Walleye Forcast 2010
Walleye are native to the Clinch River, and are available in low densities throughout most of the river. Walleye have been stocked into the Clinch River each year since 2005, and sampling catch rates are notably improved. Consistent stocking should improve fishing opportunities over the next few seasons. For now, anglers should focus their efforts at the times and locations that concentrate walleyes. For example, during March walleyes often congregate for spawning. Most of the walleyes from several miles of river will gather in one or two locations. Spawning walleyes usually congregate in pools just downstream of significant ledges and shoals during daylight hours and then they move into shallow water at night to spawn. Another good location is where a creek enters the river. These types of locations will also be concentrate walleyes during the hot summer months when water temperatures rise and dissolved oxygen levels become a concern. Tributary creeks often have cooler temperatures and the water just downstream from shoals and ledges often has more oxygen as a result of aeration that takes place as water drops over the ledges. Walleyes are almost always more active in low light conditions. Try to fish at dawn and dusk, or even at night if you can fish safely. If you can only fish during the daytime, try to fish when clouds, rain or murky water limits light penetration. Under these conditions, walleye will be more active during the daylight hours.
Local Reservoirs
South Holston Reservoir
South Holston should provide great walleye fishing in 2010. Reservoir levels were much higher throughout the season in 2009. Based on angler reports this didn’t make the walleyes any easier to catch. However, sampling conducted in 2009 indicated that the walleye population is still in great shape. This reservoir provides year-round fishing opportunities for walleyes. A spring “run” takes place in the South Fork Holston River near the community of Alvarado from late February through April. Fishing generally peaks during mid-March. Most anglers fishing the headwaters area fish at night with floating minnow baits like the number 9 or number 11 Rapala. Some anglers use jigs or jigs tipped with live bait. During April, May and June anglers find walleyes feeding along the shorelines of the lake. Again, shallow running lures fished at night is the preferred presentation. When walleyes move deeper during the summer months, many anglers have success trolling nightcrawler harnesses on leadcore line or bottom bouncers during the daytime. Trollers usually concentrate their efforts at depths between 15 and 25 feet during the summer months. Some anglers also catch walleyes at these depths using jigging spoons. Points and flats are the most popular locations, but any shoreline with fairly consistent depths could produce walleyes. Fall fishing is definitely growing in popularity. The same lures and techniques used in the spring can be successful when the water cools down in September and October. Winter fishing calls for jigging spoons or jigs and live minnows. The winter months provide an interesting opportunity for anglers to fish for walleyes when other fishing opportunities and outdoor activities in general are limited. Very few anglers are taking advantage of the winter walleye fishing opportunities. Our sampling indicates that the walleyes are fairly active in the winter months, particularly the month of February. Since 2008, we have spent a considerable amount of time on South Holston Reservoir during February collecting walleyes for the statewide tagging study. We have collected decent numbers of fish along the shoreline in relatively shallow water (less than 10 feet) the first two weeks of February. Good numbers of walleyes and some really big female walleyes are moving around the reservoir and often are congregated along certain shorelines by mid to late February. These congregations seem to move on a daily basis. A particular bank may hold great numbers of fish one day and have almost no fish the next day. Big females can be found along the lake’s upper shorelines through mid-March. Most of the male walleyes move into the river by early March.
Anglers should note that there is an 18-inch minimum length limit in effect for walleye in South Holston Reservoir, and in the Middle Fork and South Fork Holston Rivers. Biologists will be tagging walleyes in South Holston Reservoir again in 2010 as part of a statewide study. A cash reward of 20 dollars is offered for the return of the tag and catch information. Anglers can remove the tag by cutting through the monofilament attachment with scissors or a knife. The fish can then be released or harvested (minimum length limits apply). Return the tag and catch information to the address printed on the tag. Catch information includes: date, time and general location of catch, “Was the fish harvested or released?”, “Were you fishing for walleyes?”, and “Did you catch other walleyes on this fishing trip?”
