April 22, and closes on Saturday, May 18, 2013. Hunters may kill only one bearded turkey per day and are allowed two per season.
“Unlike 2012, when spring green-up came early, this year winter is still hanging on and very few trees have leaves out yet,” according to Curtis I. Taylor, chief of the Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section. “Therefore, the late appearance of spring will likely increase the distance hunters can hear a gobbler. However, the peak of gobbling occurs near the end of April or early May as hens go to incubate their clutches, so hunters shouldn’t be surprised if they hear more birds at that time. Gobblers will also be more willing to come to calls once hens have gone to incubate their clutches so hunters should continue hunting as the season progresses.
“More than 50% of the harvest occurs during the first week of the season, so hopefully it won’t be snowing like it did last year,” Taylor said. “While the snow has little effect on the gobblers, it definitely makes it more difficult on the hunters, which was one reason the harvest was down in 2012. Assuming that the weather cooperates and the approximately 65,000 spring gobbler hunters participate, we believe the harvest should improve from last year’s 8,303 to a more typical 9,000 birds.”
DNR Needs Spring Gobbler Survey Cooperators!
Wildlife Resources Section personnel began a statewide survey of spring gobbler hunters in 1983. This survey has hunters record items of interest by day, like the number of gobblers heard, called in, missed and harvested. DNR also is interested in other animals seen and your most memorable experience. These data are then tabulated and compared against previous years in a report that is mailed back to all cooperators the next year. These data are invaluable to helping biologists manage the wildlife resources in the state. Please contact Tammie Thompson at 304.637.0245 or download a form at www.wvdnr.gov.
Fishing Report – 04.18.13
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is slowly rising to summer pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information. Bass can be caught throughout the day. Try fishing near downed trees, old stumps, and near points. Crappie are abundant in Beech Fork and can be caught on a variety of light lures. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using shad imitating lures or with live bait suspended below a bobber.
BLUESTONE
Stripers and hybrids have been seen schooling and chasing shad occasionally still around the pit area. Try shad like lures and surface lures to garner strikes when they appear at the surface. A few bass being caught both smallmouth and largemouth.have been reported. Successful anglers are using slow moving lures soft plastics and minnow like jerkbaits.along sun warmed banks and close to drop.offs along the main channel later in the day. No recent reports from catfish anglers. A new boat launch was recently completed at ‘the Pit’. The old launch was becoming silted in and will be off limits during the construction of the new bridge over the Bluestone arm of the lake. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.466.0156. Be aware that in the future, the access at the Pit will be reduced due to the construction on the Bluestone arm bridge. Construction equipment and trucks will be on the site, be safe and be aware of your surroundings while using the Pit area to prevent any accidents. Once the construction begins, inconveniences to anglers and users of the Pit area will be reduced as much as possible as problems are sorted out over time. The construction will last through 2016. Please be careful as mentioned, be prepared to possibly wait a little longer to launch and pick.up your boat, and be sure to be courteous of others. Please bear with State Park personnel until issues can be worked out as they develop.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is two feet below summer pool. Fishing is good. Fish are becoming more active as water temperatures increase. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 10. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.853.2398.
EAST LYNN
The reservoir level is slowly rising towards summer pool. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.849.9861. Big bass will continue to feed during the colder months. Try fishing near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Musky will begin moving toward the head of the lake. Larger crappie can be caught using live minnows and slip bobbers near standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. Try fishing for walleye near the dam. In the tailwater, trout and walleye should be actively feeding.
R.D. BAILEY
The winter launch ramp is closed. No recent reports from anglers. Trout were recently stocked in the tailwaters. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
STEPHENS LAKE
With warmer weather, anglers are having luck fishing later in the afternoon in the shallows for bass using slow moving lures and soft plastics.
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. Trout fishing has been great. The lake was stocked with trout by the Stonecoal Lake Fishing Club two weeks ago. A few perch have been caught in the upper end on minnows.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. Fish are becoming more active as water temperatures increase. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 10. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.269.7463.
SUMMERSVILLE
The lake is 30 feet below summer pool. Bass are being caught in 10 to 15 feet of water. 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. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 9. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.872.3412.
SUTTON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fishing is good. Fish are becoming more active as water temperatures increase. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 12 feet. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout April 10. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
The lake is at the summer level. Walleye are finished spawning and will move into shallow water to feed at dusk. Try casting large Rapalas along the shoreline about an hour before and after sunset. All species are getting more active in response to the fast rising water temperatures this past week. The coves will be warmer than the main lake and are a good place to target bass and sunfish.
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)
Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters as well as sauger and walleye. One hour before and after sunset is the best time to fish for sauger and walleye. Minnows are the best bet but 3.inch plastic grubs are also good in white or chartreuse. Other good spots at this time of year are heated discharges at power plants. Hybrid striped bass will congregate in these areas.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Water temperatures are finally warming up and fishing for all species is improving. Fish surveys reveal good numbers of large muskies in shallow water along the shore at this time of year. Muskies can be caught by trolling or casting large crank baits throughout the river. Walleye and sauger are finished spawning. A good pattern now is to fish for sauger and walleye an hour before and after sunset. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3.inch plastic grubs will also be productive.
CHEAT LAKE
Walleye are now more abundant upstream of Mt. Chateau than below the I.68 Bridge and finished spawning. Good walleye stockings in 2010 and 2012 should now be producing 13 to 15.inch fish. Walleye are also being caught in the tailwater below the dam. Yellow perch are also abundant in the lake. The best area for yellow perch is from the Sunset Beach Cove to the I.68 Bridge and also around the mouth of Morgans Run at the Cheat Lake Park. The coves will warm up faster than the main lake and bass and sunfish will be more active in these areas. The April water level can only fluctuate seven feet until the summer level is maintained starting May 01.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are near normal flow and the water is clear. Stream water temperatures are now in the 50’s and warm enough for smallmouth bass to begin hitting topwater lures. The 2013 trout stocking season is underway so check the 2013 fishing regulations to see if your favorite water will be receiving early trout stockings.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are near normal and should be in great fishing condition by the weekend. Try fishing slow moving plastic in deep pool and between bedrock ledges.
North Branch River
Flows in the North Branch are currently near 1,000 cfs and high for wade fishing. The fish whitewater event will be conducted on the North Branch the weekend of Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Select small impoundments are receiving spring trout stockings so check the regulation and trout stocking hotline for up-to-date stocking information.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently 1.5 feet above conservation pool and dropping slowly. The West Virginia boat ramp opened on Saturday, March 30th. So both the West Virginia and Maryland ramps should be open for the season. You can purchase seasonal launch permits from the Army Corp. of Engineers on the West Virginia side or from the Maryland DNR on the Maryland side of the lake. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mount Storm Lake should target striped bass, black bass and walleye. Dominion Power has reinstalled the floating courtesy dock at the public boat launch to assist boat anglers. Fish can be caught throughout the lake but many anglers do well fishing with chicken livers near the discharges. Try fishing woody structure for largemouth bass and rocky shores for smallmouth bass.
