WVDNR Bass Fishing Report 12/17/08

Weekly Fishing Report

December 17, 2008

FISHING

BEECH FORK – The reservoir is at winter pool. No current fishing reports.

BLUESTONE – During winter, anglers should fish slowly and methodically. Fish will still feed but have a slower metabolism as the water cools. A few bass are being caught off rocky points using live minnows. Anglers should look for points that have some cover such as stumps, logs, or ledges. Anglers should try spots such as at the mouth of the Bluestone Arm or near the dam. With any warm, stable weather, fish may become more active. A few anglers are catching some smallmouth bass in the tailwaters. Successful anglers are using one-eighth ounce white doll flies and gitzits. Anglers should be careful wading this time of year due to the cold water and slippery conditions. Wear your personal flotation devices.

BURNSVILLE – The lake is approximately two feet above winter pool and milky. Water temperatures are in the 40’s and fishing has been difficult because of ice. Bass are in about 10-20 feet of water.

EAST LYNN – The reservoir is at winter pool. Both the outflow and the reservoir are murky with a surface temperature of 46 F degrees. No current fishing reports.

STONECOAL LAKE – The lake is at summer pool and cloudy. Water temperatures are in the 40’s and fishing is good. Bass are in about 10 feet of water.

STONEWALL JACKSON – The lake is at winter pool and cloudy. Surface temperature is in the 40’s and fishing is fair. Bass are in about 10-20 feet of water.

SUMMERSVILLE – The lake is approximately 10 feet above winter pool, milky, and fishing has been fair. For bass, try 10-15 feet of water around rock points as well as the Battle Run area. Outflow temperature is 42.

SUTTON – The lake is one foot above winter pool and milky. Water temperatures are in the 40’s and fishing is fair. Bass have been in 10-20 feet of water. Boat launching at Bee run and behind the dam only.

TYGART LAKE – The lake is about 25 feet below the summer level but had increased to near the summer level last week.

NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

OHIO RIVER (New Cumberland, Pike Island, and Hannibal pools and tailwaters): The mouths of tributaries are good places to fish during the winter. Fish will move into the mouths to escape the current of the main river and conserve energy.

MONONGAHELA RIVER – The water temperature is around 38 degrees. Recent high flows will cause fish to move into tributary mouths, particularly Buffalo, Paw Paw, Prickett and Whiteday creeks. Fish will also be attracted to currents in the tailwaters and heated discharges at the power plants.

CHEAT LAKE – The lake is at winter operating level and can fluctuate several feet daily. The winter boat ramp at Cheat Lake Park is now open. The Sunset Beach ramp is not usable below a lake elevation of 865 feet. The embayments at the Cheat Lake Park and Trail are good areas for bank anglers to catch sunfish and largemouth bass. The rock riprap on the lake side of the recreation area also holds lots of fish.

EASTERN PANHANDLE
South Branch and Cacapon Rivers

Flows in the stream and rivers throughout the eastern panhandle are slightly above normal flow and rising. Most streams are slightly milky due to the recent rains. Water temperatures are in the 30's and anglers are starting to catch some big winter time smallmouth bass with slow moving plastics in calm water areas. Several 3 to 4 pound smallmouth bass have been caught in the past week. Many smallmouth bass in the South Branch have been tagged as part of a fish movement and fish health study. If you catch a tagged fish, please clip off the tag and return it to DNR for a reward.

North Branch River

The flows in the North Branch are currently near 1500 cfs. Flows are nearly unfishable and are proposed to remain at this level for several more days. Flows in the North Branch can be monitored by watching the USGS stream gages or the Jennings Randolph website (www.nab.usace.army.mil/recreation/jenran/recinfo.htm).

Small Impoundments

Many small impoundments are in good fishable condition and bass and bluegill are in their winter pattern so try slow moving plastics and worms. Bass can be caught from the shore to about 15 feet of water. Some small impoundment may have holdover trout from the October trout stockings.

Jennings Randolph Lake

Jennings Randolph Lake is currently 32 feet below conservation pool and rising slowly. The boat ramp on the West Virginia side of the lake is now closed for the season. The ramp on the Maryland side will be open weather permitting. Anglers should focus on smallmouth by fishing with slow moving plastics and walleye near the head of lake.

Mt. Storm Lake

Bass fishing success in Mt. Storm has increased slightly over the past month. Lots of bass are gathering in the rip-rap areas near the dam of the lake. Anglers catch hybrid striped bass near the heated discharge of the power plant all winter long.

CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Water levels are high, clear with some frozen.

SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

The New and Greenbrier rivers are producing a few smallmouth bass using tube jigs. Best spots are just below a shoal or rapid or in eddies near the shore. Anglers may also want to try Kanawha Falls for walleye (use big chubs for bait) or lake anglers can find some excellent bass fishing at Plum Orchard Lake. Best baits are plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom, spinnerbaits are also good choices.

SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA

Lower Ohio and Kanawha rivers – Fishing is OK along the navigable rivers and their locks for multiple species (bass, drum, walleye, sauger, hybrids). But, fish slow and methodical due to colder fall/winter temperature levels.

Small Impoundments – No present fishing reports. With decreasing winter temperature levels, fishing for all species will be slow.

WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Anglers seeking bass after the hunt also have many choices of water to consider. Conaway Run Lake in Tyler County, North Bend, Tracy, and Pennsboro lakes in Ritchie County, Mountwood Lake in Wood County, Charles Fork Lake in Roane County, and Elk Fork, Woodrum, and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County all have excellent largemouth bass populations. Slowly fished bass lures are the baits of choice this time of the year.