West Virginia Stream Conditions

Weekly Fishing Report -- Updated every Wednesday afternoon

August 20, 2008

FISHING

BEECH FORK – The reservoir is close to summer pool and murky. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-525-5092. Bass have been recently caught using Carolina rigged worms, flukes, crankbaits, and shad imitating lures (match the size). Anglers are finding success early and late in the day using small lures.

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

BURNSVILLE – The lake is at summer pool and milky. Water temperatures are in the 80’s and fishing is good. Bass are in about 10 feet of water and moving in and out of shallow water. Try fishing in the evenings as the sun goes down or early mornings for the best action. Crappie have been hitting minnows around fish attractors. Catfish have been caught on live bait in the evenings. The tailwaters have been great for trout and other fish. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-853-2398.

EAST LYNN – The reservoir is at summer pool with a surface temperature of 80 degrees. Both the outflow and the reservoir are clear. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-849-9861. Bass and panfish fishing are both improving with some nice bass being boated recently by individual anglers and during tournaments. Anglers are finding success early and late in the day using small lures.

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

STONECOAL LAKE – The lake is approximately three feet below summer pool and cloudy.  Water temperatures are in the 80’s and fishing is good. Bass are in about 10 feet of water. Try fishing in the evenings as the sun goes down or early morning for the best action. Crappie and bluegill are hitting minnows around fish attractors. Reports of some nice channel catfish being caught in the evenings. A few trout have also been caught.

STONEWALL JACKSON – The lake is approximately one foot below summer pool and cloudy. Water temperatures are in the 80’s and fishing is good. Bass are in about 10 feet of water and moving in and out of shallow water. Try fishing in the evenings as the sun goes down or early mornings for the best action. Crappie and bluegill have been hitting live bait and jigs. Catfish have been caught on live bait in the evenings. The tailwaters have been great for trout and other fish. For more information contact Corps of Engineers at 304-269-7463.

SUMMERSVILLE – The lake is at summer pool, clear and fishing has been good. For bass try 10-15 feet of water around rock points as well as the Battle Run area. Walleye have also been caught off of rock points and shallow areas in the McKee Creek arm of the lake. Outflow temperature is 78 degrees. Try fishing in the evenings as the sun goes down or early mornings for the best action. The tailwaters were stocked with brood trout on 8/07. If you are looking for a back country trout fishing experience hike down in and enjoy. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-872-5809.

SUTTON – The lake is at summer pool and clear. Water temperatures are in the 70’s and fishing is good.  Bass have been in 5 -10 feet of water. Try fishing in the evenings as the sun goes down or early mornings for the best action. Crappie have been hitting minnows around beaver huts and blown down trees. The tailwaters have been good for trout. For daily information call Corps of Engineers at 304-765-2705.

TYGART LAKE – The lake level is approximately three feet below the summer pool level. The water temperature is 81 degrees from 5 to 10 feet, 78 at 25 feet, 73 at 50 feet and 70 degrees at 100 feet. White bass feed on minnows at dawn on the surface and can be seen breaking water in the coves. Spinners, crankbaits, and casting spoons are good baits for white bass. Fish the shoreline using crankbaits or tube jigs for largemouth o smallmouth bass. Walleye will be scattered throughout the lake and could be at any depth during the day. Start fishing for walleye at dark when they move into shallow water to feed. Walk the shoreline and cast large rapalas or 3-inch plastic grubs.

There are logs of walleye and trout in the tailwaters. The tailwater temperature is 70 degrees. Walleye fishing is best during higher flows (1,500 to 5,000 cubic feet per second) and trout fishing is best at low flows (less than 1,000 cubic feet per second). Call the Corps of Engineers telephone hotline at 304-265-5953 for daily lake and tailwater conditions.

NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

OHIO RIVER (New Cumberland, Pike Island, and Hannibal pools and tailwaters): Fishing in all he tailwaters is very good. These are the best areas on the river to fish since most species of fish will be concentrated in these areas. The most convenient tailwater area is the Hannibal Lock and Dam tailwater at New Martinsville. Picnic and restroom facilities make this a good place to bring the family. Channel catfish are being caught using chicken liver throughout the day and night. Hybrid striped bass will also move in and out of the tailwaters and can be caught using large crank bats or chicken liver. Look for hybrids breaking the water on the surface as they chase bait fish. Walleye and sauger will start feeding about an hour before sunset and then throughout the night. Jigs with minnows are particularly good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs will also be productive. White or chartreuse are good colors.

