We depart on Wednesday night and return on Friday night. Claytor Lake State Park Buggs Island (Kerr Reservoir) is located in south-central Virginia and north-central North Carolina. In spring, Striped Bass may be found in the upper end of the lake and in the river above the lake as fish travel upstream to spawn. Helpful identification information is available on the Department website. A robust forage base of Gizzard Shad, Alewife, White Perch and Bluegill support predators here. 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). More information on Briery Creek Lake. Bragging size fish are scarce, but the action is non-stop. The Leesville Lake Largemouth Bass population has been stable for many years. 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, The combined daily creel limit for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass is 5. The Virginia state record musky, walleye and smallmouth bass were all caught in the Sign in to your account to find other friends and anglers who are using Fishidy. No Walleye 19-28 may be kept, and anglers are limited to 2 per day. Dublin, VA 24084 endstream endobj 264 0 obj <>stream Online pricing may vary from in-store pricing. Thirty percent of all Largemouth Bass collected were > 15, and 45% of Smallmouth Bass measured at least 14. Locations and coordinates of fish habitat structures developed since 2012 can be seen in the maps below: Claytor Lake and the New River upstream of Claytor Lake Dam to Buck Dam in Carroll County: Claytor Lake State Park, located on the north side of the lake, provides 497 acres of park with camping, cabins, picnic areas, and a swimming beach, as well as a marina. However, the number of smallmouth collected in 2020 and 2021 declined from previous years. Bass forage heavily on Gizzard Shad here. We have been steadily picking away at a phenomenal grade of yellowtail all day long. Hybrid Striped Bass were stocked in 2013-2015 and 2017-2021, and pure Striped Bass were stocked in 2017 to diversify fishing opportunities. 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 266 0 obj <>stream The current population is fair but improving due to better recent recruitment. Harry DeHaven Park Boat Launch Ramp Walleye. WebNew River (Claytor Dam) Fishing Reports Recently shared catches and fishing spots. Bluegill: 50 per day no length restrictions. 540 731-8683, Mountain 2 Island at the Rock House Marina With catches of 20 to 30 pound Common Carp possible, anglers from as far away as England come to fish here. Anglers can find Largemouth Bass in coves throughout the lake, but the best places to fish are Peak Creek, Clapboard Hollow, and large coves in the lower lake area. The 2021 electrofishing survey was not one of the more productive days on the water. The vast majority of bass were 13-17 with a high proportion 2-2.5 pounds. Bass anglers will find no shortage of casting targets with the lakes abundant standing timber, stumps, and fallen trees. Anglers are encouraged to continue practice catch-and-release of trophy-size bass from the lake. All Rights Reserved. Ideal for swimming, camping, hiking and picnicking, Claytor Lake is known for sport fishing and boating. Anglers are Some nice catches of bass are being made on grubs and Drop Shot. JJ is back in Santa Barbara and today he scored limits of nice Rockfish. Mike Pritchard called from the Tribute with this update. You are trying to access a feature that requires a Fishidy account. Look for bass beds in proximity to shallow flooded timber. Jul 09, 2016 - New River (Claytor Dam) Smallmouth Bass. There are multiple different types of bass in this lake which make it home to some very good fishing. Claytor Lake bait populations (Alewife and Gizzard Shad) are high, aiding in the restoration of the Striped Bass fishery. On the other-hand, today is a hell of a lot better day. This reservoir has historically supported a fair Striped Bass population that has fluctuated for both number and size due to variable recruitment. The pier at Sandy also provides excellent opportunities for crappie and sunfish anglers during spring months. Sampling in spring 2021 revealed good numbers and good size structure. The main sporting varieties are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and striped bass. placing Chesdin in first place again for all district lakes. 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. claytor lake Fishing Report 2023. The 2021 spring survey collected 173 Largemouth Bass for a CPUE of 86/hr. The night survey also yielded a fair abundance of 10-19 bass. Other Non-Gamefish: Certain Restrictions Apply. Sampling in 2018 showed stocked bass only added 6% to years when stocking occurred and only 0.03% to the entire adult population after three years of stocking. hbbd```b``5 i9d fb0Li`q/0LjI;@ Sandy also boasts impressive catfish, sunfish, and crappie fisheries. The early morning bite consists using top water lures for bass. Chickahominy Lake continues to produce an abundance of 4-6 pound Bowfin with a chance at a citation over 10 pounds. Find fishing tackle, live bait, fishing guides, fishing charters, campgrounds, and hotels near Claytor Lake. It may be another year before the trout fishery recovers. While black bass and trout are the mainstay fisheries in Lake Moomaw, anglers should also find favorable populations of Black Crappie, Bluegill, Chain Pickerel, and Channel Catfish. Anglers are encouraged to check out fish habitat reefs that have been recently created by DWR. New to area and looking to spend some time with family along the water and teach em how to fish and be apart of the many wonders more that outdoors has to offer! Species include; largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, hybrid bass, spotted bass, walleye, musky, yellow perch, bluegill, carp, and catfish. Consequently, the striper population needed restructuring. Bluegill. Several cohorts have moved into the fishery following several poor years and should continue to provide increases in typical Anna keeper stripers 20-25. Learn More, 09/21/2022 White bass are schooled, taking topwater baits. 