2 Photos
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE FISH FINDER(Get live water temperature readings by clicking the link below)
**Info provided by Salem Va's own Nathan Carroll**
What’s New Freshwater Fishing Regulations for 2017
The following Freshwater Fishing regulation changes are new for 2017. More details can be found in sections that follow this summary.
Creel and Length Limits
- Seasonal slot limit on New River for muskellunge.
- Creel & length limit changes for catfish, longnose gar, bowfin and American eel
Non-Native (Exotic Animals)
- Anglers may legally harvest grass carp from public waters of the commonwealth, except from department-owned or department controlled lakes.
Trout
- A trout license is not required to fish designated stocked trout waters during Free Fishing Days, June 2-4, 2017.
- There is a new Youth-only Stocked Trout Program in designated waters.
- Cook Lake, Hearthstone Lake and Jerry’s Run will not be stocked this year. Bear Creek Reservoir (Wise County) has been added as a Category B water. Big Brumley Creek changed from a Category C to a Category B water.
- The delayed harvest section of South River is now Catch and Release only. The Reach of South River upstream of Waynesboro changed to 20-inch minimum, 1 fish per day, flyfishing only.
- Big Moccasin Creek, Indian Creek, and Middle Fork of Powell River have been added to the Delayed Harvest program.
New 2017 Virginia Fishing Forecasts, Outlooks, and Rankings
Fisheries biologists with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) spend considerable hours on Virginia’s smallmouth bass rivers trying to understand more about the sport fish that live there. Knowledge about sport fish populations is partially accomplished by collecting fish with boat electrofishers in the fall at established stations. Several of our smaller rivers are difficult to access in low water, so they are sampled in the spring. The following reports provide information on what anglers can expect from various fisheries in Virginia reservoirs and also provide information on largemouth bass population statistics in various large and small impoundments throughout the state.
- 2017 Annual Virginia Rivers and Smallmouth Bass Fishing Outlook
- Virginia Reservoirs Ranked for Largemouth Bass Fishing
- 2017 Impoundment Forecast
Musky Season is in Full Swing
DGIF biologists are tirelessly braving the elements to monitor the musky populations in the South Fork Shenandoah River, Main Stem Shenandoah River, and James River. Each musky they catch is tagged with one or two yellow reward tags worth $20 each. If you are lucky enough to catch a musky with one of these tags, cut off one or both of the tags and mail them in to the DGIF regional office in Forest VA to claim your reward.
Tips for Post-Spawn Walleye Fishing
By: Clifford Kirk, Fisheries Biologist Assistant, Region III
The walleye spawn is over now. The fish are not as concentrated as they were last month [March] on the spawning grounds, but the good news is they are hungry and will be much more interested in biting. Walleyes will spread out along the entire lake shoreline, but key habitats will hold more fish. Remember that walleye are light-sensitive, so shady areas will be better during daylight hours. At night walleyes will venture in shallow water looking for easy prey. In lakes that have alewives, night fishing this time of year can be really productive and exciting. The alewives come into shallow water at night to spawn. They spawn near the water surface, with small groups of alewives swimming in tight circles. This spawning activity makes quite a bit of noise and often attracts hungry walleyes. When a walleye hits a spawning alewife it makes a crack that will startle you.
Shallow running minnow plugs are the best choice for walleyes chasing alewives. Don’t be afraid to use larger plugs that would often be considered “striper lures”. Topwater lures with small propellers will also work well during the alewife spawn. One of the best things about this type of fishing is that you don’t have to know the secret spot and you don’t need a fish finder. You just need to listen for surface activity from the alewives. When you hear a walleye hitting the surface you will know it. Cast your plug into the mix and do your best to make it look like an injured alewife trying to swim away.
Virginia lakes that have both alewives and walleye include Claytor Lake, Flannagan Reservoir, Hungry Mother Lake, North Fork of Pound Lake, Philpott Reservoir and South Holston Reservoir. All of these lakes should offer really good night fishing opportunities for walleye from mid- April through mid-May.