MONONGAHELA RIVER – The water temperature is 78 to 80 degrees. Fishing has been good for all species below the Morgantown Dam. Most species are attracted to the currents in the tailwaters of the locks and dams. Channel catfish can be caught on the Morgantown or Westover side of the dam using chicken liver or prepared stink baits. Start fishing for sauger and walleye about an hour before sunset because they will begin feeding at dusk. Jigs with minnows or worms are particularly good baits but 30inch plastic grubs will also be productive. White or chartreuse are good colors.  Large drum and carp are common along the shoreline between Deckers Creek and the dam. Warm water discharges at the Rivesville and Morgantown power plants are still attracting fish. A pier at the Morgantown plant makes fishing safe and convenient. This is also good area for channel catfish and carp. The discharge at the sewage treatment plant below the Star City Bridge also attracts lots of fish, particularly carp. Largemouth bass anglers should fish the weed beds along the shoreline between Star City and the state line.

CHEAT LAKE –  Fishing is good throughout the lake. Largemouth bass are being caught off the shoreline in 15 feet of water using tube jigs. Channel catfish are doing well and 2 to 3 pounders are abundant, particularly in the area from Mt. Chateau upstream. The embayments at the Cheat Lake Park and Trail are good areas for bank anglers to catch sunfish and largemouth bass. Fish for yellow perch in 10 to 15 feet along any shoreline using a piece of a nightcrawler and several split shot. Large sunfish are abundant along the shoreline across from the Sunset Beach cove up to the I-68 bridge.

Try the tailwater fishing pier for walleye and sauger. Jigs with minnows or 3-inch power grubs are the best baits. White or chartreuse are good colors. Start fishing at dark when sauger and walleye begin feeding. The pier is located entirely in West Virginia about 25 minutes from Morgantown. Take US Rt. 119 from Morgantown to Point Marion, PA, turn right after crossing the cheat River and proceed four mile to Cheat Dam. The parking lot is in Pennsylvania but the entire pier is in West Virginia. The pier is lighted for night fishing and is handicapped accessible.   Keep track of the lake elevation and predicted daily changes in elevation on the Cheat Lake website at www.cheatlaketoday.com.

EASTERN PANHANDLE

South Branch and Cacapon Rivers

Flows in streams and rivers are near normal flow for this time of year and the water is clear. Although flows are near normal in the South Branch, you will likely drag at the downstream end on some pools when boating. Streams in the upper watershed including the North Fork and the Smoke Hole section of the South Branch are very low right now. Water temperatures are in the mid 70’s and smallmouth bass are hitting top-water lures and a variety of plastics. Smallmouth get easily spooked in clear water conditions so stay as far away from the location you are casting as possible. Angles have been catching lots of nice channel catfish in the larger pools of the South Branch. Lots of nice smallmouth and channel catfish have been observed on the Shenandoah River at the head of the pools. Channel catfish move into these riffle areas just before dark.

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.

Some areas are receiving summer brood trout stockings so watch the trout stocking report online at http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Stockng/DailStock.shtm or by calling the hunting and fishing hotline at 304-558-3399. The 2008 fishing regulations include the trout stocking schedule. Hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased online at https://www.wvhunt.com/wizard/hfw000.asp and digital copies of the hunting and fishing regulations are also available online.

North Branch River

The flows in the North Branch are currently near 300 cfs and in great fishing condition. This is a great opportunity to do some summer trout fishing. The North Branch was stocked with surplus brood fish this week but anglers have been catching fish in the 4 to 6 pound range on flies prior to the stocking. Flows in the North Branch can be monitored by watching the USGS stream gages or the Jennings Randolph website at www.nab.usace.army.mil/recreation/jenran/recinfo.htm.

Small Impoundments

Small impoundments are in good fishable condition and anglers are catching lots of bass and bluegill. Angles are catching lots of bass on top water lures and bluegill on worms. Bass can be caught from the shore to about 10 feet of water. Channel catfish can also be caught from most small impoundments all summer long. Some angles are still catching holdover trout. Remember not to fish to deep since many small impoundments may have summertime oxygen depletion in deep water areas.

