Fishing Report

Potomac River Tide Information Twilight
High Point, Occoquan River Hours
Day Date High Low High Low A.M. P.M.
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Wednesday 3/26 2323 0432 1027 1732 0635 1953
Thursday 3/27 - - - 0510 1104 1813 0633 1954
Friday 3/28 0013 0553 1147 1900 0632 1955
Saturday 3/29 0110 0643 1240 1952 0630 1956
Sunday 3/30 0211 0740 1345 2049 0628 1957
Monday 3/31 0309 0842 1457 2146 0627 1958
Tuesday 4/01 0359 0949 1601 2239 0625 1959
Wednesday 4/02 0443 1054 1654 2328 0624 2000
Thursday 4/03 0522 1154 1742 - - - 0622 2001
Friday 4/04 0601 1248 1827 0014 0621 2002
Saturday 4/05 0640 1340 1911 0058 0619 2003
Sunday 4/06 0721 1430 1956 0142 0617 2004
POTOMAC RIVER - D.C. - With the warmer weather forecast for this week, bass
that had backed off their traditional spawning areas, should be moving back up
and preparing for the spawn. Lots of fish are being caught, and the action
should only get better. Better baits include red or chartreuse rattling
crankbaits, Silver Buddies, jig 'n pig or plastic grubs. At Fletcher's
Boathouse, white perch are showing good, along with some herring and shad.
Channel catfish will be available to bottom fishermen, as will striped bass.
Stripers and shad must be returned to the water, as the season is closed. As
the temperature warms and more herring show in the river, the larger catfish
will turn on. Smallmouth bass are being caught on deep-diving crankbaits along
the Virginia Shoreline from Key to Chain Bridge. Some large crappie are being
caught in Fletcher's Cove by anglers fishing smelt in the brushpiles.
POTOMAC RIVER - BELOW WOODROW WILSON BRIDGE - Largemouth bass are taking
plastic grubs and worms, live bait, and Silver Buddies during the early and
middle part of the day. As the sun warms the water, crankbaits come into
their own, with small shallow running baits taking the preponderance of the
fish. The better areas are shallow flats adjacent to dropoffs. Most of the
active fish are in the shallows, returning to the deeper water when through
feeding. Main river vegetation is also holding lots of bass. The mouth of
Aquia Creek is loaded with fish seeking bedding areas, while Potomac Creek is
also showing a few roaming bass. Plastic grubs, tube lures and Zoom lizards
are a good choice for lures. Where the grass is found in deeper water, try a
slow-rolled, willow leaf spinnerbait for larger fish. Most of the bass are
averaging 2-5 pounds in the grass. Lower creeks are full of perch. Small
twister tail grubs and spinners are taking large numbers of these tasty fish.
A few pickerel are reported in Nanjemoy Creek. Catfish are active in the creek
channels, feeding on white perch and herring. Remember that a 15 inch minimum
size limit is in effect for largemouth bass in the river and all tributaries
until June 15.
OCCOQUAN RIVER - A few herring showed in the river this past week. Many more
should show this week with the anticipated 55-65 degree days. Bass had pulled
back into deeper water, but should once again be up shallow, feeding and
looking for nesting sites. Crappie are biting well around the boat docks and
catfish are biting well in the river channel. Fish small shad darts in the
back end near the rocks for shad and don't be surprised at what you catch.
Just about any fish in the river will take these lures. Crappie are to be
found in flooded brush, or suspended over deeper water, adjacent to structure,
and may be taken on small jigs or live minnows. White perch may be taken on
bottom rigs with nightcrawlers or live minnows, tiny Hopkins spoons or very
small grubs. Largemouth bass are prowling the shallows, adjacent to deeper
water in late evenings, after the sun has warmed the water a little. Slow-
rolled spinnerbaits, small shad colored crankbaits and small plastic baits are
taking good sized fish. Channel catfish are biting well on cut herring or clam
snouts.
OCCOQUAN RESERVOIR - Bass are being caught by anglers fishing main lake coves
with jig 'n pig and slow-rolled spinnerbaits. The bucks are up on the flats
in the back of the shallow coves, while the females are hanging just off the
flats in a little deeper water. Crappie have moved into the coves with brush
and standing timber. Most of the good fish are being caught in 8-10 feet of
water on live minnows and tiny jigs. Catfish action is fair, needing higher
water temperatures to turn on good.
