WV Fishing Reports

Elk River – Early spring is an excellent time to pursue muskie, give them a try using large plugs, spinnerbaits and in-line spinners such as the ‘double cowgirl’. But, recently all streams and rivers have been high and muddy. Once the streams come back down, try for muskie and walleye using preferred lures (jigs, crankbaits and soft plastics). Walleye will be spawning over the next few weeks, try for them at creek mouths, below shoal areas and near structure. The WVDNR is conducting a muskie study on the Elk River currently. If an angler keeps a muskie with what appears to be a metal tag on the dorsal fin, please contact the district office in Pt. Pleasant immediately (304-675-0871). We would like to gather information (total length = tip of snout to maximum length with the tail fin lobes squeezed together, location of capture, tag number) from the tagged fish. Flyers have been placed at put-ins, and in small tackle/convenient stores along the Elk River in Braxton, Clay, and Kanawha counties. Your participation is much appreciated. For local Trout Fishing Guides call 304-575-5252 or visit www.profishwv.com

BLUESTONE LAKE – Spring is here and some fish species are preparing to spawn as the water warms in the next few weeks. Crappie will be showing up on brush piles, flooded timber or downed trees where they will spawn. They will hit small minnows or doll flies. Bass may be caught off rocky points and around downed trees using live bait and artificial 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 spinnerbait, 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.

SUMMERSVILLE LAKE– The lake is one foot below summer pool and clear. Bass are active as they move toward shallow water to spawn. Sunfish and crappie have been caught around cover. Try the upper end of the lake for walleye. Trout were stocked in the tailwaters on April 29. If you are looking for a back country trout fishing experience hike down in and enjoy. For more information call Corps of Engineers at 304-872-5809. For guided tours visit www.profishwv.com

April trout stockings are in full swing and anglers should find plenty of waters stocked with trout and plenty of fish to catch. Anglers should check this year’s fishing regulations to see which waters will be stocked. For a more up-to-date list, please call the hotline at 304-558-3399 or check online at www.wvdnr.gov. The New and Greenbrier rivers are still somewhat high due to rains but persistent anglers may catch some smallmouth bass using tube jigs or spinnerbaits. Best spots are just below a shoal or rapid or in any eddy. Anglers may also want to try their luck at Kanawha Falls for musky or hybrid stripers (use big chubs and large white jigs for bait) or lake anglers can find some excellent bass and bluegill fishing at Plum Orchard Lake and Pipestem Lake. Best baits are plastic worms fished slowly along the bottom, spinnerbaits are also good choices for the bass while the bluegill will take small jigs, red worms, or other small live baits.