Photo by Ron Sinfelt

By Mark Fike

Bream fishing is where most anglers began wetting a line as a youngster. Many fond memories revolve around a can of worms, a float and a string of pan-sized fish caught at a pond or lake. What many are finding is that the fun does not end simply because they have grown up and learned how to catch other species of fish. Bream are cooperative much of the time, even when bass or crappie are not. The gear used for bream is simple and inexpensive so that everyone can afford to fill a stringer. The best thing about bream fishing in Virginia is that a good fishery exists in each region and the fishing is fine, especially this time of year.

Mukhtar Farooqi is the fisheries biologist who does the studies of VDGIF waters in the region. Farooqi reported to us that Gardy's had an abundant number of bluegills in the 6- to 8-inch range.

"After looking at the data from 2001 and comparing it against the data we collected in 2002, I found consistent population figures, which is a good sign. Relative weight for the bluegills in Gardy's is good and the number of fish there makes it a good destination for anglers in search of quality fish."

Farooqi also noted that the largest bluegill he had shocked was over 10 inches, which is huge for a bluegill.

The 76-acre pond is quiet and perfect for both the serious angler and the casual angler who just wants to relax and have some fun. The lake does have a boat ramp and pier. There are numerous blowdowns and logs in the water, which is fairly shallow. Anglers seem to do the best along the right side of the parking lot and on the opposite shoreline from the parking area. Try worms and crickets for the best results during an early-summer trip.

Chip Long, a fisheries biologist who works the southern portion of the Tidewater Region for VDGIF, points to Western Branch Reservoir as the place for serious panfish anglers to wet a line. Historically, the 1,579-acre waterway has been a good producer of redear sunfish.

"During the mid-1990s, as many as 800 citations were reported in one year. However, many anglers have continued success catching large redears even though overall abundance appears to have declined somewhat in recent years," Long reports.

One theory as to why the number of citations has dropped off is the fact that citations now cost anglers $4 each and many bream anglers are satisfied to take the fish home and eat them. Some anglers believe the fishery may be overfished. More studies are needed to determine if the fishery is indeed on the decline.

At the present time, the growth rate of redear sunfish in Western Branch Reservoir is comparable to other lakes in the district, with fish reaching 10 inches and over 1 pound by age 3.

Long points out that finding redear sunfish can sometimes be difficult, but it has been reported that by trolling the creek channels (one channel can be easily located by following the aerators installed by the city of Norfolk) with night crawlers on bottom bouncers, anglers can locate fish. Redears favor spawning in areas of 8 feet or less water; anglers should target protected shoreline with live bait or small 1/16-ounce jigs.

For more information on fishing the Tidewater Region, call (757) 253-7072.

Mill Creek Reservoir is a medium-sized water at 189 acres. It is a mountain lake located in Amherst County.

Dan Wilson is one of the fisheries biologists who manage the impoundments in the Southside. Wilson offered some insight into Mill Creek Reservoir fishery.

"The sunfish population is comprised of primarily bluegills, but redear sunfish are also present. The high reproductive capability of sunfish has offset angler harvest effects on population size, but the heavy fishing pressure has reduced the number of large sunfish. However, there is still good sunfish fishing available with fish up to 8 inches for those panfish enthusiasts."

Wilson notes that the average size of bluegills in Mill Creek is 7 inches. There are larger fish that tend to grow to just over 8 inches. Wilson suggests that anglers drop their lines near woody structure, such as beaver lodges or woodpiles. Wilson often uses mealworms when fishing for bream at Mill Creek. A light wire hook is a good way to use these worms. Mealworms will keep in a refrigerator for weeks if they are not used in one trip. Mill Creek is best accessed with a johnboat or canoe in order to reach the better fishing, as bank-fishing opportunities are limited.

Facilities at Mill Creek include picnic tables and grills, restrooms, playgrounds and boat ramps. Outboard motors are prohibited.

The impoundment can be accessed by taking Route 60 west of Amherst to Route 788, and then follow the signs to the desired water.

Shifting to the east in the Southern Piedmont Region, we find that Nottoway Lake, at 188 acres, is a great place for panfish. This lake is located near Blackstone.

According to Vic DiCenzo of VDGIF, Nottoway has plenty of good shoreline structure and vegetation that helps the fishery and provides many opportunities for both boat and shoreline anglers.

"Bluegill and redear sunfish offer anglers in the spring a fantastic bank-fishing opportunity. Spawning fish congregate in the spring on the shoreline along the dam where they are easily accessible. There are abundant numbers of both species weighing up to one-half pound and the number of larger fish between 8 and 10 inches has been increasing over the last several years. This trend is expected to continue. Overhanging trees and submerged structure offer the best cover in which to find either of the sunfish species. Live bait such as worms and crickets, jigs and small crankbaits are the best lures for catching fish in the spring and summer months."

Fly-casting to bedded bream is also a productive means of filling a stringer or cooler with these tasty and colorful fish.

For more information on fishing in the Southern Piedmont, call (434) 525-7522.