You also can get helpful information from the Fishing Forecast. Anglers here will find a wide variety of species that can provide an enjoyable day on the water. VDWR biologists use the catch rate of Walleye in annual gill net samples as a measure of relative abundance. Team Supreme. Sterile (triploid) Brown Trout have been stocked as a substitute for diploid browns in past. Claytor Lake Underwater Webcam feed. The flats of Johnson and Lacey Creeks will provide the earliest action each spring. Also sign me up for tips and deals from the Omnia newsletter. The lake was not trap netted in 2021, but the 2020 net survey found the crappie population healthy with an abundance of fish 11-13. 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. The use of outboard engines is prohibited, but trolling motors are permitted. 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. Some VA fishing guides offer guided bass, striper and crappie trips on Claytor Lake. While the increasing bass population coincides with stocking, the primary reasons for the overall increase bass is likely improved forage and good spawning success. The crappie fishery consists of both Black and White Crappie. About 67 percent of the anglers at Claytor Lake fish for black bass. Alabama Bass are found in Claytor Lake. The White Perch and Black Crappie populations continue to provide excitement during late winter to early spring. Sometimes we need some expert advice, or we get caught out on the water later than expected. Many people caught their limits today. We have been steadily picking away at a phenomenal grade of yellowtail all day long. A New River impoundment, this lake offers superb fishing. Within the past five years, Alabama Bass were illegally introduced to the reservoir, and biologists have collected them up to 18. The last three years have shown variability related to water temperature. Spotted Bass are the most abundant, so they are more frequently caught. Other species available for Buggs anglers include Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Walleye, White Bass, White Perch, and Freshwater Drum. Largemouth Bass are abundant with good numbers of fish up to 17. Anglers are encouraged to check out fish habitat reefs that have been recently created by DWR. Claytor Lake, a 4,363-acre impoundment of the New River, stretches northeastward across the Pulaski County countryside for 21 miles. Click here for a Virginia Fishing License. Learn More Claytors steep and rocky shorelines make it particularly good for Smallmouth Bass. Reduced stocking success and regulation changes reduced overall numbers of stripers, but that improved the forage and growth rates. Trolling bucktails and umbrella rigs in 2060 feet of water can produce good catches. %PDF-1.6 % Informational signs about this invasive fish are posted at access points. Bass: 5 per day, only 2 can be less than 14 inches. Looking to find places to wade fish? The Smallmouth Bass population makes up less than 10% of black bass but still contributes to the fishery. Poor habitat (low oxygen at preferred temperature) in summer 2016 caused a striper kill, but the population has started to rebound. The early morning bite consists using top water lures for bass. During fall, winter, and summer, look for schools in the same areas where stripers hang out. and memorable size (> 17) was 5.2/hr. NOTE: Walleye catch rates are on the rise the last two years due to increased stocking in the Staunton River drainage. Unfortunately, the trout fishery has declined dramatically in recent years, and biologists are working diligently to explain this decline. This was an increase from 2020 (62/hr.) Species Caught Here: Bass. The improved population is a result of VDWR fisheries biologists restoring New River strain Walleye to the New River upstream from Claytor Lake. Bluegill are numerous throughout the lake providing action when other species are not biting. of which the largest was 20 and 3.4 pounds. Many larger fish are also caught, and Buggs Island boasts the state and world record Blue Catfish at 143 pounds caught in 2011. The best fishing is on the upper end of the lake and in the lower creek arms, especially during high water in spring. Biologists continue to work on adding fish habitat (brush piles and pallet teepees) in designated areas to improve spawning and add survival. Brown and Rainbow Trout are stocked as fingerlings annually. Claytor Lake is a top destination for hybrids in Virginia, holding the state record with a 15 pound, 13 ounce fish caught by Don Jessie in March 2016. Rockhouse Marina Bluegill. A robust forage base of Gizzard Shad, Alewife, White Perch and Bluegill support predators