There are a few changes to the fishing regs for 2020. The Sportsman’s License, a combo license, has been reduced from $133 to $100.
In addition, Lake Merriweather, a 450-acre impoundment owned by the Boy Scouts and located in Goshen, is now open to the public on a. seasonal basis. In addition to an appropriate fishing. License, a Public Access Lands for Sportsmen ()PALS) is also needed. To fish Lake Merriweather.
A trout license will not be required to fish designated stocked trout waters during Free Fishing Days, June 5–7, 2020. A permit is still required to fish at Clinch Mountain, Crooked Creek and Douthat Lake Fee Fishing Areas.
New species will be recognized, including white crappie, black crappie, bluegill sunfish, redear sunfish, saugeye, a category for all other sunfish, and goldfish (archery only). White crappie, bluegill, saugeye, other sunfish, and goldfish categories are currently open until qualifying catches are submitted and approved. For qualifying minimum sizes and program rules, see the Trophy Fish section on the VDGIF website.
New species have been added to the Angler Recognition Program including black crappie, white crappie, saugeye, fallfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, and other sunfish. For details on minimum lengths and weights, see the Trophy Fish section.
Saltwater Report
Stan Cobb with. Greentop says things are still a bit slow on the saltwater front though tautogs are biting well on ocean wrecks. Sea bass will be available to keep from Feb. 1- 28, to those obtaining a recreational sea bass permit from the VMRC. Rockfish are available inside the bay on a catch and release basis. The previous warm weather sparked some speckled trout movement, but the arrival of colder weather slowed things down.
On the Outer Banks, to quote a local drum fishermen, Joe White, “The fishing sucks!”
Lots of wind has kept the blue water fleet in port.
Freshwater Report
Big bass are being caught from the Chickahominy River and the Lake. Swimbaits, jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits, and chatterbaits are top lure choices, says Stan Cobb. The yellow perch bite is slow. Crappie are being caught in good numbers. Look to the pits along the James for bass, also the backwater areas of the Appomattox River. Some of the larger creeks along the James are holding crappie. Better catches of smallmouth are coming from the tidal Rappahannock River. The Rapp is also producing crappie. The upper James has dropped to desirable levels and a good color. Crankbaits, small jigs, and jerkbaits are working well. Bass continue to bite well at Anna. They are responding to Alabama rigs, jerkbaits, jigs, spoons, and swimbaits. Crappie are biting strong at the bridges above 208. Stripers are stretched out from The Splits to Dike 3. Look for the walleye bite to improve at the Dike 3 area, especially at night. They will also soon begin their spawning runs to the upper sections.