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. It is a great time of year to fish for walleye at the mouth of tributaries in our larger rivers. Watoga and Indian Rock lakes; French Creek Pond; Elk, Gandy and Shavers Fork are a few areas that were stocked with trout the past few weeks. Remember to buy your 2013 fishing license before heading out.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
A number of exceptional smallmouth bass and walleye have recently been caught in the Hinton area. Be sure to check flows with recent rains, fishing opportunities will be dictated by flows and if levels are low enough to fish. Fish slow and expect fish to be in slower or slack water areas with depth and/or cover nearby. Muskie anglers have reported fish being caught on large plugs fished slowly in the New and Greenbrier rivers. Please be aware of the special regulations in the New River for walleye. A slot limit is in place from Hawks Nest dam in Fayette County upstream to the VA/WV line in Summers County. Within the slot limit area, all walleye between 20 and 30 inches must be released. Two walleye may be kept; only one walleye may exceed 30 inches. If kept, the other must be below 20 inches. Within this zone, exists a catch and release zone. The catch and release zone exists from Meadow Creek upstream to the base of Sandstone Falls 5 miles). No walleye may be in an angler’s possession in this zone. Trout anglers are having success on local streams when flows are fishable. Call 304.558.3399 for a recent stocking report. But remember, don’t let the stocking report dictate your destination, larger rivers and streams hold trout year.round or fish carry over from fall stockings if they received fish. Spinners, micro jigs and bait all do well at this time of the year. Slow your retrieve if using spinners, etc. to match temperature levels. Try salmon eggs, powerbait, worms and other baits fished slow and close to the bottom for greater success this time of the year. Small impoundments offer good bass fishing during the early spring as well. Successful anglers pick warm days and target fish mainly during the late afternoon after waters have warmed from the sun. Try soft plastics, spinnerbaits and your bait of choice, fished slowly for success.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing should be really picking up with a return to lower flows. Jigs with minnows or live minnows under a bobber 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.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
These rivers should be fishable this weekend.
Small Impoundments
Trout, bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with night crawlers or artificial baits. Check the daily trout stocking report at 304.558.3399.
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. 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 Tailwaters. 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 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.
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 downstream 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 North Bend Lake.
Stream Conditions
| NORTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Ohio River (Wheeling) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Fish Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fishing Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Sandy (Preston) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Monongahela River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| 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) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Little Kanawha |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Elk (Clay) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| West Fork River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Gauley River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Cranberry River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Cherry River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Cherry River (N. Fork) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Cherry River (S. Fork) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Williams River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Knapps River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (E&W Forks) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Little River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Shavers Fork |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Buckhannon River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Holly River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Elk River (Webster) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Elk River (Back Fork) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| |
| SOUTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| New River (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Greenbrier (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Greenbrier (Ronceverte) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Anthony Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Meadow River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Turkey Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Potts Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Second Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| 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 |
|
|
Milky |
|
| East River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Fork Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Dry Fork Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Berwind Lake |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| |
| WESTERN & SOUTHWESTERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Little Kanawha River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Ohio River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Hughes River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
Trout Stockings:
April 18, 2013
• Blackwater River
• Buffalo Fork Lake
• Cranberry River
• Glady Fork
• Greenbrier River
• Indian Creek
• Knapps Creek
• Rich Creek
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section rail stocking) Bowden to Bemis
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• South Mill Creek Lake
• Watoga Lake
April 17, 2013
• Buffalo Creek (Brooke)
• Bullskin Run
• Camp Creek
• Castlemans Run Lake
• East River
• Elk River
• Evitts Run
• Fitzpatrick Lake
• Horseshoe Run
• Marsh Fork
• Mash Fork
• Mash Fork of Camp Creek (Children & Class Q)
• Middle Wheeling Lake
• Opequon Creek
• Red Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• Shavers Fork (upper section rail stocking) downstream of C&R section to Bemis
• South Branch (Franklin)
• South Fork of Cranberry River
• Spruce Knob Lake
• Tygart Valley River Headwaters
April 16, 2013
• Brandywine Lake
• Brushy Fork Lake
• Cacapon Park Lake
• Kimsey Run Lake
• Middle Creek
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek
• Paint Creek
• Pond Fork
• Right Fork of Middle Fork River
• Shavers Fork (upper section rail stocking) C&R section
• Summit Lake
• Teter Creek Lake
• Tilhance Creek
• Tuscarora Creek
• Wheeling Creek
• Williams River
April 15, 2013
• Anthony Creek
• Cherry River
• Clear Fork of Guyandotte River
• Clear Fork of Guyandotte River (C&R)
• Curtisville Lake
• East Fork Greenbrier River
• Gandy Creek
• Laurel Fork (Randolph)
• Little River East Fork Greenbrier River
• Little River West Fork Greenbrier River
• Lost River
• Lower Cove Run
• New Creek
• North Fork of Anthony Creek
• North Fork of Cherry River
• North Fork of Lunice
• North Fork of Patterson Creek
• North Fork of South Branch
• North River
• Pinnacle Creek (upper and lower sections)
• R.D. Bailey Tailwaters
• Trout Run
• Waites Run
• West Fork Greenbrier River
April 12, 2013
• Anawalt Lake
• Blackwater River
• Coonskin Park Lake (Children & Class Q)
• Hills Creek
• Lost River
• Mountwood Park Lake
• Rock Cliff Lake
• South Branch (Franklin)
• South Fork of Cranberry River
• Spruce Knob Lake
• Trout Run
• Waites Run
• Wallback Lake
April 11, 2013
• Anthony Creek
• Elk River
• Gandy Creek
• Knapps Creek
• Laurel Fork (Randolph)
• New Creek
• North Fork of Patterson Creek
• Rockhouse Lake
• Shavers Fork (upper section)
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• Spruce Laurel Fork
• Tygart Tailwaters
• Williams River
Fishing Report – 04.11.13
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is slowly rising to summer pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information. Bass can be caught throughout the day. Try fishing near downed trees, old stumps, and near points. Crappie are abundant in Beech Fork and can be caught on a variety of light lures. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using shad imitating lures or with live bait suspended below a bobber.
BLUESTONE
Stripers and hybrids have been seen schooling and chasing shad occasionally still around the pit area. Try shad like lures and surface lures to garner strikes when they appear at the surface. A few bass being caught (both smallmouth and largemouth) have been reported. Successful anglers are using slow moving lures (soft plastics and minnow like jerkbaits-along sun warmed banks and close to drop) offs along the main channel later in the day. No recent reports from catfish anglers. A new boat launch was recently completed at ‘the Pit’. The old launch was becoming silted in and will be off limits during the construction of the new bridge over the Bluestone arm of the lake. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.466.0156. Be aware that in the future, the access at the Pit will be reduced due to the construction on the Bluestone arm bridge. Construction equipment and trucks will be on the site, be safe and be aware of your surroundings while using the Pit area to prevent any accidents. Once the construction begins, inconveniences to anglers and users of the Pit area will be reduced as much as possible as problems are sorted out over time. The construction will last through 2016. Please be careful as mentioned, be prepared to possibly wait a little longer to launch and pick-up your boat, and be sure to be courteous of others. Please bear with State Park personnel until issues can be worked out as they develop.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is two feet below summer pool. Fishing is fair. Fish are becoming more active as water temperatures increase. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on March 21. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.853.2398.
EAST LYNN
The reservoir level is slowly rising towards summer pool. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.849.9861. Big bass will continue to feed during the colder months. Try fishing near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Musky will begin moving toward the head of the lake. Larger crappie can be caught using live minnows and slip bobbers near standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. Try fishing for walleye near the dam. In the tailwater, trout and walleye should be actively feeding.
R.D. BAILEY
The winter launch ramp is closed. No recent reports from anglers. Trout were recently stocked in the tailwaters. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
STEPHENS LAKE
With warmer weather, anglers are having luck fishing later in the afternoon in the shallows for bass using slow moving lures and soft plastics.
STONECOAL LAKE
The lake is at summer pool. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait and jigs around beaver huts and fish attractors. Trout fishing has been great. A few perch have been caught in the upper end on minnows.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fish are becoming more active as water temperatures increase. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on March 21. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.269.7463.
SUMMERSVILLE
The lake is 30 feet below summer pool. Bass are being caught in 10 to 15 feet of water. 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. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on March 15. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.872.3412.
SUTTON
The lake is at summer pool and clear. Fish are becoming more active as water temperatures increase. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 12 feet. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout March 21. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
The lake is near the summer level. Walleye should be nearly finished spawning and will move into shallow water to feed or spawn at dusk. Try casting large Rapalas along the shoreline about an hour before and after sunset. Some walleye will also move up into river at the head of the lake to spawn. Drive into Cove Run and fish the river from the shore. All species are getting more active in response to the fast rising water temperatures this past week. The coves will be warmer than the main lake and are a good place to target bass and sunfish.