here. Look for bass beds in proximity to shallow flooded timber. Trolling bucktails and umbrella rigs in 20-60 of water can produce. Buffalo, Grassy, Bluestone, and Butcher Creeks are very productive for crappie. If you capture a Walleye with a yellow tag, please return it to the address on the tag with a note on the general location where you caught it, when you caught it, if you were fishing for Walleye, and if you kept or released the fish; and well send you a $25 reward. Walleye observed in the 2021 sample were 1527 with an average of nearly 20. Stripers - Still some night fishing from midnight till 2:30 AM bucktails and rapalas F-18 still the baits of choice. All Rights Reserved. However, survival of triploids may be lower than diploids traditionally stocked. A total of 13 Largemouth Bass over 20 were collected during 2020 sampling, indicating the lake is still producing good numbers of memorable bass. The 2021 survey yielded a CPUE-P of 14.4/hr. 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, 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. Topwaters, plastic worms an Of those, 94% were legal (>10). Dublin, VA 24084 Claytor Lake provides a lot of different fish for the beginner and experience angler such as carp, black bass, smallmouth and largemouth bass. 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. Anglers report catching a number of trophy Yellow Perch (> 1 pound, 4 ounces or 12) each year. Recent creel surveys estimated very high voluntary release of Largemouth Bass over 99%, which undoubtedly is helping keep mortality rates low (about 24%). The survey yielded 65 Largemouth Bass for a catch rate of 39/hr. Enter your email address to get 10% off your first order. Gloucester County Parks & Rec. Brown trout to almost six pounds are being caught on live minnows at night, under the lights. Population metrics describing abundance and size structure of Lake Anna Largemouth Bass in 2021 were nearly all at record levels (again). However, only Walleye were stocked since 2016, and this fishery declined to a level similar to historical populations. 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! Smallmouth now outnumber largemouth in many areas. 280 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<551E622641CEE34F8CCF593BD61F3844>]/Index[259 47]/Info 258 0 R/Length 106/Prev 425427/Root 260 0 R/Size 306/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream So, what type of fish are in this lake? There are now four cohorts of hybrids at-large, and survivors of the original group stocked in 2014 are getting quite large and could give Claytor Lake a run for the hybrid Striped Bass state record soon. The Black Crappie population is riding a big-fish cycle. Limits of rockfish and 21 lingcod. The reservoir has numerous arms and coves with plenty of area for anglers to explore with steep shoreline drops and clear water. 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 Fishing reports from Ed Allens refer to numerous large blues over the last few years. Anglers can keep unlimited numbers of Spotted Bass of any size. Flathead Catfish up to 30 pounds, and Channel Catfish up to 15 pounds can be caught. Convenience Store: YES Fortunately, Walleye were stocked in Flannagan in 2019 and 2020 which should help the population rebound soon. Lake Anna is one of several large reservoirs in Virginia under evaluation for supplemental F1 (original cross between Northern and Florida) Largemouth Bass stocking. Make your fishing dreams come true today and tomorrow. DWR has returned to stocking diploid Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout at historic densities. Claytor Lake Subscribe to Receive Fishing Report Updates Rating - Good Stripers, 14-16 pounds, are taking live shad. However, Briery Creek still boasts a unique combination of size and number of Largemouth Bass. For quite some time, Sandy River Reservoir has played second fiddle to its sister lake, Briery Creek, just down the road. Bluegill are always plentiful in South Holston and will provide excellent fishing opportunities in summer when fishing success for other species slows in warmer water. In partnership with Appalachian Power Company, Claytor Lake State Park, Friends of Claytor Lake, and the Virginia BASS Nation, DWR fisheries biologists have worked to enhance fish habitat across Claytor Lake. Early morning The second cohort is in the 1620 range, and the third cohort produces fish > 20. The 2020 survey was consistent with past years showing an abundance of medium size Bluegill and Redear Sunfish. Eighty-three percent were over 12, and 44% exceeded 15. Since implementation of a 16-24 slot limit, abundance of bass