Jennings Randolph Lake

Jennings Randolph Lake is currently 12 feet below conservation pool and dropping slowly. The boat launches on both the West Virginia and Maryland side of the lake are now open. Some angles have been doing well fishing for walleye near the head of the lake. If you purchased a seasonal pass for either ramp, don’t forget the pass is valid for both ramps. This is a great time to target trout and smallmouth bass. Jennings Randolph Lake has a new dedicated phone line for up-to-date recreational information 304-558-3980. Recreational information can also be found at www.nab.usace.army.mil/recreation/jenran/recinfo.htm.

Mt. Storm Lake

Bass fishing in Mt. Storm has been slow and recent tournaments have not done very well. Anglers are still catching hybrid striped bass with chicken liver. You will need to fish off the bottom to prevent small channel catfish from stealing your bait.

CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

Water levels are normal and clear. It is a great time of year to introduce a child to fishing. Try using worms at a local pond or stream for bluegill and remember to have fun. A state record yellow perch was caught last week in Upshur County by a 12 year old in a farm pond. You just don’t know what you will catch? Go out and make a memory that lasts a lifetime. Check the DNR webpage for statewide trout stockings and updated fishing information (www.wvdnr.gov).

SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

The New and Greenbrier rivers are providing some good fishing for smallmouth bass. Anglers should try white/chatreuse buzzbaits, white plastic grubs, or small crankbaits or live bait such as hellgrammites or softshell crayfish. Spots below or above shoals are good spots to try. Fishing is best early and late or on cloudy days 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 liver or softshells.  This is a prime time to take a child fishing!  There is no better way to introduce a child or novice to fishing than to take them out for an evening of carp fishing. Try chumming with creamed corn upstream of where you are fishing and use shredded wheat doughball or whole kernel corn for bait. Make sue your rods are anchored down with a rock or a cap may take it!!! Good spots to catch a carp are Bluestone and R.D. Bailey lakes, New River and Kanawha River.

SOUTHWESTERN WEST VIRGINIA

Lower Ohio and Kanawha rivers – Fishing is good along the navigable rivers and their locks. Beat the heat by fishing late or early, or at night. Check locations visually or check online for flow levels http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt prior to fishing rather than wasting a trip. Catfish are biting with reports of channel cats and flatheads from many locations on both rivers. Summer is also a great time to try for bowfin in the Ohio/Kanawha River backwater areas such as those found at Green Bottom, WMA. Many likely areas flood during the winter, etc. and are cut-off from the main river during summer low flows. Using bass tackle, cast bass lures and bait to structure and along weed edges. Other hotspots include backwater areas of major tributaries and/or embayments of the Ohio/Kanawha.

Guyandotte and Coal rivers – Recent reports of hybrids and bass caught near the upper and lower falls using rattle traps and bait. Catfish anglers are also having luck using various baits. Anglers finding success on multiple species during float trips on the Coal.

Poca River – Reports of bass and an occasional muskie.

Elk River – Reports of bass and muskie when the water has been at a favorable level.

Mud River – A few reports of bass, catfish and muskie caught recently.

Small Impoundments – Try your favorite lures and bait for bass and bluegill. For catfish, try chicken liver, hot dogs, bubble gum and even soap! Shelled shrimp available at any grocery store is also a good choice as is a “gob” of nightcrawlers fished on the bottom. Take a kid or someone new to fishing out during a warmer day and let theme experience the fun as well!!

Reservoirs –  Check the USACOE website (http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/) and the USGS website (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt) for reservoir and tailrace conditions.  

Fishing in area reservoirs is good.  Due to rising water temperature levels and intense heat and light during the day, concentrate your efforts for greater success early, late and during nighttime excursions for all gamefish.  Try for catfish and carp by using basic river rigs for terminal tackle. Catfish are biting on gobs of nightcrawlers, liver, cut bait, and live bait, with carp being caught on wheatie balls and other ‘family secret’ recipes of dough bait.

Rivers and Streams – Check the USGS website (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt) for river/stream conditions and check local landings visually before wasting a trip. Most streams and rivers are currently low. Beat the heat by concentrating your efforts during low light and cooler periods this time of year for success with all species.

WEST-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA

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

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

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

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

Local musky streams should be fishable this weekend. Summer musky angles use large crankbaits or jerkbaits and best spots are usually around fallen trees or riffle areas. Fishing has been quite good this year for musky along Middle Island Creek, Little Kanawha River and on the Hughes River and it’s forks.