Not much happening, but it won’t be long. Freshwater fish react to the longer days and slight upticks in the water temperatures. Yellow perch are generally the harbingers of spring. When they begin their spawn, things start happening. Below is an update.
Potomac River
There are some yellow perch biting behind Roosevelt Island. Capt. Steve Chaconas says the best bass action comes from the water discharge areas at Blue Plains, Four Mile Run, and Possum Point. Bass are more active and drawn into these areas along with baitfish. Presentations are still slow, but fish will move to eat a bait.
Rappahannock
The blue catfish bite has been excellent. Cats don’t seem to mind the cold as much as some other species. White perch, yellow perch and stripers are in the lower river.
Shenandoah River
Nada!
Lake Anna
The water temp near the dam is a reasonable 50 degrees. It’s 38 to 40 up-lake, so guess where most fish are biting? Bass in the 2 to 6 pound class are on main lake points.
Some stripers are being caught around The Splits.
James River Tidal
Great fishing for line-busting blue catfish. A few yellow perch are active. Crappie are taking minnows near the barge pits.
Chickahominy River
Normally one of the first rivers to give up yellow perch, but not much action to date.
Chickahominy Lake
Crappie are still hungry on the Chick. Fishing with Capt. Conway, Carolyn Conway had 13 crappie and 2 pickerel. Tom Porter had 11 crappie, one blue cat and a pickerel.
Gaston and Buggs
Small bass are beginning to stir at Gaston. When the water is moving, stripers are feeding near the bridges.
At Buggs, the water level is 4 feet below normal pool. The crappie bite is picking up, but not like it’s going to be in a few weeks. Bass’n is fair. No report on stripers.
Smith Mountain
Brave anglers have been catching some larger stripers in the coves on the northeast side of Smith Mountain. A few walleye are biting in deep water.
Staunton River
No striper movement yet, but the walleye are in a pre-spawn run.
Lake Moomaw
Nothing here, but a few trout are taking streamers below Gathright.
New River
A few catfish are being creeled, and muskie action was fair before the water began to rise.
Trout Streams
Most of the streams throughout the state are in excellent condition for fishing, following some rain and snowfall, but the water is still “brrrr” cold.