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)
There are a lot of sauger and walleye in the dam tailwaters. One hour before and after sunset is the best time to fish for sauger and walleye. Minnows are the best bet but 3.inch plastic grubs are also good in white or chartreuse. Other good spots at this time of year are heated discharges at power plants. Hybrid striped bass will congregate in these areas.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Water temperatures are finally warming up and fishing is improving. Fish surveys reveal good numbers of large muskies in shallow water along the shore at this time of year. Muskies can be caught by trolling or casting large crank baits throughout the river. Walleye and sauger should be nearly finished spawning. A good pattern now is to fish for sauger and walleye an hour before and after sunset. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters but will be active during the day when the water is turbid. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3.inch plastic grubs will also be productive.
CHEAT LAKE
Walleye are now more abundant upstream of Mt. Chateau than below the I.68 Bridge and should be nearly finished spawning. Good walleye stockings in 2010 and 2012 should now be producing 13 to 15.inch fish. Walleye are also being caught in the tailwater below the dam. Yellow perch are also abundant in the lake. The best area for yellow perch is from the Sunset Beach Cove to the I.68 Bridge and also around the mouth of Morgans Run at the Cheat Lake Park. The coves will warm up faster than the main lake and bass and sunfish will be more active in these areas. The April water level can only fluctuate seven feet until the summer level is maintained starting May 01.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are near normal flow and the water is clear. Stream water temperatures are now in the 50’s and warm enough for smallmouth bass to begin hitting top water lures. The 2013 trout stocking season is underway so check the 2013 fishing regulations to see if your favorite water will be receiving early trout stockingstay up.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are near normal and should be in great fishing condition by the weekend. Try fishing slow moving plastic in deep pools and between bedrock ledges.
North Branch River
Flows in the North Branch are currently near 1,200 cfs and too high for wade fishing. The fish whitewater event will be conducted on the North Branch this weekend on Saturday, April 13th and Sunday, April 14th.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Select small impoundments are receiving spring trout stockings so check the regulation and trout stocking hotline for up.to.date stocking information.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently two feet above conservation pool and dropping slowly. The West Virginia boat ramp opened on Saturday, March 30th. So both the West Virginia and Maryland ramps should be open for the season. You can purchase seasonal launch permits from the Army Corp. of Engineers on the West Virginia side or from the Maryland DNR on the Maryland side of the lake. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information (304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mount Storm Lake should target striped bass, black bass and walleye. Dominion Power has reinstalled the floating courtesy dock at the public boat launch to assist boat anglers. Fish can be caught throughout the lake but many anglers do well fishing with chicken livers near the discharges. Try fishing woody structure for largemouth bass and rocky shores for smallmouth bass.
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. It is a great time of year to fish for walleye at the mouth of tributaries in our larger rivers. Watoga and Indian Rock lakes; French Creek Pond; Elk, Gandy and Shavers Fork are a few areas that were stocked with trout the past few weeks. Remember to buy your 2013 fishing license before heading out.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
A number of exceptional smallmouth bass and walleye have recently been caught in the Hinton area. Be sure to check flows with recent rains and increased snow melt, fishing opportunities will be dictated by flows and if levels are low enough to fish. Fish slow and expect fish to be in slower or slack water areas with depth and/or cover nearby. Muskie anglers have reported fish being caught on large plugs fished slowly in the New and Greenbrier rivers. Please be aware of the special regulations in the New River for walleye. A slot limit is in place from Hawks Nest dam in Fayette County upstream to the VA/WV line in Summers County. Within the slot limit area, all walleye between 20 and 30 inches must be released. Two walleye may be kept; only one walleye may exceed 30 inches. If kept, the other must be below 20 inches. Within this zone, exists a catch and release zone. The catch and release zone exists from Meadow Creek upstream to the base of Sandstone Falls (5 miles). No walleye may be in an angler’s possession in this zone. Trout anglers are having some success on local streams during warmer days and when flows are fishable. District Four waters stocked recently include Anthony, Paint and Knapps creeks. Call 304.558.3399 for a recent stocking report. But remember, don’t let the stocking report dictate your destination, larger rivers and streams hold trout year-round or fish carry over from fall stockings if they received fish. Spinners, micro jigs and bait all do well at this time of the year. Slow your retrieve if using spinners, etc. to match temperature levels. Try salmon eggs, powerbait, worms and other baits fished slow and close to the bottom for greater success this time of the year. Small impoundments offer good bass fishing during the early spring as well. Successful anglers pick warm days and target fish mainly during the late afternoon after waters have warmed from the sun. Try soft plastics, spinnerbaits and your bait of choice, fished slowly for success.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing should be really picking up with a return to lower flows. Jigs with minnows or live minnows under a bobber 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.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
These rivers should be fishable this weekend.
Small ImpoundmentsTrout, bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with night crawlers or artificial baits. Check the daily trout stocking report at (304.558.3399.
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. 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 tailwaters. 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 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.
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 downstream of fast moving water. Musky anglers should try medium to large lures. Middle Island Creek, the major stream 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 North Bend Lake.
Stream Conditions
| NORTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Ohio River (Wheeling) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fish Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fishing Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Sandy (Preston) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Monongahela River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
High |
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 |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Knapps River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (E&W Forks) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Little River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Shavers Fork |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Buckhannon River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Holly River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Elk River (Webster) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Elk River (Back Fork) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| |
| SOUTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| New River (Hinton) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Greenbrier (Ronceverte) |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Anthony Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Big Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Meadow River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Turkey Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Potts Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Second Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Pinnacle Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Horse Creek Lake |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Huff Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Indian Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Glade Creek (New River) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Marsh Fork |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky
|
|
| New River (Gauley) |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Glade Creek (Man) |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Camp Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| East River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Fork Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Dry Fork Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Berwind Lake |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| |
| WESTERN & SOUTHWESTERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Little Kanawha River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Ohio River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Hughes River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
Trout Stockings:
April 11, 2013
• Anthony Creek
• Elk River
• Gandy Creek
• Knapps Creek
• Laurel Fork (Randolph)
• New Creek
• North Fork of Patterson Creek
• Rockhouse Lake
• Shavers Fork (upper section)
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• Spruce Laurel Fork
• Tygart Tailwaters
• Williams River
April 10, 2013
• Big Clear Creek
• Burnsville Tailwaters
• Clover Run
• Glade Creek of New River
• Glady Fork
• Kings Creek
• Little Beaver Lake
• Little Clear Creek
• Newburg Lake
• North Fork of South Branch
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• Stonewall Jackson Tailwaters
• Sutton Tailwaters
• Tomlinson Run
• Tomlinson Run Lake
April 09, 2013
• Berwind Lake
• Big Sandy Creek
• Bullskin Run
• Coopers Rock Lake
• Cranberry River
• Dry Fork (McDowell)
• East Fork of Greenbrier River
• Evitts Run
• Indian Rocks Lake
• Left Fork of Right Fork of Buckhannon River
• Little River East Fork Greenbrier River
• Little River West Fork Greenbrier River
• Mason Lake
• Middle Creek
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek
• North Fork of South Branch (C&R)
• Paw Paw Creek
• Right Fork of Buckhannon River
• Summersville Tailwaters
• West Fork of Greenbrier River
• Whiteday Creek
April 08, 2013
• Beech Fork Tailwaters
• Blackwater River
• Buckhannon River
• Cacapon Park Lake
• East Lynn Tailwaters
• Lick Creek Pond
• Opequon Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• Rollins Lake
• Seneca Lake
• South Fork of Cherry River
• Summit Lake
• Watoga Lake
• Wayne Dam
• West Fork Twelvepole
April 05, 2013
• Buffalo Creek (Logan)
• Bullskin Run
• Evitts Run
• Glady Fork
• Kimsey Run Lake
• Long Marsh Run
• Meadow Creek of Anthony Creek (Greenbrier)
• Middle Creek
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek (Berkeley)
• New Creek
• North Fork of Anthony Creek
• North Fork of Lunice
• North Fork of Patterson Creek
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• Shavers Fork (Stuarts Park C&R)
• Tuscarora Creek
April 04, 2013
• Big Run Lake
• Cacapon Park Lake
• Fall Run
• French Creek Pond
• Horseshoe Run
• Jimmy Lewis Lake
• Left Fork of Holly River
• Mill Run of Back Creek
• North Fork of South Branch
• Opequon Creek
• Pipestem Lake
• Red Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• South Branch (Franklin)
• Summit Lake
• Tilhance Creek
• Tygart Valley River Headwaters
• Watoga Lake
WVDNR Advises: Leave Young Wildlife Alone
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources advises people to leave all young wildlife alone. “The spring season is the time of year when the woods and fields of West Virginia are full of new life,” said Gene Thorn, wildlife biologist at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek. “People have a great opportunity to view and enjoy young wildlife during this season, but it is especially important for the public to understand the need to avoid touching or disturbing these wild animals.”