BURKE LAKE - Bass action is fair to good, with good fish being taken on
crankbaits, buzzbaits and plastic lures, fished in the shallow
coves on the north side of the lake, adjacent to deeper water. Some walleye
are being caught along the base of the dam on plastic grub or minnow-tipped
jigheads, bounced slowly along the bottom. The walleye are scattered due to
spawning. An occasional muskie is caught by anglers trolling large Believers
or spinners. Some crappie, but sizes are small.
LAKE MANASSAS - The political controversey continues on this tremendous
fishing lake, with the inevitable closure of the lake to anglers. It appears
that once again this year, the City of Manassas is going to continue their
ironclad stand rather than trying to reach an agreement. This attitude serves
only to reinforce the widely held opinion that politicians care only about
their own agenda. What their constituents want does not matter at all.
LAKE CURTIS - Surprisingly good action in this small lake. Bass, to six
pounds, are being taken on suspending jerk baits in shallow coves on the North
side of the lake. Catfish are also suckers for the jerk baits, but they are
located near the rip-rap and adjacent to the old creek channel.
FARM PONDS - These small bodies of water are prime for big bass and crappie
fishing. Topwater lures, small crankbaits and plastic worms will take good
numbers of bass, including some large fish. Crappie and bluegill will take
small minnows, tiny jigs and spinners.
POTOMAC RIVER - UPPER - The river is high and muddy, but some smallmouth bass
were caught this past weekend, primarily on tiny crankbaits, such as the Bill
Norman Tiny Deep "N". The vegetation beds along the banks are some of the
better places to try at this time of year, as the bass are invading these
patches to feed on the small minnows clustered there. Catfish action is good,
with the whiskered fish taking cut bait, nightcrawlers, clam snouts and
bloodworms. Carp are hitting almost anything put in front of them.
RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER - Lots of big blue catfish are being caught, up to 35
pounds. Hickory shad and herring are in evidence throughout the river, along
with a few white shad. A few fish should be caught from the Route 1 bridge
area this weekend, by waders with flyrods and light spinning gear. Tidal water
bass and stripers are also taking small shad-colored crankbaits and plastic
grubs and worms, fished in and around the blowdowns below the city. Smallmouth
anglers are catching smallmouth bass on large minnows.
SHENANDOAH RIVER - Smallmouth bass are taking live minnows. Flyrodders are
taking some bass and bluegills on nymphs and wooly worms. Crappie anglers are
taking fish on live minnows. Catfish action is excellent, with many fish in
the 12 pound class.
MATTAPONI/PAMUNKEY RIVERS - The white perch run is in full swing, along with
some yellow perch that are still being caught. Some herring, a few shad, and
plenty of catfish rounded out the catches. The headwaters of the rivers are
producing some decent catches of bass and pickerel. Stripers are available
throughout the rivers.
LAKE ANNA - Anglers will find 2-8 pound largemouth bass consistently hitting
suspending crankbaits and jerkbaits, or gold, willow leaf spinnerbaits, worked
in shallow water. Main lake coves are the better producing spots downlake,
while the areas around willow grass beds are the better choices uplake.
Crankbaits cast into 3-6 feet of water are also taking good fish. Crappie are
congregated around beaver huts, bridges and submerged fish structures. Channel
catfish are taking cut fish or shrimp baits aggressively. Striper fishing is
inconsistent, with most of the fish being taken uplake, as the fish are
staging their false spawning run. Best baits are chartreuse Sassy Shads, Storm
swim baits and living rubber bucktails.
JAMES RIVER - Below the city, around the 95 bridge, some white perch are being
caught on bloodworms. Catfish, some very large, are taking cut herring in the
outside channel bends of the main river. Striped bass are taking Rat-L-Traps
and crankbaits, as they start their spawning run. Sassy Shads and grubs are the
ticket for smallmouth bass, while cut bait and nightcrawlers are tempting the
bream and catfish. Largemouth bass are moving into the shallows, staging for
the spawn. Shallow sand or gravel banks, adjacent to deeper water is the
proper place to find these fish. Best choice of baits is plastic grubs and
slow-rolled spinnerbaits.
