MOUNTAIN LARGEMOUTH IMPOUNDMENT FAVORITES
The mountain portion of the state does not boast a largemouth mecca per se, but there are some very consistent producers of bucketmouth bass. These include Lake Frederick (117 acres), the main stem of the Shenandoah River and some Forest Service lakes that vary in size but are generally 50 acres or less.

Steve Reeser drives up and down I-81 keeping track of the waters in the northern portion of this rugged region. His first choice was Lake Frederick.

"For 10 years, Lake Frederick has been a consistent producer of many species of fish, which include largemouths, bream and crappie. The record largemouth that came from Frederick was over 11 pounds and we know that the lake gives up 8- to 10-pound fish each year. We regularly shock up 6- and 7-pound bass during our sampling efforts."

Two- and 3-pound bass are also common at Frederick and that is why it is a favorite for anglers in this region. According to Reeser, bluegills are the base forage for largemouth bass in Frederick because there are no shad in the lake. The bluegill population's size distribution is in good shape, too, thanks in part to the pressure from bass.

Although some anglers may find Frederick tough to fish because of its clear waters and steep sides, the lake does offer good fishing opportunities. Reeser noted that the uplake arms are good starting points.

"The two arms that make up the uplake portion of the impoundment do have some standing timber left in them. Some of the timber has broken off and is still submerged, offering additional cover for bass."

During the spring, the shallower waters can vary in temperature two to three degrees enough to trigger the spawn. Frederick also has a good supply of coontail, which is a rooted vegetation from which bass like to ambush prey. Anglers will find that by fishing the edges of the vegetation, they can score on nice fish. A concession is open seasonally and can be reached at (540) 869-1104. Jeff Wolf runs the concession and can provide daily reports on the fishing.

The main stem of the Shenandoah River suffered a horrible fish kill this past year, but the kill affected mainly redbreast sunfish and smallmouth bass. Largemouth bass dodged the bullet and populations appear to be in good shape, according to biologists. The slow-moving pools of the main stem of the river are not only great spots to fish but also very scenic and offer the angler a chance for a relaxing float through some of the finest country in Virginia.

Largemouths hold close to the debris piles, blowdowns and riprap in the river. Live bait and jigs, plastics and even crankbaits work very well. Catching 2- and 3-pounders is very common on the river. Anglers are cautioned to consult the regulation book for any fish-eating advisories that may be in effect on the river. Sometime ago, the river was polluted with PCBs and mercury and some sections have consumption restrictions on them. You may also visit the department Web site to see the list at www.dgif.virginia.gov.

Finally, some of the most overlooked spots to either catch a trophy bass or just have fun catching 50 or more bass in an afternoon are the Forest Service ponds and lakes in the region. Most of the lakes and ponds are full of smaller fish in the 10- to 12-inch range. Anglers are encouraged to harvest these fish where legal. Reeser recommended Lake Arrowhead, Lake Laura, Sherando Lake and many others as good prospects for anyone wanting to have a blast catching fish in numbers. These lakes are also great places to retreat to a relaxing atmosphere, especially in the summer when fishing pressure goes down after the trout anglers leave.