Originally posted by: hillbillyangler on 4/5/2007 10:00:21 AM

BEECH FORK – Lake is approximately one foot above winter pool. For more information call the Corps of Engineers recorded message at 304-525-5092. Fishing is very slow overall with minimal 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. Also check the “Reservoirs” section below for SW WV for further information. Trout were stocked recently in the Beech Fork tailwaters. Be patient, fish slow, and try a variety of baits (wigglers, crawlers, minnows) and prepared baits (powerbait, salmon eggs) to catch early spring trout. Spinners and other lures will become effective as water temperatures rise.

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. Fish are preparing to spawn as the water warms in the next few weeks. Crappie will be showing up in early April on brush piles, flooded timber or downed trees where they will spawn. Right now, the crappie should be schooled in deeper water off of drops offs, often in the vicinity of where they will be spawning later on. They may hit small minnows or doll flies. Bass may be caught off rocky points and around downed trees using live baits and artificials such as spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Anglers should look for points that have some cover such as stumps, logs, or weed beds. Try slow rolling a spinnerbaits, bumping off the stumps. Some hybrid striped bass may be caught using large minnows. Anglers should try spots such as the mouth of Indian Creek or up the bluestone Arm as these fish, even though mostly infertile, still make mock spawning runs upstream. Smallmouth bass are being caught in the tailwaters. Successful anglers are using tube jigs in pumpkinseed or motoroil colors. Anglers should be careful wading and wear your personal devices.

BURNSVILLE – The lake is at winter pool and clear. Fishing has been good this week. Fishing is picking up for bass as they move up to shallow water. Crappie have been hitting minnows around fish attractors. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 2. 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. Hybrids, walleye and saugeye all are more suited for “cooler” water temperature levels. Anglers should target these fish during the next few 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 warm stable days. Also check the “Reservoirs” section below for SW WV for further information. Trout were stocked recently in the East Lynn tailwaters and Lick Creek Pond. Be patient, fish slow and try a variety of baits (wigglers, crawlers, minnows) and prepared baits (powerbait, salmon eggs) to catch early spring trout. Spinners and other lures will become effective as water temperatures rise.

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. With waters warming up, fish are becoming more and more active as they feed in preparation for the upcoming spawning. Crappie are congregating near the habitats where they spawn such as around standing timber and brush piles and they will hit small minnows. For artificials, use doll flies in white and yellow. Spotted bass are hitting plastic jigs in crawfish colors. The spotted bass will be found along the rocky drops with points with downed trees another good spot to try. Hybrid striped bass will be making a mock spawning run up stream in April and May so anglers may want to concentrate their efforts in the upper lake. The trout stocked in the tailwaters are providing good fishing. Best baits are corn, salmon eggs and small jigs.

STONECOAL LAKE – The lake is approximately three feet below summer pool, clear and fishing has been good. All fish seem to be on the move. Bass have been caught in shallow water. Crappie and bluegill are hitting minnows around fish attractors. Reports of trout being caught this week as well.

STONEWALL JACKSON – The lake is at summer pool, clear and fishing has been great. Bass are moving up into shallow water. Crappie have been hitting minnows around beaver huts. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 2, 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 approximately six feet above winter pool, clear and fishing has been good. Fishing is picking up for bass as they move up to shallow water. Walleye are also becoming active in the upper end of the lake. Trout were stocked in the tailwaters March 20. Trout also 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 approximately 15 feet below summer pool. Fishing is good. Bass are moving up into shallow water. Crappie have been hitting minnows around beaver huts and blown down trees. The tailwaters are clear with a 56 degree outflow temperature. The tailwaters were stocked with trout on April 2. For daily information call Corps of Engineers at 304-765-2705.

TYGART LAKE - The lake is at summer level. Walleye are spawning and will continue for 2 more weeks. Spawning occurs after midnight in shallow water along the shoreline. Casting larger rapalas-type shallow-running minnows along the shoreline after dark can be successful at this time of year. White bass will be concentrated near the head of the lake and can provide impressive fishing opportunities. Walleye may also be caught near the head of the lake.

The tailwater temperature is 47 degrees. Walleye have been moving through the dam into the tailwater during the recent high flows (above 5,000 cfs) and are concentrated in large numbers for the next few months. 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) – Water levels are returning to normal after several weekends of high water. Warm water discharges at power plants will be productive all spring, particularly for hybrid striped bass and white bass. Walleye and sauger are still spawning. S pawning will occur in the upper half of the pools. 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 tributary mouths and can be caught while using crankbaits and jigs with plastic grubs.

MONONGAHELA RIVER – River conditions are normal after last week’s muddy water. The water temperature is 56 degrees. White bass and hybrid striped bass will be attracted 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 are in the middle of spawning and will move in and out of the tailwater areas and tributary creek mouths, especially Buffalo, Paw Paw and Prickett creeks. Lots of sauger and walleye were caught around the Morgantown tailwater during a tournament two weeks ago. 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. During high water, fish will be concentrated along the Westover shoreline just below the lock wall.

CHEAT LAKE – The water temperature is 50 to 55 degrees. Anglers should now be concentrating on yellow perch and also looking for walleye and channel catfish. Minnows fished on a 1/8 ounce jig in 10-to25 feet of water will catch yellow perch. Boats can be launched at any water level at the winter ramp at the Cheat Lake Park. Shoreline fishing will be best at the Park along the riprap on the lake side for channel catfish and yellow perch. Fish in the embayments for large sunfish and largemouth bass.

Try the tailwater fishing pier for walleye, sauger, and white bass. Minnows are the best bait. Start fishing at dark when sauger and walleye begin feeding. 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.

EASTERN PANHANDLE

South Branch and Cacapon Rivers

Flows in local streams are normal for this time of year and in good fishable condition. Anglers are catching smallmouth on slow moving plastics and a number of fish are in the three pound range. Many streams are receiving weekly trout stockings. Check the 2007 fishing regulations or our website 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. Small spinners, joe type flies, and trout magnets also work well, for anglers casting the shoreline or fishing from boats. Trolling these small lures is also affective.

This 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. Clever anglers are tipping their jig hooks with minnows. Fishing for white bass can be quite good this time of year and medium-sized white spinners work well. Crappie can also be found in the Ohio River tailwaters. These fish are generally suspended and jigs should be counted-down to find the correct depth to fish. Best spots to fish these areas include eddies and back current sections, and anywhere that river flows are unusual.

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

Musky streams may be fishable this weekend, and muskies are quite active. Hot spots this time of year include areas both upstream and down stream of fast moving water. Musky anglers should try medium to large lures. Middle Island Creek, the major streams in the Hughes River system, and the Little Kanawha River are good area musky waters. Those interested in trying their luck with muskies in a lake should try the upper end of North Bend Lake.