Fishin’ Report
**Fishing Report info appreciatively shared by VDGIF***
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE FISH FINDER(Get live water temperature readings by clicking the link below)
**Info provided by Salem Va's own Nathan Carroll**
What’s New Freshwater Fishing Regulations for 2017
The following Freshwater Fishing regulation changes are new for 2017. More details can be found in sections that follow this summary.
Creel and Length Limits
- Seasonal slot limit on New River for muskellunge.
- Creel & length limit changes for catfish, longnose gar, bowfin and American eel
Non-Native (Exotic Animals)
- Anglers may legally harvest grass carp from public waters of the commonwealth, except from department-owned or department controlled lakes.
Trout
- A trout license is not required to fish designated stocked trout waters during Free Fishing Days, June 2-4, 2017.
- There is a new Youth-only Stocked Trout Program in designated waters.
- Cook Lake, Hearthstone Lake and Jerry’s Run will not be stocked this year. Bear Creek Reservoir (Wise County) has been added as a Category B water. Big Brumley Creek changed from a Category C to a Category B water.
- The delayed harvest section of South River is now Catch and Release only. The Reach of South River upstream of Waynesboro changed to 20-inch minimum, 1 fish per day, flyfishing only.
- Big Moccasin Creek, Indian Creek, and Middle Fork of Powell River have been added to the Delayed Harvest program.
New 2017 Virginia Fishing Forecasts, Outlooks, and Rankings
Fisheries biologists with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) spend considerable hours on Virginia’s smallmouth bass rivers trying to understand more about the sport fish that live there. Knowledge about sport fish populations is partially accomplished by collecting fish with boat electrofishers in the fall at established stations. Several of our smaller rivers are difficult to access in low water, so they are sampled in the spring. The following reports provide information on what anglers can expect from various fisheries in Virginia reservoirs and also provide information on largemouth bass population statistics in various large and small impoundments throughout the state.
- 2017 Annual Virginia Rivers and Smallmouth Bass Fishing Outlook
- Virginia Reservoirs Ranked for Largemouth Bass Fishing
- 2017 Impoundment Forecast
Musky Season is in Full Swing
DGIF biologists are tirelessly braving the elements to monitor the musky populations in the South Fork Shenandoah River, Main Stem Shenandoah River, and James River. Each musky they catch is tagged with one or two yellow reward tags worth $20 each. If you are lucky enough to catch a musky with one of these tags, cut off one or both of the tags and mail them in to the DGIF regional office in Forest VA to claim your reward.
Tips for Post-Spawn Walleye Fishing
By: Clifford Kirk, Fisheries Biologist Assistant, Region III
The walleye spawn is over now. The fish are not as concentrated as they were last month [March] on the spawning grounds, but the good news is they are hungry and will be much more interested in biting. Walleyes will spread out along the entire lake shoreline, but key habitats will hold more fish. Remember that walleye are light-sensitive, so shady areas will be better during daylight hours. At night walleyes will venture in shallow water looking for easy prey. In lakes that have alewives, night fishing this time of year can be really productive and exciting. The alewives come into shallow water at night to spawn. They spawn near the water surface, with small groups of alewives swimming in tight circles. This spawning activity makes quite a bit of noise and often attracts hungry walleyes. When a walleye hits a spawning alewife it makes a crack that will startle you.
Shallow running minnow plugs are the best choice for walleyes chasing alewives. Don’t be afraid to use larger plugs that would often be considered “striper lures”. Topwater lures with small propellers will also work well during the alewife spawn. One of the best things about this type of fishing is that you don’t have to know the secret spot and you don’t need a fish finder. You just need to listen for surface activity from the alewives. When you hear a walleye hitting the surface you will know it. Cast your plug into the mix and do your best to make it look like an injured alewife trying to swim away.
Virginia lakes that have both alewives and walleye include Claytor Lake, Flannagan Reservoir, Hungry Mother Lake, North Fork of Pound Lake, Philpott Reservoir and South Holston Reservoir. All of these lakes should offer really good night fishing opportunities for walleye from mid- April through mid-May.