Attempts to rescue or rehabilitate young wildlife are often counter-productive, according to Thorn. Picking up or getting too close to wildlife greatly increases the chance of harm to the animal and/or the persons involved in this unwise practice. By touching young animals, humans leave a scent that may attract a predator. Wildlife viewing is an enjoyable and perfectly acceptable activity; however, Wildlife Resources Section personnel recommend that this pastime be conducted from a safe distance and with the aid of binoculars.
“In addition to being detrimental to the welfare of young animals, handling wildlife potentially may expose humans to various wildlife-associated diseases, parasites and other health-related risks,” said Thorn. “Rabies, roundworms and other parasites such as lice and ticks can be transmitted to humans through the improper handling of wildlife.”
DNR offices statewide receive numerous calls each year concerning young wildlife, especially fawn deer that have been picked up by well-meaning residents. In almost every case these young animals have not been abandoned. The offspring are often hidden as the adult searches for food, and this separation can last for a few hours or all day.
Humans are poor substitute parents for wild animals, because young wildlife require special diets and learn survival skills from their parents. Removing young wildlife from its natural environment almost certainly leads to the death of the animal.
Many people often mistake a bedded fawn, with no mother in sight, as abandoned, but that is usually not the case. Hiding the fawn and leaving it while the doe searches for food is an important survival tactic. The spotted pattern and coloration of fawns and their lack of scent afford protection to these young animals and make them difficult for predators to detect.
If a predator happens to approach close to a fawn, the young deer will normally hold very still until the threat passes. If discovered by a predator, the fawn will wait until the very last moment before fleeing to safety. The doe will come back to check on her fawn at feeding time. As a final caution, remember that state laws and regulations prohibit the possession of wildlife without a permit. Under any circumstances, when you pick up a young animal in the wild, you have taken it into your possession. The fines for illegal possession of a fawn deer, black bear cub, baby raccoon, squirrel or any other species taken or possessed during the closed season range from $20 up to a maximum of $1,000 and/or up to 100 days in jail.
“We want everyone to enjoy wildlife in West Virginia,” said Thorn. “For your own health and safety and to protect the state’s wildlife, remember these wild animals should be left alone and allowed to stay wild.”
WV Wild: Dogwood, Ramps and Gobblers
As I walked along the old tram road I could make out the white blossoms of the dogwoods and the rich green carpet of the ramps along the hillside. It was a perfect morning to be out in the high country searching for a wily old Tom Turkey. The wind was still with the temperature standing about 42 degrees. I had hunted this mountainside above Gandy Creek near Job many times. The gobblers had a habit of roosting on a high knob above the old mountain sods.
As I got nearer to the top some of the sheep in the pasture began to get up and move out of my way. I wanted to get another 200 yards closer to the top when a raspy old gobbler broke the morning silence. I was still on the old logging road and stopped for a moment to locate the turkey. He gobbled again and this time I realized he was actually across the creek and not on my side of the mountain.
I started on up the mountain but only got a few steps when another gobbler answered. This one caused me to drop to my knees. He was close and directly above me. I began to look around for a hiding place and hoped the bird wouldn’t see my movement.
Calling Two Birds
Just to my right there was a small pile of logs. Slowly, and as close to the ground as possible, I moved in behind the logs. When you are taught to hunt gobblers you are told that it is nearly impossible to call a gobbler downhill. In this situation, the bird was about 125 yards above me and just over the lip of the hill to where it couldn’t see me but could hear me clearly. I got settled and, before I could get my caller out, the gobbler rattled the mountain again. This time, the one across the creek responded and so did one just to the left of the one above me. I was pinned down now and the only chance I had was to call the birds down to me.
I was well concealed and let out a soft call on the slate call. Immediately, the two birds above me gobbled back. I waited a couple of minutes and called again. Again, the birds above me gobbled but hadn’t moved any. I felt sure they were still on the roost. This time I just sat there and waited. After three or four minutes the gobblers couldn’t stand it any longer and one of them gobbled. It was obvious they wanted me to respond and to make sure I hadn’t left. I called again and, before I finished the series of yelps, both birds gobbled back at me but seemed to be in the exact same spot with no movement.
This continued for another four or five minutes with no movement from the gobblers. Now the woods were filled with light and I could see the sun about to pop over the far mountain. While I was pondering the situation, one of the turkeys gobbled again above me, but this time I felt sure he was on the ground. I called back and was sure now that both the birds were off the roost and closer to the lip of the flat they were on.
The Gobblers are Coming!
I called again and the birds began to move back and forth on the flat but wouldn’t come to look over. This time I changed calls and started to cut on my old Lynch box call. I heard them again and it was clear they were about to look over the edge to where I was hiding.
http://wvcommerce.org/App_Media/assets/images/naturalresources/naturestories/wild-4-13-02.pngNow I dropped the box call and raised my gun, resting it on the log pile pointed in the direction of the birds. I use one of the push/pull calls attached to my gun barrel when the birds are near. In a few seconds I saw the blue-white head of the gobbler above me and in another couple of seconds the head of the second bird.
I pulled the call on the barrel and this seemed to really set them off. Both birds gobbled and continued to come right down the hill. I didn’t call again as it didn’t appear necessary – they were coming! I watched as they weaved their way through the thin undergrowth. They were coming at 75 yards, then 60, then 50. I had picked out a little stump that was about 35 yards away and decided that if they got that close I would try one. On they came as if on a string right toward my hiding place.
In a few seconds the first one reached the little stump and stopped. “Had he seen me?” was a thought that flashed across my mind. When he took a step sideways instead of forward like he was coming, I decided it was now or never. I placed the bead of the 12 gauge Remington pump on his neck, just under his head, and pulled the trigger. The load of 5s from the three-inch Winchester struck him hard and he just collapsed. There was a couple of thrashes of his wings and a little pumping with his legs and then silence. The second bird had taken to the air and back around the mountain.
Spring Mountain Surf and Turf
I sat there for a few seconds until I was sure there was no more movement from the turkey. I became more aware of the sun lighting the dogwoods and the ramps that were now swaying back and forth a little as a mountain breeze started to stir. As I got up and gathered my calls and empty shell, I could also hear the roar of Gandy below me. I walked toward the gobbler and thought of ending a perfect day with a few hours’ trout fishing on Gandy below.
As you prepare for this year’s spring gobbler season, think of spending a day or two hunting and fishing. There is no better time to be in the mountains. There is no better time to enjoy God’s splendor as you savor the birth of our wildflowers, the bursting forth of the blossoms on our native trees and the cool rush of our mountain streams.
Above all, be careful! Make sure of your target. Make sure it is a gobbler and make sure it has a visible beard. If you do these two simple things, and can see that there is no one behind the gobbler, then you, I and all of our hunters will share a safe spring.
Note: the 2013 spring gobbler season in West Virginia runs from April 22 through May 18, with a special Youth Spring Gobbler Season set for Saturday, April 20, 2013.