259 0 obj <> endobj In fact, samples from 2019 yielded the highest catch rates for bass > 15 and bass > 20 ever observed on the lake. lake levels, water temperatures, and other important information. 305 0 obj <>stream Wish us luck, for fish over 20. If you have any information, techniques, tips, or fishing reports you would like to submit, please contact us or leave your report in the comments below. The state only stocks smallmouth bass and walleye but there is a fair population of muskellunge in the lake as well. This survey also yielded 14 Alabama Bass (7/hr.) Spotted Bass in Claytor are generally smaller than the other black basses. As Lake Moomaw has aged, it has provided better habitat for Smallmouth Bass. Looking to find places to wade fish? The best fishing is on the upper end of the lake and in the lower creek arms, especially during high water in spring. Since Alabama Bass are not easily distinguished from Spotted Bass, size and creel limits on Spotted Bass are no longer in place at Claytor Lake. Premier Angler - The World Lives Outdoors. There are still some Flathead Catfish, although they are not abundant. Philpott supports a variety of sport fish, but the most popular are Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, crappie, Walleye and various species of sunfish. We absolutely value the experience, perspective, and insight of the talented and dedicated anglers in our online community. Historically rainbows have never been as abundant as Brown Trout, but growth rates are similar. operates Beaverdam Park just northwest of Gloucester. Hours. Anglers are reminded the minimum size for saugeye and Walleye is 18 at 5/day in aggregate. Largemouth Bass eat Bluegill, Alewife, Gizzard Shad, and crayfish, depending on the season of the year and whether these prey are abundant in a given year. The combined creel limit for black bass is still 5 per day. Large Mouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass are on there summer patterns and have pulled off to deep points and structure. This species has generally mirrored largemouth trends closely with overall numbers steadily increasing matching historical highs in 2019. WebClaytor Lake Fishing Reports 103 people follow this lake 23 Fishing Reports Type: Lake/Pond Size: 4073.28 acres Avg. Buford Sparks. During the spring run from February to May, look for Walleye where the New River enters the lake near Allisonia. hXnF5A @[ XLTUn%)6m*>jg9;{sf`X2#Q)az9]I3gBxHLI/!x A1$4^c5[&x4 0E:-4Vbbykk~yUo.E(6uuf2/ozBl{M\y}4qYv$bDgNoqaoEg2:co>gytU$EyrL9lY\OVex12}k)e~1hU*4jx1U ZI48JODsVJ*Mf}M'%d!16TlOKHK The 2021 survey yielded a CPUE-P of 14.4/hr. Little Creek has historically been a difficult place to collect bass during daytime surveys, and the reduced elevation added another complication. Variable stockings over the next five years will occur in efforts to determine if abundance or size structure can be enhanced. information from bait shops, marinas and fishing guides. VDWR biologists use the catch rate of Walleye in annual gill net samples as a measure of relative abundance. Both fish have taken to foraging on Gizzard Shad with larger saugeye from previous stockings still available. The 2021 spring electrofishing survey collected 191 Largemouth Bass for a catch rate of 64/hr. Good catches of crappie and catfish are being taken at night. State Park However, Briery Creek still boasts a unique combination of size and number of Largemouth Bass. The pool was roughly 5 below full at the time of sampling, and its currently down even more now. Pulaski, VA 24301 With the possibility of catching Smallmouth, Largemouth, and Spotted Bass, Claytor Lake is popular with nearly 67% of lake anglers fishing for these three species of black bass. Blue Catfish continue to increase, and anglers have begun to target them. Dublin 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. Catfish. Black Crappie were abundant during 2021, as 295 fish were collected during spring and fall surveys. 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. Fishing reports for claytor lake are updated each week, usually by The 2021 stocking of saugeye will hopefully provide action in the future. 540 643-2500. Bass appeared to be in good health even if the length distribution consisted of several year classes of juveniles. In early spring and fall, Walleye and Hybrid Striped Bass may use them as well. Tournament bass > 4 pounds were 13% stocked. This decline can largely be attributed to missed stocked cohorts in 2016 and 2018 from insufficient hatchery production. Channel Catfish anglers should focus on August, September and October post spawn. 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. Written by the Aquatics Reservoir Committee Team, Edited by John Odenkirk. The Walleye fishery continues to be stable, supported by annual stocking, and the fishery continues to produce good numbers of Walleye > 18. Boat Rental: YES From July 1 to September 15, there is no minimum size limit for Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass and anglers are allowed to keep 4 per day combined. In a beautiful setting, this mountain reservoir called Claytor Lake offers up camping, boating and fishing away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Sport fishing is very popular at Claytor Lake. The early morning bite consists using top water lures for bass. Bragging size fish are scarce, but the action is non-stop. Catfish: 20 per day no length restrictions. Surveys from 2021 depicted a strong Largemouth Bass population with abundant numbers of 12-18 fish (1-3 pounds). The Bowfin population is one of the best in Virginia. Channel Catfish up to 15 pounds are available throughout the lake. Bass and catfish are "biting like crazy".