Originally posted by: hillbillyangler on 2/14/2007 1:17:51 PM

Weekly Fishing Report -- Updated every Wednesday afternoon

February 14, 2007
FISHING

BEECH FORK – Lake is approximately ½ foot above winter pool. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-525-5092. Fishing is slow overall with a few reports of walleye and saugeye from anglers willing to brave the elements. During warmer days/periods the bite has been better for all other species as expected. Catfish and carp continue to bite for the shore or boat angler on the reservoir and at the tailrace. Trout stocking in the tailrace will begin in February.

BLUESTONE – Lake is at winter pool. Lake and tailwaters are cloudy. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-466-0156. During the 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. Some hybrid striped bass and striped bass may be caught using large chubs. 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 at winter pool, clear and frozen. Tailwaters will be stocked with trout sometime this month. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-853-2398.

EAST LYNN - Lake is at winter pool. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-849-9861. Fishing is slow but some reports of walleye and saugeye have come in. Hybrids, walleye, and saugeye all are move suited for “cooler” water temperature levels. Anglers should target these fish during the coming colder months to find success. Tips for anglers wishing to target bass include trying bait, fish habitat warmed by the sun, and try fishing after a number of warmer stable days. Catfish and carp continue to bite in the reservoir and in the tailwaters. Trout stocking in the tailrace will begin in February. Lick Creek Pond was stocked in January.

R.D. BAILEY – The lake is approximately one foot below winter pool. The lake and tailwaters are clear. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-664-9587.During winter, fish are still active but have a slower metabolism with the colder waters, so anglers should fish slowly and methodically. Spotted bass are hitting plastic jigs in crawfish colors. The spotted bass will be found along the rocky drops with points another good spot. Walleye are starting to be creeled by local anglers. Best places to try are along the shallow clay flats either early or late. As the year progresses, the walleye will be moving up the river to begin spawning. Best baits are jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers. With any warm, stable weather, fish may become more active. Try to pick a day that is bright and sunny which warms up areas of the lake, especially dark or mud banks. A few degrees can make a difference!

STONECOAL LAKE – The lake is at summer pool, clear and frozen.

STONEWALL JACKSON – The lake is at winter pool, clear and frozen. Trout still remain in the tailwaters, try powerbait and worms. Yellow perch and crappie are being caught on live bait. For more information contact Corps of Engineers at 304-269-7463.

SUMMERSVILLE – The lake is at winter pool, clear and frozen. Trout were stocked in the tailwaters on 2/12. Trout still remain downstream and if you are looking for a back country trout fishing experience hike down in and enjoy some great trout fishing. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-872-5809.

SUTTON – The lake is at winter pool, clear and frozen. The tailwaters are clear with a 32 degree outflow temperature. For daily information call Corps of Engineers at 304-765-2705.

TYGART LAKE - The lake is approximately 50 feet below the summer pool level but ice cover prevents fishing right now. The tailwater below the dam is the best place to fish for walleye in northern West Virginia. Walleye InSider magazine calls the Tygart tailwater one of the top ten in the country. The tailwater temperature is 36 degrees. Walleye will move through the dam during every high discharge until the end of March. Jigs with minnows are particularly good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs and deep-running crankbaits are also productive. 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 then 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) – During high water, walleye and sauger will be concentrated in the currents at lock and dam tailwaters and at creek mouths. The fish will be active throughout the day when the water is high. But during normal or low flows, walleye and sauger will start feeding about an hour before sunset and then throughout the night. Jigs with minnows are particularly good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs and deep-running crankbaits are also productive. Hybrid striped bass will also move in and out of the tailwaters and can be caught using large crankbaits, casting spoons or cut bait. Warm water discharges at power plants will attract fish all winter. Walleye InSider magazine lists the Hannibal tailwater as one of the top five in the country for walleye and sauger.

MONONGAHELA RIVER – Warm water discharges at the Rivesville and Morgantown power plants will attract fish all winter. A pier at the Morgantown plant makes fishing safe and convenient. Walleye and sauger move into the lock and dam tailwaters and also congregate at tributary creek mouths, especially Buffalo, Paw Paw, and Prickett creeks. Start fishing about an hour before sunset because sauger and walleye will begin feeding at dusk. Jigs with minnows are particularly good baits but 3-inch plastic grubs and deep-running crankbaits are also productive. Chartreuse is a good color. The shoreline from the Morgantown lock to the mouth of Deckers Creek is always a good place to fish from the shore.

CHEAT LAKE – Ice cover prevents fishing in the lake right now. The tailwater fishing pier is the only option for walleye, sauger and many other species. The pier is located entirely in West Virginia about 25 minutes from Morgantown, but you have to drive from, and park in, Pennsylvania to get there. Take U.S. Rt. 119 from Morgantown to Point Marion, PA. Turn right after crossing the Cheat River and proceed 4 miles to Cheat Dam. 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 http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Stocki...tock.shtm. 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. Lakes may be frozen, and anglers should use caution before venturing out upon frozen lakes. Ice does not form with uniform thickness on any body of water. Underwater springs or currents can wear thin spots on any body of water. Clear ice is the strongest. Ice formed by melted and refrozen snow appears milky, is very porous and very weak. Ice covered by snow should always be presumed unsafe. Four inches of ice will generally hold an average-sized person on foot. When lakes are not frozen small spinners, joe type flies, and trout magnets also work well.

Winter is an excellent time to fish Ohio River Tail-waters, and sauger fishing has been red hot this winter! Anglers fishing below the Belleville and Willow Island dams are catching sauger, walleye, and a few other species. Riggs using suspended minnows or lead headed jigs with twister tails (white or chartreuses), which are fished along the bottom, are the lure 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. Warm water discharges associated with industrial facilities hold fish in the winter along the Ohio River. Best bet for lures here include crank baits and rubber jigs. Expect to catch white bass, hybrid striped bass and a few other species at these hot spots.