WebClaytor Lake is the top destination for hybrids in Virginia, setting a new state record with a hybrid weighing 15 pounds, 13 ounces caught by local angler Don Jessie on March 16, Tournament bass > 4 pounds were 13% stocked. Summer trolling for Walleye and Channel Catfish in the main lake is productive and growing in popularity. The best areas are from the dam to mile marker 6, as most of the upper lake has poor habitat due to high discharge from Smith Mountain Lake. Lures that imitate fish are the best choice for Largemouth Bass, but they may also hit crayfish imitations. However, it is still a 21% decline from 2019 (12.0 /net night). You can find White Crappie, Black Crappie,Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Muskie, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Spotted Bass, Striped Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Striped Bass, Walleye and Largemouth Bass on these waters. Surveys in 2021 followed up on fast growing saugeye with females pushing 4-4.5 pounds in just 2.5 years. Poor habitat (low oxygen at preferred temperature) in summer 2016 caused a striper kill, but the population has started to rebound. and memorable size (> 20) was 0.4/hr. Survival of both was excellent in 2021 based on gill net catch rate. View our maps and read detailed fishing reports from nearby anglers. While the increasing bass population coincides with stocking, the primary reasons for the overall increase bass is likely improved forage and good spawning success. Largemouth Bass are abundant with good numbers of fish up to 17. Choose a top technique based upon Claytor Lake Reports filed by local anglers. This strong year class and higher stocking densities should maintain a fishery that will provide a lot of action in coming years. A night survey conducted in March 2021 yielded 34 Walleye (22/hr.) Population metrics describing abundance and size structure of Lake Anna Largemouth Bass in 2021 were nearly all at record levels (again). Harrys Point boat ramp, a no-fee ramp located in the mid-lake area within Pulaski Countys Harry DeHaven Park, has a double ramp and courtesy piers. The combined creel limit for black bass is still 5 per day. There are copious water willow beds along many shorelines and lots of submerged timber in this 2100-acre reservoir. The reservoirs small watershed can be supplemented by water pumped in from Chickahominy Lake or Diascund Reservoir. Good areas for Smallmouth Bass are the shoreline across from the mouth of Dublin Hollow, the shoreline between Spooky Hollow and Texas Hollow, and in Dublin Hollow. placing Chesdin in first place again for all district lakes. Walleye fishing remains the best in the Commonwealth; however, fishing success has declined recently possibly due to increasing pressure and a missing 2016 year class due to hatchery issues. endstream endobj 260 0 obj <>/Metadata 43 0 R/Pages 257 0 R/StructTreeRoot 55 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 261 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 257 0 R/Resources<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 262 0 obj <>stream hb```ZVB ea`b`VY`V4CS @5, W9zF-a1KGkDCFCEGV>u@ZE@1bd`k 3RBV2GIbXklq@+l@F'@ ,/ Bragging size fish are scarce, but the action is non-stop. Rentals: Fishing boats, pontoon boats, kayaks and canoes Electrofishing catch rates of bass >15 are similar to neighboring Smith Mountain Lake. Marina: YES Flathead Catfish are also sought by Claytor Lake catfish anglers. Read Fishing Reports. The 2022 tournament will take place on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at Claytor Lake State Park located at 6620 Ben H. Bolen Dr, Dublin, VA 24084. While most anglers troll or float live Gizzard Shad and Alewife, many are taken with topwater baits (Redfins, Rapalas, etc.) this includes food and permits. The survey did not reveal an abundance of bass with only 46 collected (23/hr.). Large Mouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass are on there summer patterns and have pulled off to deep points and structure. Diascund Reservoir is another Newport News water supply. The VDWR, with agreement from Newport News and James City County, built a public boat ramp, courtesy pier, and parking lot off Route 603 near Lanexa. We are done, full boat limits for our 31 passengers. We depart on Wednesday night and return on Friday night. Walleye. The 2021 survey revealed similar results with few fish over 6. So, although the number of Walleye and Saugeye were down, the majority of fish out there are legal (over 18). Also sign me up for tips and deals from the Omnia newsletter. We have 2 openings on a two day charter next week. We reserve the right to correct pricing errors. Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass have very similar diets, with both relying mostly on crayfish. #4.25.5. Claytor Lake Weather Click here to unsubcribe from your fishing reports. Brown trout to almost six pounds are being caught on live minnows at night, under the lights. Eighty-three percent were over 12, and 44% exceeded 15. Learn More, 09/21/2022 Currently an aging reservoir and limited summer habitat availability is a concern. Bluegill and Rock Bass are numerous throughout the lake, providing fishing action when other species are not biting. endstream endobj 266 0 obj <>stream The flats of Johnson and Lacey Creeks will provide the earliest action each spring. Target transition areas leading to spawning flats in early to mid-spring. Learn More, 09/21/2022 Samples have shown survival has improved since impacts of LMBv were felt 2009 -2012, and number of bass over 15 in spring surveys has steadily improved since 2012. Brown trout to almost six pounds are being caught on live minnows at night, under the lights. White Bass are regulated by a creel limit of five per day, with no size limit. The survey yielded 65 preferred-sized bass ( 15) for a catch rate of 21.7/hr. 259 0 obj <> endobj Abundance of bass over 15 in 2021 was above average, and numerous bass below 12 were sampled which should provide quality fishing in coming years. White bass are schooled, taking topwater baits. Species include; largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, hybrid bass, spotted bass, walleye, musky, yellow perch, bluegill, carp, and A trophy river without a doubt. 0 JJ is back in Santa Barbara and today he scored limits of nice Rockfish. 540 980-1488. WebClaytor Lakes Largemouth Bass populations have been stable over the past 10 years. Hey everyone it's time again to start seriously thinking about when you will be able to get on the boat for a tuna trip. Claytor Lake is the top destination for hybrids in Virginia, setting a new state record with a hybrid weighing 15 pounds, 13 ounces caught by local angler Don Jessie on March 16, 2016. R$SxSILmhfzNev3)p&9_V*" oO>eht2cCV|[A~;oG[t^\\y|&0:]]>lUN9v%L^=: (pd1$p2=>9=~R'r9= fni^425\Sg |[R*^IHVIhLKfg1)::kTj\ "NoU4ql%d[?;/|_55>3#rR; The 2020 net survey collected 456 crappie over two nights, and most fish were from two year classes with peaks of distribution centered on 8-9 and 10-11. Catch rates for fish > 20 declined slightly in 2020 and again in 2021, although 2021 samples still yielded 13 bass > 20. No Walleye 19-28 may be kept, and anglers are limited to 2 per day. Bait & Tackle: YES Using this web site acknowledges your agreement to the, Stripers, 14-16 pounds, are taking live shad. Extensive sampling was conducted again in spring 2021 to evaluate contribution to the population for bass stocked the previous six years. A New River impoundment, this lake offers superb fishing. and bucktails in the spring and fall. These are the highest levels ever documented in the northern district in any water. Polaris Supreme Trip Report 06-29 to 30-2016 Jul 09, 2016 - New River (Claytor Dam) Smallmouth Bass. The 2021 net survey yielded the highest catch rate of flatheads with most 8-12 pounds. All tournament fishing is catch and release and most is done by local clubs. Boat Rental: YES WebClaytor Lake State Park has a 4,500-acre lake, offering visitors a scenic retreat. The use of outboard engines is prohibited, but trolling motors are permitted. HKo@s?EJH,q@=8`x!x EQvggn`T$d*ZA&b!_sv-(+S' !QL+L#Sg0yOCC Find fishing tackle, live bait, fishing guides, fishing charters, campgrounds, and hotels near Claytor Lake. The crappie fishery has produced good size but low numbers for the past 20 years, limiting the fishery. Its a scenic place to fish for a variety of species. Although not nearly as abundant as in nearby Chickahominy Lake, Bowfin in Diascund provide excitement and trophy potential. This size and creel limit is designed to protect large female spawning Walleye in Claytor Lake and the New River, while allowing some harvest of the more abundant male Walleye. Both of these bass species eat a lot of Bluegill as well as some Alewife and Gizzard Shad, so they may also hit lures that imitate fish. Those targeting Largemouth Bass should focus on areas between Bolar Marina boat ramp and Rt. WebAll about fishing at Claytor Lake for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, white bass, yellow bass, Guests can also rent bikes and The average "striper" (as they are commonly known) is about 8 lb but catches close to 30 lb have been reported. Yellowtail sightings are starting to become very consistent. The return of stocking only Walleye (no saugeye) into Leesville was to maintain genetic integrity since most broodstock come from this system. Live bait o Species Caught Here: Bass. Enter your email address to get 10% off your first order. In the 2017 angler survey, Channel and Flathead Catfish fishing effort climbed to nearly 13%, making catfish angling the second biggest fishery here. For more fishing information on South Holston Lake go to the South Holston Lake page or the TWRA website. Depth: Unknown Water Clarity: Stained (6/10) During your visit you can fish for bass, catfish, walleye and muskie from shore, boat or the universally accessible fishing pier. Catfish: 20 per day no length restrictions. Follow Route 605 until you reach Route 663 (Owens Road), go right on 663, then look for signs marking the park when you get near the lake. Stocking will continue for at least several more years and will continue to be evaluated with electrofishing and tournament samples to determine if stocking benefits are worth the investment. The Black Crappie population is not large compared to other lakes, but they average a little less than a pound in size. The Bowfin population is one of the best in Virginia. Anglers might want a few