LAKE CHESDIN - Bass fishing has been excellent for 2-8 pound fish along sunny
banks with submerged grass beds. Preferred baits include spinnerbaits,
rattling crankbaits and jigs. Main lake points with stump fields are also
producing well. Crappie are being caught on blowdowns in coves and creeks,
around brushpiles, in 5-12 feet of water. Catfish, in the three pound class,
are being caught throughout the lake.
CHICKAHOMINY RIVER - Bass action is good, with the better fish holding on
dropoffs and points, where tidal action is swift. Small plastic grubs or worms
and jig 'n pig baits are the ticket, allowing them to be swept along the
bottom by the tide. Deep diving crankbaits are also taking some fish off
points and dropoffs with cover available. Yellow perch are thick in the river,
taking small crankbaits, spinners and plastic grubs. Catfish are active, with
fish to 30 pounds being taken this past week. Herring and shad are taking
small shad darts and small spoons. White perch are biting well throughout the
river.
CHICKAHOMINY LAKE - Bream are beginning to hit, particularly on flyrod bugs,
fished slowly. Bass and pickerel fishing is generally good, with minnows being
the better choice for bait, although some fish are taking Rat-L-Traps and
spinnerbaits, fished in the lily pads, near deeper water. Some large bass are
taking buzzbaits, fished over the grass. Bowfin action is excellent, with many
fish in the eight pound class. Crappie anglers are concentrating on the cypress
knees with small minnows and tiny crappie jigs.
LITTLE CREEK RESERVOIR - The lake is almost at full pool and stained. Water
temp is at 56 degrees. Fishing is excellent. Bass and pickerel are found in 2-
12 feet of water, on points, and biting well, with best results coming on
rattling crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jig 'n pig. Crappie and yellow perch are
holding in 6-8 feet of water, just off bedding areas. Better baits are minnows
and curly tailed jigs.
BACK BAY - Good fishing for white perch, catfish, crappie and bass. Most of
the action is taking place in Hellespoint Creek, West Neck Creek, Pocaty Creek
and around Knott's Island. When the winds allow, anglers are taking some good
bass from the outside edges of the grassbeds at the south end of the Bay.
Spinnerbaits are the preferred bait. Catfish action is excellent throughout
the bay.
SUFFOLK LAKES - Bass action is excellent, with Lakes Western Branch, Prince,
Burnt Mills and Cohoon producing good numbers of bass over five pounds this
past week. Stripers are also biting well in Prince, with best results coming
on minnows. Crappie are available in all the lakes and shellcracker are
beginning to bite in Burnt Mills and Prince. Walleye are the chief quarry in
Lake Whitehurst, with some fish over five pounds being caught on live minnows.
LAKE GASTON - Largemouth bass are biting well. Look for the warmest water and
throw spinnerbaits into the shallows. Retrieve the lures at medium or fast
speeds and you should catch fish. The weekend should have the upper and lower
creeks lightly stained and the main lake clear. Rattling crankbaits should
also work well. A good number of nice fish are being taken on Carolina rigged
lizards, fished in the creek channels in the backs of the creeks. Pickerel are
hitting shad colored crankbaits off the willow grass beds in the creeks.
Crappie fishing is good, with most of the better catches being made around
brushpiles and bridge pilings. Striper fishing is off slightly, but fish are
still being caught on live shad. Stripers are actively feeding below Kerr Dam
on bucktails, jigs and flat plugs. Below the Roanoke Rapids Bridge, stripers
are also being caught in the N.C. tidal waters of the Roanoke River, but the
action is strictly catch and release, as the season is closed.
BUGGS ISLAND LAKE - Some good catches of bass are being made on main lake
points on jig 'n pig, slow-rolled spinnerbaits and rattling crankbaits. Bass
are also being caught by anglers fishing the willows on main lake points with
black/blue jig 'n pig, chartreuse spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps. The lunker
pattern is to fish rip-rap with spinnerbaits. Lots of shad are present in the
shallow water around the rocks and trophy largemouth are up after them. With
the water level at the 304 mark, some good bass are hunkered down in the
bushes. Flippin' jig 'n pig or plastic baits will get them out. Don't neglect
jerk baits, fished parallel to the bushes early and late in the day. Stripers
are being caught from buoys 2-8, trolling deep diving Cordell Redfins.
