While on the water, the biologists found that the best area to target fish was outside the mouth of Timber Swamp Creek on the western side. Most of the fish caught during this time were schooling in 4 to 5 feet of water. Another area that was loaded with crappie was the area just across from the boat ramp. The points here and along the Wahrani Swamp Creek arm were also productive.

Herrmann reported that the action in Diascund heats up early beginning in middle to late March. These speckled panfish will be found near the shoreline from late March to late April and possibly into early May as they complete spawning. Additionally, Herrmann reminded anglers to try various points to narrow down the search for the largest concentration of crappie.

The Diascund Reservoir is the water supply reservoir for Newport News. The ramp is free and open to the public, but there are no outboard motors permitted here, a regulation that is typical of water supply lakes. Anglers may use the reservoir one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Contact VDGIF at (804) 843-5968 for more information.

SOUTHERN PIEDMONT
Two very famous bass waters, Buggs Island and Briery Creek Lake, always dominate the Southern Piedmont news. When it comes to crappie fishing, the same is true. Both waters are great crappie destinations, though for different reasons.

While Buggs Island is humongous at 48,900 acres, Briery Creek is much smaller and chock-full of vertical structure, which is great for crappie but makes it tough on anglers to find the fish. The result for the crappie in Briery is that their longevity is better and the population is very stable despite the smaller size impoundment and high fishing pressure.

Vic DiCenzo is the source we turn to for the latest news on both waters. DiCenzo studies the waters intensely each year and knows them both like his back yard.

“Buggs has a great catch rate for black crappie. In fact, it is almost 10 times what Briery is and Briery is considered an excellent crappie lake.”

Both waters have a very stable crappie fishery. Anglers have counted on both locations to produce nice fish in the 12-inch range for quite some time. These two waters stand out from other crappie destinations for this reason.

At Buggs Island, the forage is shad, particularly threadfin shad. Successful anglers that fish Buggs in March and April target coves with shallow water and cover. Brushpiles, fallen trees and even docks make good places for crappie to congregate.

According to DiCenzo, the average black crappie at Buggs is nearly 1 pound and measures 12 inches. White crappie, which account for only five percent of the population, grow a bit larger, averaging between 1 pound and 2 pounds. Anglers who fish Buggs (and know where to go) will find that catching a few dozen fish each day is not unusual.