West Virginia Landowners Can Get Funds for Wetlands
West Virginia landowners interested in restoring, enhancing or protecting wetlands may be able to get federal funding.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service says its accepting applications for the Wetland Reserve Program.
The program assists landowners in restoring, creating, protecting and enhancing wetlands on their property through a voluntary, environmentally safe and cost-effective manner.
Officials say applicants have three options to participate through restoration cost-share agreements, 30-year easements or permanent easements.
Fishing Report – 04.04.13
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is slowly rising to summer pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information. Bass can be caught throughout the day. Try fishing near downed trees, old stumps, and near points. Crappie are abundant in Beech Fork and can be caught on a variety of light lures. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using shad imitating lures or with live bait suspended below a bobber.
BLUESTON
Stripers and hybrids have been seen schooling and chasing shad occasionally still around the pit area. Try shad like lures and surface lures to garner strikes when they appear at the surface. A few bass being caught both smallmouth and largemouth have been reported. Successful anglers are using slow moving lures soft plastics and minnow like jerkbaits-along sun warmed banks and close to drop-offs along the main channel later in the day. No recent reports from catfish anglers. A new boat launch was recently completed at ‘the Pit’. The old launch was becoming silted in and will be off limits during the construction of the new bridge over the Bluestone arm of the lake. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.466.0156. Be aware that in the future, the access at the Pit will be reduced due to the construction on the Bluestone arm bridge. Construction equipment and trucks will be on the site, be safe and be aware of your surroundings while using the Pit area to prevent any accidents. Once the construction begins, inconveniences to anglers and users of the Pit area will be reduced as much as possible as problems are sorted out over time. The construction will last through 2016. Please be careful as mentioned, be prepared to possibly wait a little longer to launch and pick.up your boat, and be sure to be courteous of others. Please bear with State Park personnel until issues can be worked out as they develop.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is seven feet below summer pool. The Corps of Engineers began the process of raising the lake level to summer pool on April 1. Fishing is fair. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on March 21. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.853.2398.
EAST LYNN
The reservoir level is slowly rising towards summer pool. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.849.9861. Big bass will continue to feed during the colder months. Try fishing near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Musky will begin moving toward the head of the lake. Larger crappie can be caught using live minnows and slip bobbers near standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. Try fishing for walleye near the dam. In the tailwater, trout and walleye should be actively feeding.
R.D. BAILEY
The winter launch ramp is closed. No recent reports from anglers. Trout were recently stocked in the tailwaters. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
STEPHENS LAKE
With warmer weather, anglers are having luck fishing later in the afternoon in the shallows for bass using slow moving lures and soft plastics.
STONECOAL LAKE
The lake is two feet below summer pool. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait and jigs around beaver huts and fish attractors. Trout fishing has been fair. A few perch have been caught in the upper end on minnows.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is at two feet below summer pool and clear. The Corps of Engineers began the process of raising the lake level to summer pool on April 01. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on March 21. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.269.7463.
SUMMERSVILLE
The lake is 20 feet above winter pool. The Corps of Engineers began the process of raising the lake level to summer pool on April 01. Bass are being caught in 10 to 15 feet of water. For walleye try rocky points, drop offs and at the mouth of small tributaries entering the lake A few have been caught as deep as 50 feet). The tailwaters were stocked with trout on March 15. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.872.3412.
SUTTON
The lake is 12 feet below summer pool and clear. The Corps of Engineers began the process of raising the lake level to summer pool on April 01. Fishing is fair. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 12 feet. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout March 21. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
The lake is near the summer level. Water temperatures are much colder than this time last year. Walleye should be in the middle of spawning and will move into shallow water to feed or spawn at dusk. Try casting large Rapalas along the shoreline about an hour before and after sunset. Some walleye will also move up into river at the head of the lake to spawn. Drive into Cove Run and fish the river from the shore.
Walleye will have been moving through the dam during the recent high water discharges. There are also lots of trout 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)
There are a lot of sauger in the dam tailwaters and walleye and sauger are also being caught at the mouths of tributaries, particularly Fishing Creek. Minnows are the best bet but jigging spoons have also been productive. Other good spots at this time of year are heated discharges at power plants. One hour before and after sunset is the best time for sauger and walleye. Hybrid striped bass will congregate in these areas.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Water temperatures are still10 degrees colder than this time last year. Fish surveys reveal good numbers of large muskies in shallow water along the shore at this time of year. Muskies can be caught by trolling or casting large crank baits throughout the river. Walleye and sauger should be in the middle of spawning. A good pattern now is to fish for sauger and walleye an hour before and after sunset. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters but will be active during the day when the water is turbid. They may also concentrate at the mouths of larger tributaries like Deckers, Buffalo, PawPaw and Pricket’s creeks. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive.
CHEAT LAKE
Colder than normal water temperatures have slowed walleye spawning activity. Walleye are now more abundant upstream of Mt. Chateau than below the I-68 Bridge. Good walleye stockings in 2010 and 2012 should now be producing 13 to 15.inch fish. Yellow perch are also abundant in the lake. The best area for yellow perch is from the Sunset Beach Cove to the I-68 Bridge and also around the mouth of Morgans Run at the Cheat Lake Park. Channel catfish can be caught at the Cheat Lake Park even during this cold weather. The April water level can only fluctuate seven feet until the summer level is maintained starting May 01.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flows in streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are higher than normal and the water is clear. Stream water temperatures are in the mid 40’s and anglers are still catching lots of big smallmouth bass. The 2013 trout stocking season is underway so check the 2013 fishing regulations to see if your favorite water will be receiving early trout stockings.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are near normal and should be in great fishing condition by the weekend. Try fishing slow moving plastic in deep pools and between bedrock ledges.
North Branch River
Flows in the North Branch are currently near 1,600 cfs and too high for wade fishing. The flows are projected to start dropping by the weekend.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Select small impoundments are receiving spring trout stockings so check the regulation and trout stocking hotline for up-to-date stocking information.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently two feet above conservation pool and rising slowly. The West Virginia boat ramp opened Saturday, March 30. So both the West Virginia and Maryland ramps should be open for the season. You can purchase seasonal launch permits from the Army Corp. of Engineers on the West Virginia side or from the Maryland DNR on the Maryland side of the lake. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mount Storm Lake should target striped bass, black bass and walleye. Mount Storm Lake is a great early season fishing opportunity. Dominion Power has reinstalled the floating courtesy dock at the public boat launch to assist boat anglers. Fish can be caught throughout the lake but many anglers do well fishing with chicken livers near the discharges. Try fishing woody structure for largemouth bass and rocky shores for smallmouth bass.
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. It is a great time of year to fish for walleye at the mouth of tributaries in our larger rivers. Watoga and Indian Rock lakes; French Creek Pond; Elk, Gandy and Shavers Fork are a few areas that were stocked with trout the past few weeks. Remember to buy your 2013 fishing license before heading out.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
A number of exceptional smallmouth bass and walleye have recently been caught in the Hinton area. Be sure to check flows with recent rains and increased snow melt, fishing opportunities will be dictated by flows and if levels are low enough to fish. Fish slow and expect fish to be in slower or slack water areas with depth and/or cover nearby. Muskie anglers have reported fish being caught on large plugs fished slowly in the New and Greenbrier rivers. Please be aware of the special regulations in the New River for walleye. A slot limit is in place from Hawks Nest dam in Fayette County upstream to the VA/WV line in Summers County. Within the slot limit area, all walleye between 20 and 30 inches must be released. Two walleye may be kept; only one walleye may exceed 30 inches. If kept, the other must be below 20 inches. Within this zone, exists a catch and release zone. The catch and release zone exists from Meadow Creek upstream to the base of Sandstone Falls 5 miles). No walleye may be in an angler’s possession in this zone. Trout anglers are having some success on local streams during warmer days and when flows are fishable. District Four waters stocked recently include Anthony, Paint and Knapps creeks. Call 304.558.3399 for a recent stocking report. But remember, don’t let the stocking report dictate your destination, larger rivers and streams hold trout year-round or fish carry over from fall stockings if they received fish. Spinners, micro jigs and bait all do well at this time of the year. Slow your retrieve if using spinners, etc. to match temperature levels. Try salmon eggs, powerbait, worms and other baits fished slow and close to the bottom for greater success this time of the year. Small impoundments offer good bass fishing during the early spring as well. Successful anglers pick warm days and target fish mainly during the late afternoon after waters have warmed from the sun. Try soft plastics, spinnerbaits and your bait of choice, fished slowly for success.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing should be really picking up with a return to lower flows. Jigs with minnows or live minnows under a bobber 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.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
These rivers should be fishable this weekend.
