Originally posted by: hillbillyangler on 1/25/2007 12:48:28 PM

Weekly Fishing Report -- Updated every Wednesday afternoon

January 24, 2007
FISHING

BEECH FORK – Lake is approximately six feet above winter pool due to recent rains. 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 and clear. Fishing is slow. Bass are in 10-15 feet of water. Try plastic baits and crank baits. A fair number of crappie have been picked up along the shoreline. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-853-2398.

EAST LYNN - Lake is approximately two feet above winter pool due to recent rains. 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 will be 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 and clear. Bass are in about 10-15 feet of water. Try plastic baits and crank baits. Crappie and bluegill have been caught on beaver huts and snags. A few walleye have also been picked up in the upper end. Fishing has been good for trout in the tailwaters. Try powerbait and trolling with spinners.

STONEWALL JACKSON – The lake is at winter pool and clear. Fishing is fair. Lake surface temperature is 40 degrees. Bass are in 10-15 feet of water. Panfish are active and are hanging around cover. A few crappie have been caught but fish have been hard to locate. Try a minnow and jig. 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 and clear. Fishing is slow. Bass are in about 10-15 feet of water. Outflow temperature is 42 degrees. Crappie and bluegill have also been caught along the shoreline. Walleye fishing on the lake should be productive throughout the winter months. Anglers fishing off points have been catching several walleye. Trout were stocked in the tailwaters by helicopter on 10/25. 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 and clear. Fishing is slow. Bass are in about 10-20 feet of water. Try plastic baits and live baits fished slowly. Bluegill fishing has slowed. Try live bait and micro-jigs. Crappie are also in to cover. Outflow temperature is 40 degrees. Powerbait and worms are working the best for trout. For daily information call Corps of Engineers at 304-765-2705.

TYGART LAKE - The lake is approximately 50 feet below the summer pool level. Winter anglers should concentrate on walleye, which will move into shallower water after dark to feed. Jigs with minnows or 3-inch twister tails are usually effective. Casting large Rapalas and Shad Raps along the shoreline after dark can also be productive. Bank anglers should start fishing about one hour before dark. Boat anglers should fish deeper water throughout the day. Walleye fishing success is usually better on windy days because light penetration is reduced.

The tailwater temperature is 37 degrees. Walleye will move through the dam during every high discharge until the end of March. 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) – During normal 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 or casting spoons. Warm water discharges at power plants will attract fish all winter. Sauger and hybrid striped bass will also congregate around the mouths of tributaries.

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 – You can catch channel catfish or yellow perch all winter. Don’t let the winter weather keep you from bank fishing anywhere around the lake, but particularly at the Cheat Lake Park. Channel catfish are doing well and 2- to 3-pounders are abundant throughout the lake. The boat ramp at the Cheat Lake Park near the dam provides reliable boat access at all lake levels during the winter. This is the best lake in West Virginia for yellow perch and fishing from boats will be productive all winter. Fish for perch in 10- to 15- feet of water using minnows or a piece of nightcrawlers and a couple of split shot. The limit for yellow perch is 15 per fish.

Try the tailwater fishing pier for walleye, sauger, and many other species. Start fishing at dark. 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 I elevation on the Cheat Lake website at http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Stocki...tock.shtm. This information is updated daily at 4:00 p.m., 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. If lakes are frozen, please use caution before venturing out upon the ice!

Winter is an excellent time to fish Ohio River tailwaters. Anglers fishing below the Belleville and Willow Island dams are catching sauger, walleye 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. When the river is running high and muddy, 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 unusually slow. Warmwater discharges associated with industrial facilities hold fish in the winter along the Ohio River. Best bet for lures here include crankbaits and rubber jigs. Expect to catch white bass, hybrid striped bass and a few other species at these hot spots.

Winter 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 Lake in Roane County, North Bend Lake in Ritchie County, and Elk Fork and O’Brien lakes in Jackson County.

Musky streams are not expected to be fishable this weekend.