Flannagan Reservoir
The walleye population in Flannagan Reservoir has made a nice comeback following the fish kill of 2004. The fish kill combined with poor survival of stocked fingerlings in 2003, 2004 and 2005 greatly reduced walleye numbers. Excellent survival of walleye fingerlings stocked in 2006 started the population on the road to recovery. There should be good numbers of walleye over 18 inches this year. Most of the 2006 year class should exceed 18 inches in length. Survival of year classes stocked since 2006 also looks good based on recent sampling.
Walleyes moving into the Pound and Cranesnest Rivers during the early spring months provide some exciting fishing opportunities. The 2009 spring walleye run offered some good walleye fishing for the dedicated group of anglers who fish in the Cranesnest River practically every evening during the spring months. Most anglers use floating minnow plugs and start fishing just before dusk. These anglers seldom catch their limit of walleyes, but obviously catch enough to keep their interest peaked. Some really nice fish were landed in 2009. During April, May and June walleyes can also be caught on shallow running plugs fished at night along the shorelines of the reservoir. It is during these months that alewives, the primary forage of Flannagan walleyes, move into shallow water at night to spawn. Trolling with lead core line is the preferred technique after the water temperatures soar in the summer months. A 10 pound, 12-ounce trophy walleye was landed by a Flannagan walleye angler trolling crawler harnesses in June of 2009. Some anglers also catch walleyes fishing with live bait under lights at night. Anglers should note that there is an 18-inch minimum size limit in effect for walleye in Flannagan Reservoir.
Local Small Lakes
Hungry Mother Lake
The lake level at Hungry Mother Lake is back to normal following the dredging project. The dredging project should provide improved fish habitat and boat navigation in the shallow areas of the reservoir. Walleye fishing pressure was lighter than usual in 2009 due to limited access during the important months of April and May. This should mean more walleyes for anglers to catch in 2010. Anglers should note that in 2009 an 18-inch minimum size limit was established for walleye in Hungry Mother Lake.
This 108-acre lake in Southwest Virginia provides anglers with a great opportunity to catch walleyes in a small lake setting. Located in Hungry Mother State Park, the lake is also a great destination for families. The walleye population is increasing steadily. There are good numbers of fish up to about 20 inches, and enough bigger ones to cause anglers to lose some sleep again this year. A few walleyes are caught in late February, but the month of March generally signals the beginning of the walleye fishing season. April, May and June are probably the best three months, and night fishing is generally more productive. Alewives are the primary forage for walleyes in Hungry Mother Lake. During these three months the alewives move into shallow water at night to spawn. The spawning alewives swim in tight circles, creating a swirling noise. Most anglers use artificial lures to imitate the spawning alewives, but live shad, minnows and night crawlers are also effective. After June the walleyes seem to be harder to catch. During July, August and September anglers should concentrate their efforts in water less than 15 feet deep, because oxygen is limited at depths below 15 feet. Live bait will probably produce more strikes than artificial lures during this late summer period. During the day walleyes tend to be close to structure, like submerged trees. At night, or on cloudy days, walleyes move away from structure to feed on suspended schools of alewives.
Biologists will be tagging walleyes in Hungry Mother Lake again in 2010 as part of a statewide study. A cash reward of 20 dollars is offered for the return of the tag and catch information. Anglers can remove the tag by cutting through the monofilament attachment with scissors or a knife. The fish can then be released or harvested. Return the tag and catch information to the address printed on the tag. Catch information includes: date, time and general location of catch, “Was the fish harvested or released?”, “Were you fishing for walleyes?”, and “Did you catch other walleyes on this fishing trip?”
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The State Record Fish Committee of the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries has certified a new state record hybrid striped bass/white bass weighing 13 pounds. This fish was caught from the New River on May 13 by Robert Rakes of Christiansburg, Virginia. This represents the first-ever entry for this category, which required a minimum weight of ten pounds to qualify. Mr. Rakes has been a lifelong hunter, but only started fishing about a year ago. He became interested in fishing for striped bass a few months ago, but, despite extensive effort, had not caught a striper or a hybrid prior to his record fish. Not a bad first fish!
We are looking for writers to submit fishing articles. If you would like to be considered for a weekly feature article please let us know. We are looking for articles ranging from lure selection, equipment reviews, scientific information, and general information on the clinch river. Please post a reply or email josh (at) clinchriverfishing.com if interested.