Small Impoundments
Trout, bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with night crawlers or artificial baits. Check the daily trout stocking report at 304.558.3399.
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. 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 tailwaters. 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 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.
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 downstream of fast moving water. Musky anglers should try medium to large lures. Middle Island Creek, the major stream 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 North Bend Lake.
Stream Conditions
| NORTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Ohio River (Wheeling) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fish Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Fishing Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Sandy (Preston) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Monongahela River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Wheeling Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Buffalo Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Blackwater River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| |
| EASTERN PANHANDLE |
Levels |
Conditions |
| S. Branch (Potomac) |
|
|
High |
Clear
|
|
|
| S. Branch (Smoke Hole) |
|
|
High |
Clear
|
|
|
| Shenandoah River |
|
|
High |
Clear
|
|
|
| Patterson Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear
|
|
|
| N. Fork S. Branch |
|
|
High |
Clear
|
|
|
| Cacapon River |
|
|
High |
Clear
|
|
|
| Back Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear
|
|
|
| Opequon Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear
|
|
|
| Lost River |
|
|
High |
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 |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Cherry River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Cherry River (N. Fork) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Cherry River (S. Fork) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Williams River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Knapps River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Greenbrier (E&W Forks) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Little River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Shavers Fork |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Buckhannon River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Holly River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Elk River (Webster) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Elk River (Back Fork) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| |
| SOUTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| New River (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (Ronceverte) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Anthony Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Meadow River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Turkey Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Potts Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Second Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Pinnacle Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Horse Creek Lake |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Huff Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Indian Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Glade Creek (New River) |
|
|
High
|
|
Milky
|
|
| Marsh Fork |
|
|
High
|
|
Milky
|
|
| New River (Gauley) |
|
|
High
|
|
Milky |
|
| Glade Creek (Man) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Camp Creek |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| East River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Fork Creek |
|
|
High
|
|
Milky |
|
| Dry Fork Creek |
|
|
High
|
|
Milky |
|
| Berwind Lake |
|
|
High
|
|
Milky |
|
| |
| WESTERN & SOUTHWESTERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Little Kanawha River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Ohio River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Hughes River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
Trout Stockings:
April 05, 2013
• Buffalo Creek (Logan)
• Bullskin Run
• Evitts Run
• Glady Fork
• Horse Creek Lake
• Kimsey Run Lake
• Long Marsh Run
• Meadow Creek of Anthony Creek (Greenbrier)
• Middle Creek
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek (Berkeley)
• New Creek
• North Fork of Anthony Creek
• North Fork of Lunice
• North Fork of Patterson Creek
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• Shavers Fork (Stuarts Park C&R)
• Tuscarora Creek
April 04, 2013
• Big Run Lake
• Cacapon Park Lake
• Fall Run
• French Creek Pond
• Horseshoe Run
• Jimmy Lewis Lake
• Left Fork of Holly River
• Mill Run of Back Creek
• North Fork of South Branch
• Opequon Creek
• Pipestem Lake
• Red Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• South Branch (Franklin)
• Summit Lake
• Tilhance Creek
• Tygart Valley River Headwaters
• Watoga Lake
April 03, 2013
• Anthony Creek
• Bear Rocks Lake
• Blackwater River
• Dillons Run
• Dog Run Lake
• Dunkard Fork Lake
• Dunloup Creek
• Edwards Run
• Fort Ashby Reservoir
• Hopkins Fork
• Knapps Creek
• Meadow Creek of New River (Summers)
• Mill Creek of South Branch (Hampshire)
• Milligan Creek
• Paint Creek
• Pond Fork
• Rhine Creek
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• Thomas Park Lake
• Wheeling Creek
April 02, 2013
• Buffalo Creek (Brooke)
• Camp Creek
• Castlemans Run Lake
• Cherry River
• Cranberry River
• East River
• Elk River
• Gandy Creek
• Laurel Fork (Randolph) *due to snow, stocked at bridge on Rt. 33 only
• Lost River
• Mash Fork
• Mash Fork of Camp Creek (Children & Class Q)
• Middle Wheeling Lake
• Mill Creek Reservoir
• North Fork of Cherry River
• North Fork of Fishing Creek
• South Fork of Fishing Creek
• South Mill Creek Lake
• Teter Creek Lake
• Trout Run
• Waites Run
April 01, 2013
• Brandywine Lake
• Brushy Fork Lake
• Buffalo Fork Lake
• Clear Fork of Guyandotte River
• Conaway Run Lake
• Deer Creek (Nicholas)
• Deer Creek (Pocahontas)
• Dry Fork (Randolph, Tucker)
• East Fork Greenbrier River
• Greenbrier River
• Laurel Creek of Cherry River (Greenbrier, Nicholas)
• Little River East Fork Greenbrier River
• Moores Run
• North River
• Panther Creek
• Pinnacle Creek (lower section)
• R.D. Bailey Tailwaters
• Tuckahoe Lake
• Warden Lake
March 29, 2013
• Big Clear Creek
• Blackwater River
• Chief Logan Lake
• Curtisville Lake
• Elk River
• Laurel Lake
• Little Clear Creek
• Lost River
• North fork of South Branch
• Summit Lake
• Trout Run
• Waites Run
March 28, 2013
• Anderson Lake
• Anthony Creek
• Big Sandy Creek
• Buckhannon River
• Bullskin Run
• Clear Fork of Guyandotte River
• Coopers Rock Lake
• Evitts Run
• Gandy Creek
• Glady Fork *due to road conditions, stockings were not done behind gates
• Left Fork of Right Fork of Buckhannon River
• Middle Creek
• Miletree Lake
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek (Berkeley)
• New Creek
• North Fork of Patterson Creek
• Pinnacle Creek (lower section)
• Potts Creek
• South Fork of Cherry River
• South Fork of Potts Creek
• Tuscarora Creek
March 27, 2013
• Cacapon Park Lake
• Glade Creek of New River
• Middle Fork River
• Opequon Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• South Branch (Smoke Hole) C&R
• Tilhance Creek
New West Virginia Apprentice Hunting License Available Online
The West Virginia Apprentice Hunting and Trapping License (Class AH) is now available online, according to Frank Jezioro, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The license allows people to try hunting without completing a hunter education course.
“Hunter safety education can be a hurdle for novice hunters and we’re really expecting to see many new hunters take advantage of this opportunity,” said Jezioro. “After these novice hunters get a taste of the experience, we believe they will complete hunter safety courses and become lifetime hunters.“
Apprentice licenses can only be purchased online at: www.wvhunt.com by people who have not previously held a hunting license. Residents who have reached their 18th birthday can purchase a Class AH license for $19. This license includes the same privileges as a Class A (resident hunting and trapping) license, so holders must buy a Class CS Conservation Stamp.
Nonresidents who have reached their 18th birthday can purchase a Class AAH license for $119. This license includes the same privileges as a Class E (nonresident hunting and trapping) license, so holders must buy a Class CS/LE Conservation Stamp/Law Enforcement stamp.
Resident and nonresident youth ages 15 through 17 can buy a Junior Apprentice Hunting and Trapping License for $16. The Class AHJ license for residents includes the same privileges as a Class XJ (junior sportsman hunting/trapping/fishing) license. The Class AAHJ license for nonresidents, combined with a Class CS/LE stamp, includes the same privileges as a Class XXJ license.