in the slot has tripled and remained consistent. This species has generally mirrored largemouth trends closely with overall numbers steadily increasing matching historical highs in 2019. Several cohorts have moved into the fishery following several poor years and should continue to provide increases in typical Anna keeper stripers 20-25. Leesville Lake has historically produced a marginal Walleye population, but experimental saugeye stockings 2013-2015 worked better. This lake has historically been predator heavy with an abundance of bass, Black Crappie, Chain Pickerel and Bowfin. Large Mouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass are on there summer patterns and have pulled off to deep points and structure. "Just outstanding fishing on those Yellowtail. Recent creel survey data indicate anglers target Smallmouth Bass in cooler months and Largemouth Bass in warmer months, as habitat use and catchability changes. placing Chesdin in first place again for all district lakes. During spring 2019 electrofishing, 69% of the Largemouth Bass collected over 8 inches While there is no minimum for largemouth, the Smallmouth Bass minimum size is 14. Those numbers declined slightly in 2020 and 2021 but are still well above levels observed in the mid-2000s. During summer, habitat (combination of temperature and dissolved oxygen) forces Striped Bass to occupy the lower end of the lake (the dam to about Buoy 9 and in the mouth of Nutbush Creek). WebThe three black bass species in Claytor Lake are regulated by a 12 inch minimum size limit and anglers may harvest five per day (all three species combined). 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; 305 0 obj <>stream The 21-mile-long lake is filled with largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, along with other sport fish. Prepare for success with accurate data about the type of g0u70FWMirYfuT54['D+ cg0h 5s[{O}'+? |tdOG/EOE$3N21GV#X^2|R2~bw >KH(@2\$b,JBV9Ty{i|0Vq1Mt@. The 2019 survey revealed the highest catch rate of preferred-sized bass ( 15 inches) with a CPUE of 50/hr., while the 2020 survey came back down to earth at 16/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. White bass are schooled, taking topwater baits. Lures that imitate fish are the best choice for Largemouth Bass, but they may also hit crayfish imitations. Anglers who put enough time in can usually find hot spots and catch quality limits. Techniques and lures that mimic crayfish are most likely to be successful in producing catches of these fish. Surveys in 2021 followed up on fast growing saugeye with females pushing 4-4.5 pounds in just 2.5 years. and memorable size (> 20) was 0.4/hr. Buggs Island is also one of Virginias best places to catch crappie with fish over two pounds not uncommon. Bluegill: 50 per day no length restrictions. If those times wont work for you, 12:00AM to 12:00AM looks promising. Anglers are encouraged to continue practice catch-and-release of trophy-size bass from the lake. Learn More, Get Special Offers Delivered Right to Your Inbox. The catfish fishery has become dominated by a world-class Blue Catfish population with many fish from 5-30 lbs. Wish us luck, 0 Anglers can explore over 60 miles of shoreline in search of bass, crappie, walleye, catfish, stripers, hybrid striped bass, perch, bluegill, white bass and sunfish. Some VA fishing guides offer guided bass, striper and crappie trips on Claytor Lake. Several boat launch ramps, some for a small fee and some for free, are scattered around the lake. Anglers are encouraged to switch over from bass to perch and crappie. Outside edges of Hydrilla provide great locations to catch bass, Chain Pickerel, and sometimes Black Crappie. Fishing has also become a major attraction at Claytor Lake. Bass and catfish are "biting like crazy". Bait & Tackle: YES Since then, trophy bass potential has declined slightly as a result of several factors including reservoir aging, bass virus, and the introduction of Hydrilla. 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). 29 yellowtail, 44 reds, and 100 whitefish. In early spring and fall, Walleye and Hybrid Striped Bass may use them as well. Brown trout to almost six pounds are being caught on live minnows at night, under the lights. Claytor Lake Good 09/21/2022 Stripers, 14-16 pounds, are taking live shad. The 2021 survey revealed similar results with few fish over 6. WebFishing at Claytor Lake, Virginia Fishing has also become a major attraction at Claytor Lake. You are trying to access a feature that requires a Fishidy account. And Black crappie nearly all at record levels ( again ) and changes! 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