Originally posted by: hillbillyangler on 1/18/2007 1:47:09 PM

Weekly Fishing Report -- Updated every Wednesday afternoon

January 17, 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 six feet above 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.

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 crank baits. 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 40 to 50 feet below the summer pool level and turbid. 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 41 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) – Warm water discharges at power plants will be productive all winter, particularly for hybrid striped bass. Walleye and sauger will move into the moving water at lock and dam tailwaters, and also concentrate at creek mouths. During higher flows, the fish will be active throughout the day. 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 and casting spoons.

MONONGAHELA RIVER – Fish are attractive to the warm water discharges at the Rivesville and Morgantown power plants. A pier at the Morgantown plant makes fishing safe and convenient. Walleye and sauger will move in and out of the tailwater areas, and also concentrate 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. The shoreline from the Morgantown lock to the mouth of Deckers Creek is always a good place to fish from the shore. Fish are also concentrated in the calm water below the lock on the Westover side of the river, particularly during higher water.

CHEAT LAKE – Starting on January 1, a 15-fish per day creel limit for yellow perch was effective. Winter anglers should target channel catfish and yellow perch. Channel catfish are abundant throughout the lake and can be caught in 20-40 feet of water by shoreline anglers using nightcrawlers at the Cheat Lake Park. Larger yellow perch are being caught by boat anglers around the I-68 bridge using minnows or worms with a couple of split shot fished 10-15 feet on the bottom. Largemouth bass and sunfish can be caught in the embayments by the Cheat Lake Park. Walleye will move into shallow water at night to feed. The winter ramp at Cheat Lake Park is now open. The Sunset Beach ramp is usable when the lake level is above 865-feet but could become inaccessible if the level drops while you are on the water. Accurate hourly lake and stream flows are available on the WV DNR website: 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. When lakes are not frozen small spinners, joe type flies, and trout magnets also work well.

The Ohio River and tailwaters are not expected to be fishable by this weekend.

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.

Area musky streams are not expected to be fishable by this weekend.