Hunters may buy up to three apprentice licenses within five consecutive years. Apprentice license holders must be supervised by a licensed hunter at least 18 years of age.
“We’re hoping this license will help us recruit first-time hunters, whether they be youth just getting a start or adults wanting to give hunting a try,” said Curtis I. Taylor, chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of DNR. “Hunter recruitment is a prime topic around the country and is key to continuing the successful management programs we have implemented in the past.”
Fishing Report – 03.28.13
BEECH FORK
The reservoir level is at winter pool. Anglers should call the Beech Fork Corps of Engineers office at 304.525.4831 for more information. Bass can be caught throughout the day. Try fishing near downed trees, old stumps, and near points. Crappie are abundant in Beech Fork and can be caught on a variety of light lures. Hybrid striped bass and white bass can be caught using shad imitating lures.
BLUESTONE
Stripers and hybrids have been seen schooling and chasing shad occasionally still around the pit area. Try shad like lures and surface lures to garner strikes when they appear at the surface. A few bass being caught both smallmouth and largemouth have been reported. Successful anglers are using slow moving lures soft plastics and minnow like jerkbaits-along sun warmed banks and close to drop-offs along the main channel later in the day. No recent reports from catfish anglers. A new boat launch was recently completed at ‘the Pit’. The old launch was becoming silted in and will be off limits during the construction of the new bridge over the Bluestone arm of the lake. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.466.0156. Be aware that in the future, the access at the Pit will be reduced due to the construction on the Bluestone arm bridge. Construction equipment and trucks will be on the site, be safe and be aware of your surroundings while using the Pit area to prevent any accidents. Once the construction begins, inconveniences to anglers and users of the Pit area will be reduced as much as possible as problems are sorted out over time. The construction will last through 2016. Please be careful as mentioned, be prepared to possibly wait a little longer to launch and pick-up your boat, and be sure to be courteous of others. Please bear with State Park personnel until issues can be worked out as they develop.
BURNSVILLE
The lake is at winter pool. Fishing is fair. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also being caught on live bait in any type of cover. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on March 21. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.853.2398.
EAST LYNN
The reservoir level is at winter pool. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.849.9861. Big bass will continue to feed into the colder months. Try fishing near logs, stumps and fish attracting brush piles. Musky will be found near bush piles and fallen trees. Channel and flathead catfish will be good throughout the day. Larger crappie can be caught using live minnows and slip bobbers near standing timber or trees that have fallen into the water. Try fishing for walleye near the dam.
R.D. BAILEY – The winter launch ramp is closed. No recent reports from anglers. Trout were recently stocked in the tailwaters. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304.664.9587.
STEPHENS LAKE
With warmer weather, anglers are having luck fishing later in the afternoon in the shallows for bass using slow moving lures and soft plastics.
STONECOAL LAKE
The lake is two feet below summer pool. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait and jigs around beaver huts and fish attractors. Trout fishing has been fair. A few perch have been caught in the upper end on minnows.
STONEWALL JACKSON
The lake is at winter pool and clear. Bass are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on March 21. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.269.7463.
SUMMERSVILLE
The lake is at winter pool. Bass are being caught in 10 to 15 feet of water. For walleye try rocky points, drop offs and at the mouth of small tributaries entering the lake A few have been caught as deep as 50 feet). The tailwaters were stocked with trout on March 15. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304.872.3412.
SUTTON
The lake is at winter pool and clear. Fishing is fair. Bass are being caught in about 10 to 12 feet. Most are being caught in and around cover. Bluegill and crappie are also hitting live bait. The tailwaters were stocked with trout March 21. Before heading to the lake please call Corps of Engineers at 304.765.2705.
TYGART LAKE
The lake is about 30 feet below the summer level. Water temperatures are much colder than this time last year. Walleye have started to spawn and will move into shallow water to feed or spawn at dusk. Try casting large Rapalas along the shoreline about an hour before and after sunset. Some walleye will also move up into river at the head of the lake to spawn. Drive into Cove Run and fish the river from the shore.
Walleye will have been moving through the dam during the recent high water discharges. There are also lots of trout 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)
There are a lot of sauger in the dam tailwaters and walleye are also being caught at the mouths of tributaries, particularly Fishing Creek. Minnows are the best bet but jigging spoons have also been productive. Other good spots at this time of year are heated discharges at power plants. One hour before and after sunset is the best time for sauger and walleye. Hybrid striped bass will congregate in these areas.
MONONGAHELA RIVER
Water temperatures are 18 degrees colder than this time last year. Fish surveys reveal good numbers of large muskies in shallow water along the shore at this time of year. Muskies can be caught by trolling or casting large crank baits throughout the river. Walleye and sauger are starting to spawn. A good pattern now is to fish for sauger and walleye an hour before and after sunset. Sauger and walleye usually begin feeding at dusk in the tailwaters but will be active during the day when the water is turbid. They may also concentrate at the mouths of larger tributaries like Deckers, Buffalo, PawPaw and Pricket’s creeks. Jigs with minnows are always good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive.
CHEAT LAKE
Channel catfish can be caught at the Cheat Lake Park even during this cold weather. Good walleye stockings in 2010 and 2012 should now be producing 13 to 15.inch fish. Larger walleye should be getting ready to spawn and are concentrated between Canyon and Sunset Beach. Try casting large Rapalas along the shoreline about an hour before and after sunset. Yellow perch are also abundant in the lake. The best area is also between Canyon and Sunset Beach and upstream to the I-68 Bridge.
EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers
Flow in most streams and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle vary depending on location. The South Branch and tributaries are near normal flow but could rise by the weekend due to snow melt. Opequon and Back creeks are currently on the rise so watch the USGS stream gages before planning a fishing trip. Stream water temperatures are in the lower 40’s but anglers have been catching lots of big smallmouth bass. The 2013 trout stocking season is underway so check the 2013 fishing regulations to see if your favorite water will be receiving early trout stockings.
Shenandoah River
Flows in the Shenandoah River are near normal and should be in great fishing condition by the weekend. Try fishing slow moving plastic in deep pools and between bedrock ledges.
North Branch River
Flows in the North Branch are currently between 400 - 600 cfs and expected to remain at that level for several more days.
Small Impoundments
Small impoundments are in great fishing condition. Select small impoundments are receiving spring trout stockings so check the regulation and trout stocking hotline for up-to-date stocking information.
Jennings Randolph Lake
Jennings Randolph Lake is currently two feet below conservation pool and rising slowly. The West Virginia boat ramp is scheduled to open this Saturday, March 30. So both the West Virginia and Maryland ramps should be open for the season. You can purchase seasonal launch permits from the Army Corp. of Engineers on the West Virginia side or from the Maryland DNR on the Maryland side of the lake. Jennings Randolph Lake has a dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304.355.2890.
Mt. Storm Lake
Anglers at Mount Storm Lake should target striped bass, black bass and walleye. Mount Storm Lake is a great early season fishing opportunity. Dominion Power has reinstalled the floating courtesy dock at the public boat launch to assist boat anglers. Fish can be caught throughout the lake but many anglers do well fishing with chicken livers near the discharges. Try fishing woody structure for largemouth bass and rocky shores for smallmouth bass.
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. It is a great time of year to fish for walleye at the mouth of tributaries in our larger rivers. Watoga and Indian Rock lakes; French Creek Pond; Elk, Gandy and Shavers Fork are a few areas that were stocked with trout the past few weeks. Remember to buy your 2013 fishing license before heading out.