fully charged batteries if they plan to make long trips toward the upper end. Anglers primarily target catfish from April to June, with a second bump in effort in early fall. COMBINED WEIGHT TOTAL OF 5 FISH (Including Large Mouth Bass, The reports are compiled by an outside contractor who receives the During the spring spawning run, look for Walleye where the New River enters the lake near Allisonia. Many larger fish are also caught, and Buggs Island boasts the state and world record Blue Catfish at 143 pounds caught in 2011. The reservoir has a number of large arms with plenty of interesting contour and structure. Anglers are encouraged to check out fish habitat reefs that have been recently created by DWR. Flathead Catfish tend to grow larger with fish up to 33 pounds. As Lake Moomaw has aged, it has provided better habitat for Smallmouth Bass. These schooling fish can provide great action and can keep youngsters engaged. endstream endobj startxref The 2021 spring survey collected 173 Largemouth Bass for a CPUE of 86/hr. Brown Trout stocked in NovFeb at 67 grow to 1213 in six months. Serious black bass anglers should add Moomaw to their must- fish list in 2022. endstream endobj 265 0 obj <>stream Bragging size fish are scarce, but the action is non-stop. Schools of crappie will migrate shallow late winter. The collection of 232 preferred-sized bass ( 15) provided a high catch rate of 66/hr. Public access is somewhat limited but there is a good boat launch area at Claytor Lake State Park on the northern shore of the lake. The lake record Flathead Catfish of 58 pounds, 8 ounces was caught from the upper area of the lake. Anglers are encouraged to continue practice catch-and-release of trophy-size bass from the lake. Actually caught two, a 1lb and a 1.25lb, but I didnt get a picture of the second fish, 1 lb. HTKo0WF$y)*CJ4gffJog{|>6OB we have room on out 1.5 day trip leaving tomorrow night, give Seaforth Landing a call at 619-224-3383 to get on board. The 2021 survey was conducted on May 7th with water temperatures near 70 and did not account for the majority of spawning bass which had vacated the shallows. Fishing Claytor Lake, VA on 1/21/2023 will be best from 12:00AM through 12:00AM, and from 12:00AM to 12:00AM. Anglers who are familiar with Claytor Lake are asked to suggest changes using the link above. A new size and creel limit is now in place from Claytor Lake Dam upstream to Buck Dam on the New River in Carroll County year round (formerly a seasonal size and creel limit). Flathead Catfish up to 30 pounds, and Channel Catfish up to 15 pounds can be caught. The White Perch and Black Crappie populations continue to provide excitement during late winter to early spring. It is unclear why the drastic change after 20 years, so it is uncertain if this population will continue to sustain current numbers or will return to historical levels. Bait populations (Alewife and Gizzard Shad) are abundant, which creates good feeding conditions for Striped and hybrid Striped Bass, and water temperatures below 70 degrees produce the best fishing. Anglers can find Largemouth Bass in coves, but the best places are Peak Creek, Clapboard Hollow, and large coves in the lower end. Anglers who take notice of shad activity and adjust their methods accordingly are often very successful. The Black Crappie population is not large compared to other lakes, but they typically average nearly a pound. Several cohorts have moved into the fishery following several poor years and should continue to provide increases in typical Anna keeper stripers 20-25. Catfish. On the other-hand, today is a hell of a lot better day. The 2021 electrofishing survey collected 141 perch, but only five were >8. With catches of 20 to 30 pound Carp possible, anglers from as far away as England come to fish for them at Claytor. Both CPUEs were down from 2019 (90/hr.). Buggs Island is also one of Virginias best places to catch crappie with fish over two pounds not uncommon. HSo0~GclTVZl4qd~C[">#1tfp1oxoZAxQFUf*_"7,$=1bIbH0a.R(Df hG"le,,bO,kW&og@gA9n[5 540 980-1488. Campgrounds: YES and bucktails in spring and fall. $uM+(? Bass forage heavily on Gizzard Shad here. Hybrid Striped Bass continue to provide a popular sport fishery, and this system produced a previous state record hybrid. Approximately 17,000 hybrid fingerlings were stocked in 2021. The abundance of hybrids in December 2021 net samples was average, but the majority of fish were over 20 and legal. Cabins & Lodges For more information on camping, cabins and lodges, please visit Claytor Lake State Park's website. Anglers can now keep unlimited numbers of Spotted Bass of any size. Lake Chesdin had a surprisingly high abundance of large males in the 4-5 pound range. The easiest way to get to Harrys Point from I-81 is to take the Route 605 exit (near the south end of Radford), and then follow the brown trailblazer signs to Harry DeHaven Park. This species has generally mirrored largemouth trends closely with overall numbers steadily increasing matching historical highs in 2019. Alongside stunning vistas, the lake features some of the best angling in the area. Subscribe and save by Joining Sportsman's Warehouse newsletter. 603 Bridge at the upper end. 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