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| Photo by Matt Reilly |
When the temperatures rise, the
cold winds of March subside, and the warm April showers fill the air and waters
with inklings of summer, the fishing in Virginia takes off.
Lake Robertson
Contained by the Blue Ridge’s
rocky skeleton, Rockbridge County’s 30-acre Lake Robertson is an overlooked place
to catch big fish.
Beaver huts, hinge-cut trees, and
large emerging weed beds provide ample structure for spawning bass; and,
coupled with the crystal clear water, suggest a great place to sight fish for
one of the many 10-pounders.
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| Photo by Matt Reilly |
Walleye also cruise Lake
Robertson, and fish are caught up to seven pounds annually.
Redear Sunfish are particularly
active on Lake Robertson later this month.
Leave an insect imitation
motionless on the lake bottom for a scrappy
fight from one of these bottom feeding customers.
The lake also sports good
populations of Bluegill and Channel Catfish.
Gas motors are prohibited; but a
concrete boat ramp and boat rentals make this gem an accommodating destination
for anyone.
Lake Burke
Located in Burke Lake Park in
busy Fairfax County, 218-acre Lake Burke is one of the most fished lakes in the
state. This threat is met by a strict
management practice to ensure the health of the fishery for years to come.
Lake Burke is known for its Largemouth
Bass fishing; but Musky, Walleye, Bluegill, Crappie, Yellow and White Perch,
and Blue and Channel Catfish all fin the lake.
No gasoline motors are allowed.
Lake Frederick
With or without a boat, Lake
Frederick of Frederick County can provide some great fishing.
Its 117 acres are filled with
standing timber, which hides a multitude of species. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie,
Channel Catfish, Walleye, and the occasional Pike can all be caught from the
bank of Lake Frederick.
Gasoline motors are prohibited,
but if you own a boat with an electric motor, cast to standing timber for one
of the 10-pound Largemouth that gave the lake its reputation as the best bass
fishery in the Shenandoah Valley.
Harrison Lake
If you’re looking for a peaceful
place to fish or paddle, Harrison Lake in Charles City County might be your
next trip. At 82 acres, Harrison Lake is
the epitome of larger tidewater fisheries like Chickahominy Lake.
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| Photo by Matt Reilly |
The usual tidal customers occupy
the lake, including Chain Pickerel, Warmouth, Bluegill and Redear Sunfish,
Flier, Bullhead, Bowfin, Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. While the lake is not known for trophy sized
fish, its inhabitants are known for the sport they provide.
A boat ramp and piers for the
handicap or bank fishermen provide access to the lake.
Germantown Lake
100-acre Germantown Lake is
located in Fauquier County’s Crockett Park.
The small lake is known for its
thick population of trophy Largemouth; and produces several fish a year
approaching 10 pounds.
Germantown also supports the
traditional southern mixed bag of Bluegill, Crappie, and Channel Catfish.
Gas motors are prohibited; but the
park provides boat rentals and a fishing pier.
Skidmore Reservoir
A big part of spring in Virginia
is trout fishing—Skidmore Reservoir offers just that. The 120-acre, Harrisonburg impoundment is a
put-and-grow fishery, and therefore, offers opportunities for excellent Brook Trout
fishing year round. Brook Trout reach
three pounds in the reservoir as a result of good management.
Fisheries biologists have recently
noted an emerging pike fishery within the lake.
These toothy fish spawn in April, and can be caught shallow on spoons.
Skidmore also boasts a host of
warm water species such as Largemouth and Rock Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and
Bullhead.
Gas motors are not permitted on
the lake.
Hungry Mother Lake
Hungry Mother Lake is a very
diverse and unique lake.
The Walleye fishing here takes
off this month, with night fishing yielding the best results.
Trophy Musky are taken from the
lake annually as well—some reaching 48 inches and beyond.
Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted,
and Rock bass all inhabit the lake, as well as Crappie, Channel Catfish, and
Sunfish.
Gas motors are prohibited.
Located in Hungry Mother State
Park, camping is permitted and boat rentals are available. A minimal fee is required to gain access to
the lake; but the promise of great fishing is well worth the charge.
Lake Orange
Spring wouldn’t be spring without
Crappie fishing. Papermouths are in very
good condition in Lake Orange, and offer good sport on light tackle.
The Largemouth Bass population is
just as successful, and the lake has produced 11-12 pound fish.
Lake Orange’s Walleye fishery also
deserves attention. Walleye are stocked
yearly, and anglers have a fair chance to catch 4-5 pound fish.
Sunfish, Channel Catfish,
Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Yellow and White Perch, and Warmouth provide a
further mix of species to the lake.
Gas motors are prohibited; but
boat rentals are available, and a pier provides access to some outstanding
fishing.
Little Creek Reservoir
A small lake in Southeastern
Virginia, Little Creek Reservoir offers quality fishing for the tidal
species: Largemouth and Striped Bass,
Crappie, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch, Sunfish, Blue Catfish, and even Walleye.
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| Photo by Matt Reilly |
Little Creek is a relatively deep
lake containing little structure. Most
fishing is done along points and drop-offs, but in the spring, surprising
Crappie and perch fishing can be found in the shallows.
It is worth noting that gas
motors and bank fishing are prohibited.
Lake Shenandoah
At 36 acres, Rockingham’s Lake
Shenandoah is the second smallest on our list.
What makes this lake special is
its Musky fishing. Most other species in
the lake are of small size; but the Musky thrive in the small impoundment on
small Bluegill. The toothy critters
spawn in April, so catch them on spoons and big spinners near the grass.
Gas motors are prohibited because
of the lake’s size.
Biologists are currently
pondering a renovation of the lake, so have your chance at a trophy Musky
before it’s gone!
Get it Before It’s Gone
April can be a dynamite season
for bass anglers. With the first wave of
spawners moving up onto beds and the water, subsequently, reaching prime
temperatures, largemouth bass and our state’s other favorite fish species are reaching
the apex of activity—and small bodies of water concentrate this action
splendidly. Get out before the summer
heat sets in and land both size and numbers of fish. And always, always, take pictures—and send them in!
First published in Woods & Waters Magazine
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