Sarah White has collected the latest fishing reports from over 20 fishing guides, marinas and avid anglers for major rivers and lakes listed by geographic region throughout the state this week for posting here in the Fishin’ Report.
With cold winter temperatures slowing activity a bit and deer season ended in most of the state, take advantage of any warm sunny days and head out to your favorite river or lake and take a kid fishing.
Please use caution in planning any outdoor activities or going on the water. Be aware of the dangers of frost bite and hypothermia. Always wear your life jacket and let someone know know where you are going and when you plan to return. Check conditions before you venture out.
The websites and telephone numbers for the guides and marinas are listed here- contact them for the latest conditions. For more information on a particular area contact the guide or marina listed through their website, Facebook page, or telephone and please mention you saw their contact info in The Outdoor Report.
Before we begin the Fishing Report, a word of caution. One slip and fall into the water this time of year can bring on deadly hypothermia in a very short amount of time. Please bear in mind that neither the water nor the air temperature needs to be freezing for hypothermia to set in.
One thing, therefore, that I recommend, is some form of dry bag. These containers vary in price, size and effectiveness, so do some thoughtful research before you buy. But buy one you should – having a dry set of clothes to get into can quite literally save your life.
Another thing you must have is water proof matches in some sort of protective container so that you can start a fire. And don’t forget your thermos of hot coffee. I’m not trying to talk you out of winter fishing – far from it.
What I am asking is that you bear in mind that different seasons of fishing call for different preparations. Fish safe.
Claytor Lake: Rock House Marina . For more info call at (540) 980-1488, or go to www.rockhousemarina.com. Mike Burchett told me that the lake is freezing over and he has seen no one fishing in a week. Things will probably improve towards the end of the week, but until then conditions just don’t make for fun fishing.
Upper New River: Contributed by Captain Forest Pressnell, (540) 818-5274. Right now the Upper New River is low, clear and frozen over from this cold blast but warming temps should have it thawed out toward the end of the week. Muskies will be hitting deep cranks, glides and don’t overlook big tubes bounced off the bottom. Walleye should be heating up with crankbaits, jerkbaits and jigs tipped with grubs providing some action.
Top New River: Contributed by local guide Richie Hughes, owner of New River Trips LLC., newrivertrips@gmail.com. The local trout creeks in the area of the “Top New” , Mouth of Wilson to Fries, have a considerable amount of ice in them. We will need some warmer temps in order to have enough “soft water” to fish. The New has a little ice in it, but temps in the 50s later this week should take care of that.
New, Clinch and Holston Rivers: Contributed by Tommy Cundiff of River Monster Guide Service, (844) 588-2347. If you would like to get a trip in, call 844-luv-2fish now. We have some spots available and will put you on some fish. You can also visit our website at rivermonsterguideservice.com, or like us on Facebook and send us a message. Thanks and good fishing! No report this time.
Winter fishing for bass can be a fun time if you know where to fish, what to throw and of course if you bundle up to meet the weather conditions. Winter fishing can also bring a surprising bonus — big bass. This is the time of year when female bass start to grow their eggs and their size tends to grow with it. Ever catch a spawned out bass? They always look thin. Winter bass always look like they swallowed a school of shiners.
Largemouth in winter. If you’re a brave soul and get out on the water a lot during the cold of winter, you are greeted by what seems to be the devil of winter fisherman – that being clear water.
In most cases the water clears quickly in the winter even after strong winter rains, I am sure there is a scientific reason for it but no matter, the fact remains you have to be able to overcome this winter obstacle.
In spring, white bass seek tributaries of major reservoirs for spawning runs. It is during these spawning runs, when thousands of whites are concentrated in small streams that most white bass are taken during the year.
In fact, for some white bass aficionados, there’s no season but spring. When spawning runs end, so does the fishing. That’s unfortunate, for winter is an excellent season for catching whites
–Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