Stripers are also being caught at Palmers Point, Keats, Eastland and Butchers
Creeks on live bait and bottom fishing with cut shad. Crappie anglers are
taking coolers of good sized crappie from brushpiles in 6-10 feet of water on
small minnows and tiny jigs. Below Kerr Dam, anglers are catching walleye on
small bucktails and Rat-L-Traps.
BRIERY CREEK LAKE - A bunch of large bass are being caught, with a couple over
the eight pound mark being caught last week. The larger bass were taken on
live minnows and jig 'n pig. Plenty of 2-4 pound catfish are caught on chicken
livers, as well as a number of large bream on nightcrawlers. Crappie and
pickerel are also doing well.
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE - Largemouth bass fishing is good to excellent, with a
number of fish weighing over five pounds being caught last week. Small jigs,
and pumpkin, blue-flash or smoke colored, four inch plastic worms are the
better choice for lures. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are also taking some
fish. Fish the rocky areas in the backs of the creeks and coves. Small
stripers are being taken between the islands at the lower end of the lake in
shallow water. Stripers are also active on the points in Craddock and Witcher
Creeks. Fish bucktails in 2-8 feet of water and live shad or alewives at 15
feet. Crappie are biting well on live minnows.
LEESVILLE RESERVOIR - Big stripers are coming from the lake and from below the
dam. Redfins are the preferred bait for the stripers, while live minnows,
jigs, grubs and rattling crankbaits are taking the other species. Some large
walleye are being taken by anglers targeting these fish.
LAKE MOOMAW - Some nice trout are being caught, but smallmouth and largemouth
bass fishing is good, with best action being in the upper end of the lake. A
few northern pike are being caught, and yellow perch and crappie biting well.
PHILPOTT LAKE - Varied catches from the lake. Minnows and jigs are taking
largemouth and smallmouth bass, with some of the fish exceeding five pounds.
Occasional large bass are taking topwater baits. Brown trout are taken on Shad
Raps and nightcrawlers. Small minnows are taking crappie on the lower end of
the lake. Walleye are taking nightcrawlers, fished on the bottom. From the
Smith River, a number of rainbow trout, 3-5 pounds, have been caught.
SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR - Fishing is picking up. Crappie are hitting around
creek mouths, on small minnows or chartreuse jigs. A few smallmouth bass are
taking live bait or jig 'n pig on main lake points. Some trout are being
caught at Weirs Dam. Lots of walleye anglers are out on the upper lake, with
some good fish, to 12 pounds, being caught. Some flathead catfish, to 20
pounds, are being taken on cut bait.
CLAYTOR LAKE - Good numbers of largemouth and smallmouth bass, along with a
few Kentucky bass are being caught. Most of the bass are taking rattling
crankbaits, live minnows and spinnerbaits. Flathead catfish, to 20 pounds,
were weighed in this past week, taken on large minnows. A few white bass and
stripers were also caught on crankbaits.
TROUT STREAMS - Most streams throughout the state are full. They are clear
and falling however, and trout fishing continues to be good. Dry flies and
nymphs should do well in all National Forest streams. The Powell River in Lee
County is producing good trout on small Mepps spinners, Shyster spinners and
small spoons. Other good streams producing large trout are Maggadee Creek,
North River and Upper North River and Elk Horn River. Large nymphs, such as
Hare's Ear or Red Squirrel are producing well. Excellent fishing in Rockbridge
County on the Maury and Mill Creek. Big Stoney is also producing some nice
catches of rainbow and brown trout. Best baits for spin fishermen are small
black Mepps, while fly fishermen should try olive or cream color stream nymphs
in a size eight. Good hatches are coming off the streams in the Western part
of the state. Blue Olives in 14, 16 and 18, Quill Gordon, Black Caddis in 16
and 18, and tan Mottled Caddis in 12 and 14 are working best. Rainbows over 20
inches in length are being taken from the Jackson River.