Photo by Ron Sinfelt

By Marc N. McGlade

In Virginia, one thing's for certain: It's either too hot, too cold, too wet or it's too dry. During 2002, we hardly received a lick of rain, despite many people doing their best version of a rain dance. In 2003, the Commonwealth experienced record-setting rain that followed the fierce drought from the previous year. Weather comes and goes, but one thing that appears to remain constant is a quality statewide largemouth bass fishery. As per usual, we solicited the input of our fisheries biologists to shed some light on Virginia's favorite freshwater species.

It was last sampled in May of 2003 using electrofishing gear. The bass population was found to be in good shape, and the population characteristics exhibited an almost uncanny resemblance to the results of previous surveys.

"This equates to consistently good bass fishing," Farooqi said. "Good habitat, water quality and a forage base consisting mainly of gizzard shad and blueback herring help to maintain this fishery.

"In contrast to previous surveys, sampling sites in the lower part of the reservoir were more productive than the upper sites," he said.

Farooqi acknowledged another lake in the region was worthy of ink. The fishery in Chandler's Millpond (Westmoreland County) has had a somewhat checkered history. Its development has been hindered by an influx of black crappie and flier, said the biologist.

"An overabundance of these species has had a negative impact on largemouth bass recruitment," Farooqi said. "To remedy this situation, catch-and-release fishing has been made mandatory for bass and supplemental stocking has been carried out.

"Since 1998, we have documented a decrease in the abundance of flier and crappie and an improvement in the catch rate and population of bass. The last electrofishing survey was carried out in May 2003, and the results showed the improvement in the bass population has been maintained."

In addition to the increase in abundance of fish in the 15- to 20-inch size range, the abundance of juvenile fish was encouraging. Farooqi said the largest fish in the sample was 21 inches in length and weighed 5.8 pounds, but anglers reported catching bass up to 7 1/2 pounds.

"Lake Prince boasts one of the most healthy largemouth populations of the municipal water supply lakes in Suffolk. Records indicate well over 125 trophies have been reported since 1998, with the largest weighing 9 pounds, 7 ounces," said Chip Long, a fisheries biologist from VDGIF's Chesapeake office.

Lake Prince largemouths have a diverse menu selection. Long indicated bass dine upon gizzard shad, bluegill, redbreast and probably anything else they can catch.

"In my opinion, Prince offers some of the best bass-fishing opportunities in southeast Virginia and it's my top choice," said Long. "Largemouth bass are plentiful with numerous fish in the 3- to 5-pound class."

Lake Cohoon is Long's other pick. He indicated VDGIF catch rates were the best in the district in 2003 at 78 fish per hour.

"Several fish between 5 and 7 pounds were seen during our spring electrofishing sample," he said.

Other quality Region 1 spots include Western Branch and Little Creek reservoirs and the tidal section of the mighty James River.

"Smith Mountain has had setbacks recently (in the forage) with the threadfin kill last winter," Wilson said. "Threadfin shad made up about 80 percent of the shad forage base and nearly all the threadfin died due to the cold winter. The gizzard shad rebounded during the summer of 2003 to fill the niche created by the threadfin loss, but there were several months of low shad densities and the numbers are still not where they should be."

Actually, Wilson believes it could have negatively affected the bass population at this southwestern bass fishery, but anglers in this region know from experience that fat bass are common during March. It should still be on the short list for bass anglers.

"According to our creel survey on Smith Mountain Lake during 2003, fishing pressure was very low during the spring due to bad weather and was about normal in the summer," Wilson said.

A perennial favorite, Southside's Buggs Island Lake always makes the largemouth forecast, for good reason. Virginia's largest lake is a tournament destination for local, regional and national bass circuits because of its size and tendency to produce 2- to 6-pound bass.

Vic DiCenzo, fisheries biologist with VDGIF, said, "Largemouths have an assortment of gizzard and threadfin shad, alewives and blueback herring from which to choose for meals."

With options like that, it's no wonder these bass sport rotund bellies. However, DiCenzo said VDGIF has struck out four-straight years in terms of sampling for largemouths due to poor spring conditions.

The 2001 creel survey was good, supported by reports from tournament anglers. The only negative appeared to be a slight decrease in bass over 3 pounds.

Although Buggs is a great fishery, DiCenzo kept touting two small lakes in Farmville: Briery Creek and Sandy River. Sandy River Reservoir has an abundance of bass with a good population of 5-pound individuals and Briery Creek's reputation as a top bass lake is well founded.

"When we electrofished Sandy, we found them on the banks, points, flats, coves - everywhere!" DiCenzo said. "There were many specimens from 3 to 7 pounds."

The biologist said catch rates are excellent and spring is definitely the best time to catch bass. Good fishing is available lake-wide; VDGIF didn't find a bad stretch anywhere on the lake.

During the creel surveys conducted at Briery Creek Lake, anglers reported an increase in 14- to 20-inch fish. There's a slew of 16-inch bass and biologists feel it's because of the regulation changes to a 14- to 24-inch slot.

The spring of 2003 was slightly off for trophies, but part of that is likely due to the crazy weather during that period.

"When weather is consistent," DiCenzo added, "trophies are much more abundant because the fish are not moving in and out of the deep and shallow water."

DiCenzo said this lake is still the best option for trophy bass in the state. He advises anglers try jig-and-pig combinations or live minnows when the water temperature is in the 50s, but as it warms, he recommends tossing soft plastics around vegetation.

Folks familiar with Southside know very well that Lake Gaston is capable of coughing up big bass throughout the springtime, too. With stable and consistent weather, 2004 should be no different for Virginia's third-largest lake.