Fishin’ Report
**Fishing Report info appreciatively shared by VDGIF***
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE FISH FINDER(Get live water temperature readings by clicking the link below)
**Info provided by Salem Va's own Nathan Carroll**
What’s New Freshwater Fishing Regulations for 2017
The following Freshwater Fishing regulation changes are new for 2017. More details can be found in sections that follow this summary.
Creel and Length Limits
- Seasonal slot limit on New River for muskellunge.
- Creel & length limit changes for catfish, longnose gar, bowfin and American eel
Non-Native (Exotic Animals)
- Anglers may legally harvest grass carp from public waters of the commonwealth, except from department-owned or department controlled lakes.
Trout
- A trout license is not required to fish designated stocked trout waters during Free Fishing Days, June 2-4, 2017.
- There is a new Youth-only Stocked Trout Program in designated waters.
- Cook Lake, Hearthstone Lake and Jerry’s Run will not be stocked this year. Bear Creek Reservoir (Wise County) has been added as a Category B water. Big Brumley Creek changed from a Category C to a Category B water.
- The delayed harvest section of South River is now Catch and Release only. The Reach of South River upstream of Waynesboro changed to 20-inch minimum, 1 fish per day, flyfishing only.
- Big Moccasin Creek, Indian Creek, and Middle Fork of Powell River have been added to the Delayed Harvest program.
New 2017 Virginia Fishing Forecasts, Outlooks, and Rankings
Fisheries biologists with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) spend considerable hours on Virginia’s smallmouth bass rivers trying to understand more about the sport fish that live there. Knowledge about sport fish populations is partially accomplished by collecting fish with boat electrofishers in the fall at established stations. Several of our smaller rivers are difficult to access in low water, so they are sampled in the spring. The following reports provide information on what anglers can expect from various fisheries in Virginia reservoirs and also provide information on largemouth bass population statistics in various large and small impoundments throughout the state.
- 2017 Annual Virginia Rivers and Smallmouth Bass Fishing Outlook
- Virginia Reservoirs Ranked for Largemouth Bass Fishing
- 2017 Impoundment Forecast
Musky Season is in Full Swing
DGIF biologists are tirelessly braving the elements to monitor the musky populations in the South Fork Shenandoah River, Main Stem Shenandoah River, and James River. Each musky they catch is tagged with one or two yellow reward tags worth $20 each. If you are lucky enough to catch a musky with one of these tags, cut off one or both of the tags and mail them in to the DGIF regional office in Forest VA to claim your reward.
Tips for Post-Spawn Walleye Fishing
By: Clifford Kirk, Fisheries Biologist Assistant, Region III
The walleye spawn is over now. The fish are not as concentrated as they were last month [March] on the spawning grounds, but the good news is they are hungry and will be much more interested in biting. Walleyes will spread out along the entire lake shoreline, but key habitats will hold more fish. Remember that walleye are light-sensitive, so shady areas will be better during daylight hours. At night walleyes will venture in shallow water looking for easy prey. In lakes that have alewives, night fishing this time of year can be really productive and exciting. The alewives come into shallow water at night to spawn. They spawn near the water surface, with small groups of alewives swimming in tight circles. This spawning activity makes quite a bit of noise and often attracts hungry walleyes. When a walleye hits a spawning alewife it makes a crack that will startle you.
Shallow running minnow plugs are the best choice for walleyes chasing alewives. Don’t be afraid to use larger plugs that would often be considered “striper lures”. Topwater lures with small propellers will also work well during the alewife spawn. One of the best things about this type of fishing is that you don’t have to know the secret spot and you don’t need a fish finder. You just need to listen for surface activity from the alewives. When you hear a walleye hitting the surface you will know it. Cast your plug into the mix and do your best to make it look like an injured alewife trying to swim away.
Virginia lakes that have both alewives and walleye include Claytor Lake, Flannagan Reservoir, Hungry Mother Lake, North Fork of Pound Lake, Philpott Reservoir and South Holston Reservoir. All of these lakes should offer really good night fishing opportunities for walleye from mid- April through mid-May.
Fishin’ Report
**Fishing Report info appreciatively shared by VDGIF***
