It’s now official. Jeffrey E. Dill boated a 68 pound, 12 ounce flathead catfish on May 25 at Lake Smith, setting a new record for that species in Virginia. Blue catfish typically run larger, but a 68-12 flathead is nothing to sneeze at.
Lake Smith, in Norfolk, is located across Northampton Boulevard from the Little Creek side of Lake Whitehurst. The lake’s 193 acres average only five feet in depth. The largemouth bass population is good and there are opportunities to catch a citation. The lake also has white catfish, crappie, white perch, bluegill and, of course, flathead catfish. The perch and bluegill populations, however, are stunted.
Boat permits are required at Lake Smith, and gas motors (up to 9.9 horsepower) are allowed. The City of Norfolk has amended their codes to allow boats with outboard motors larger than 9.9 horsepower to access the lake if the outboard is disabled (prop removed or fuel removed). Bank fishing is restricted to an area around the fishing station. The boat ramp and parking area are part of a City of Virginia Beach park and hours are posted.
Chickahominy Lake
Capt. Art Conway of Conway’s River Rat Guide Service out of Ed Allen’s Boats and Bait reported that Chickahominy Lake mid-day water temperatures were in the middle 80’s in the main lake on Wednesday.
Fishing with Capt. Conway, Karen Anderson had 22 bluegills, 1 yellow perch, 1 warmouth, 1 blue cat and 3 gar. Carolyn Conway had 21 bluegill, 1 yellow perch and 1warmouth.
Lake Orange
Contributed by Darrell Kennedy of Angler’s Landing (540.672.3997). The water temperature is in the mid 80s and the lake is clear. Bass and crappie are schooling up on baitfish and are being caught on topwaters, soft plastics and live bait. A few walleye have been landed recently on both nightcrawlers and minnows worked along rocky areas down lake. Catfish are hitting chicken livers and live bait.
Lake Anna
Bass are taking Silver Buddies, crankbaits and large plastic worms in 18-27 feet of water on ridges and points. Four-inch power worms in June Bug and blue fleck are also taking some nice bass in about 20-feet of water, off the main lake islands around Duke’s Creek. Schooling bass may be found on points dropping into deep water. Stripers are taking live shad, particularly at Rose Valley, the Splits and Terry’s Run. Catfishing is off and on. Crappie schools are suspended over creek channels in 15-25 feet of water and bridge pilings in 35 feet of water.
Smith Mountain Lake
Fishing is good, with stripers to 20 pounds being caught at the log boom, near the islands, at the “S” turns and off the mouth of Gills Creek. Most of the fish are being taken early in the morning or at night. Largemouth bass are being caught in 18-25 feet of water on deep-diving crankbaits and plastic worms. Topwater lures are taking fish early and late in the day.
Buggs Island Lake
The lake is at full pool and stable. Stripers are being caught with vertical jigs such as Hopkins Spoons. Better areas are Nutbush Creek and County Line Creek, on the lower end of the lake. Rattling crankbaits and plastic lures in pumpkinseed or June Bug colors are taking largemouth bass. The fish are located in 17-30 feet on main lake points. Crappie are found on brush piles in 10-12 feet of water. White bass are taking dollflies, 1/4 oz. Rat-L-Traps and small spinners from Clarksville to Bluestone Creek.
The Rivers
The James, New and Shenandoah rivers are all producing nice smallmouth bass as warm weather sets in. Fly fishermen are scoring with small poppers and streamers while the spin casters are having success with Tiny Torp’s and Senko worms. The rivers are now in excellent shape with good water flow and clarity.
There is also excellent fishing now for largemouth on the Chickahominy River. Lily pads, cypress tree roots, boat docks and hydrilla beds are all productive.