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
A number of exceptional smallmouth bass and walleye have recently been caught in the Hinton area. Be sure to check flows with recent rains and increased snow melt, fishing opportunities will be dictated by flows and if levels are low enough to fish. Fish slow and expect fish to be in slower or slack water areas with depth and/or cover nearby. Muskie anglers have reported fish being caught on large plugs fished slowly in the New and Greenbrier rivers. Please be aware of the special regulations in the New River for walleye. A slot limit is in place from Hawks Nest dam in Fayette County upstream to the VA/WV line in Summers County. Within the slot limit area, all walleye between 20 and 30 inches must be released. Two walleye may be kept; only one walleye may exceed 30 inches. If kept, the other must be below 20 inches. Within this zone, exists a catch and release zone. The catch and release zone exists from Meadow Creek upstream to the base of Sandstone Falls 5 miles). No walleye may be in an angler’s possession in this zone. Trout anglers are having some success on local streams during warmer days and when flows are fishable. District Four waters stocked recently include Anthony, Paint and Knapps creeks. Call 304.558.3399 for a recent stocking report. But remember, don’t let the stocking report dictate your destination, larger rivers and streams hold trout year-round or fish carry over from fall stockings if they received fish. Spinners, micro jigs and bait all do well at this time of the year. Slow your retrieve if using spinners, etc. to match temperature levels. Try salmon eggs, powerbait, worms and other baits fished slow and close to the bottom for greater success this time of the year. Small impoundments offer good bass fishing during the early spring as well. Successful anglers pick warm days and target fish mainly during the late afternoon after waters have warmed from the sun. Try soft plastics, spinnerbaits and your bait of choice, fished slowly for success.
SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA
Lower Ohio and Kanawha Rivers
Tailwater fishing may be difficult with higher water levels. Try fishing in the slack water areas near the lock side of the dam. Jigs with minnows or live minnows under a bobber 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.
Guyandotte, Coal, Poca, Elk, and Mud Rivers
Flows may be too high for good fishing this weekend.
Small Impoundments
Bluegill and bass will be feeding and can be caught with night crawlers or artificial baits. Check the daily trout stocking report at 304.558.3399.
WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA
So far this month, trout have been stocked into the following area lakes: Rollins and Turkey Run lakes in Jackson County, Tracy Lake and Pennsboro Water Supply Reservoir in Ritchie County, Mountwood Park Lake in Wood County, Conaway Run Lake in Tyler County, and Cedar Creek State Park Ponds in Gilmer County. Additionally this month, Mile Tree Lake in Roane County will be stocked again. Check the Daily Trout Stocking report for the latest at 304.558.3399. 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. When lakes are not frozen small spinners, Joe type flies, and trout magnets also work well.
This is a good time to fish Ohio River tailwaters. Anglers fishing below the Belleville dam are catching a few sauger, walleye, and a few other species. Suspended minnows or lead headed jigs with twister tails white or chartreuses), which are fished along the bottom, are the lures of choice. When the river is running high and muddy clever anglers are tipping their jig hooks with minnows. Best spots to fish these areas include eddies and back-current sections, and anywhere that river flows are unusual slow. 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.
Fishing for largemouth bass can be good during warm sunny days in area lakes. Slowly fished rubber worms or jig-and-pig combos are good terminal tackle choices. Area lakes with good winter bass 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, Woodrum, and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County.
Musky streams are expected to be fishable this weekend. Winter musky anglers use medium to large lures, and they concentrate their fishing efforts around brush piles or other areas of good cover. Middle Island Creek, the major streams in the Hughes River system, and the Little Kanawha River are good area musky waters.
Stream Conditions
| NORTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Ohio River (Wheeling) |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Fish Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Fishing Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Big Sandy (Preston) |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Monongahela River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Wheeling Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Buffalo Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Blackwater River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| |
| 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 |
|
|
High |
Clear
|
|
|
| Opequon Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear
|
|
|
| Lost River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear
|
|
|
| |
| CENTRAL |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Elk (Sutton) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Little Kanawha |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Elk (Clay) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| West Fork River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Gauley River |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Cranberry River |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Cherry River |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Cherry River (N. Fork) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Cherry River (S. Fork) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Williams River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Knapps River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Greenbrier (E&W Forks) |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Little River |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Shavers Fork |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Buckhannon River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Holly River |
|
|
High |
|
Milky
|
|
| Elk River (Webster) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Elk River (Back Fork) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| |
| SOUTHERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| New River (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Greenbrier (Hinton) |
|
|
High |
|
Milky |
|
| Greenbrier (Ronceverte) |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Anthony Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Big Creek |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Meadow River |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky |
|
| Turkey Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Potts Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Second Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Pinnacle Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Horse Creek Lake |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Big Huff Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Indian Creek |
|
Normal |
|
Clear |
|
|
| Glade Creek (New River) |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky
|
|
| Marsh Fork |
|
Normal |
|
|
Milky
|
|
| New River (Gauley) |
|
|
High
|
|
|
Muddy |
| Glade Creek (Man) |
|
|
High |
|
|
Muddy |
| Camp Creek |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| East River |
|
|
High |
Clear |
|
|
| Fork Creek |
|
|
High
|
|
Milky |
|
| Dry Fork Creek |
|
|
High
|
|
Milky |
|
| Berwind Lake |
|
|
High
|
|
Milky |
|
| |
| WESTERN & SOUTHWESTERN |
Levels |
Conditions |
| Little Kanawha River |
|
|
High
|
|
|
Muddy
|
| Ohio River |
|
|
High
|
|
|
Muddy |
| Hughes River |
|
|
High
|
|
|
Muddy
|
Trout Stockings:
March 27, 2013
• Cacapon Park Lake
• Glade Creek of New River
• Middle Fork River
• Opequon Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• South Branch (Smoke Hole) C&R
• Tilhance Creek
March 26, 2013
• Dillons Run
• Edwards Run
• Fort Ashby Reservoir
• Knapps Creek
• Mill Creek of South Branch
• Paw Paw Creek
• Right Fork of Middle Fork River
• Watoga Lake
• Whiteday Creek
March 25, 2013
• All scheduled stockings for this date were cancelled due to weather and road conditions.
March 22, 2012
• Back Fork of Elk River
• Blackwater River
• Cranberry River
• Desert Fork
• Indian Creek
• North River
• Paint Creek
• Pond Fork
• Rich Creek
• Seneca Lake
• Sugar Creek
• Tygart Headwaters
• Warden Lake
March 21, 2013
• Bear Rocks Lake
• Burnsville Tailwaters
• Dry Fork (Randolph, Tucker)
• Glady Fork
• Shavers Fork (Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (lower section)
• South Branch (Franklin)
• Stonewall Jackson Tailwaters
• Summit Lake
• Sutton Tailwaters
• Watoga Lake
• Wheeling Creek
March 20, 2013
• Anthony Creek
• Camp Creek
• Cherry River
• Conaway Run Lake
• East Fork Greenbrier River
• East River
• Elk River
• Horseshoe Run
• Jennings Randolph Tailwaters
• Kimsey Run Lake
• Kings Creek
• Knapps Creek
• Little Kanawha Headwaters
• Little River East Fork Greenbrier River
• Mash Fork
• Mash Fork of Camp Creek (Children & Class Q)
• North Fork of Anthony Creek
• North Fork of Cherry River
• R.D. Bailey Tailwaters
• Red Creek
• Right Fork of Little Kanawha
• South Branch (Smoke Hole)
• Tomlinson Run
• Tomlinson Run Lake
March 19, 2013
• Bullskin Run
• Cacapon Park Lake
• Evitts Run
• Gandy Creek
• Krodel Lake
• Laurel Creek of New River
• Laurel Fork (Randolph) *due to snow, stocked at bridge on Rt. 33 only
• Middle Creek
• Mill Creek of New River
• Mill Creek of Opequon Creek (Berkeley)
• Mill Run of Back Creek (Berkeley)
• New Creek
• North Fork of Lunice
• North Fork of Patterson Creek
• North Fork of South Branch
• Opequon Creek
• Rocky Marsh Run
• Teter Creek Lake
March 18, 2013
• French Creek Pond
• Left Fork of Holly River
• Lost River
• Lower Cove Run
• Mountwood Park Lake
• South Mill Creek Lake
• Trout Run
• Waites Run
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