2009 Walleye Fishing Forecast
Reservoirs
Philpott Reservoir
The 2009 fishing season for walleye at Philpott Reservoir should be very good. Philpott Reservoir has one of the better walleye populations in Virginia. There will be a large number of smaller walleye around the 18" minimum size limit this year due to a good year class in 2006. This fishery does not contain many large fish but does support good numbers. Walleye reach 18 inches at about 2.5 years of age and most male walleye grow very slowly after reaching this size. Female walleye typically grow well for another few years with some achieving larger sizes.
Anglers who spend time learning angling techniques that are productive for walleye, find areas that are productive, and fish in the late April through September period should have successful fishing trips. Top water night fishing is very popular and productive in May and June during the alewife spawn. By late June, walleye start moving into deeper water and are caught on nightcrawler harnesses and plugs trolled in deeper water. As water temperatures increase throughout the summer, walleye continue to move deeper seeking cooler water. Anglers must fish deeper throughout the summer to capitalize on this fishery. Catching a few walleye per outing should be considered good and catching a limit of five walleye, a very good trip. The bulk of the population is in the 17-20 inch size range. Approximately 20% of the legal size walleye (18 inches) are over 22 inches and about 15% of the population is over 24 inches. Occasionally walleye are caught in the 6-8 pound range.
Biologists will be tagging walleyes in Philpott Reservoir during 2009 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?"
South Holston Reservoir
South Holston should provide great walleye fishing in 2009. Hopefully water levels will be better than in 2008. 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 February through April. Fishing generally peaks during mid-March. Most anglers fishing the headwaters area use floating minnow baits like the 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 are the favorite presentation. When walleyes move deeper during the summer months, successful anglers troll night crawler harnesses or use jigging spoons to reach the depths. Points and flats with water depths from 18 to 25 feet are popular locations. Fall and winter fishing call for jigging spoons or jigs and live minnows. 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 2009 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 is making a steady comeback following the fish kill of 2004. Excellent survival of fish stocked in 2006 should mean a lot more fish over 18 inches this year. Lots of smaller fish were caught by anglers the last couple of years. Angler catch rates may still not be as good as they were before 2004, but the fishery appears to be well on the way to recovery. Walleyes moving into the Pound and Cranesnest rivers during the early spring months provide some exciting fishing opportunities. Most anglers use floating minnow plugs and start fishing just before dusk. During April, May, and June walleyes can 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 during the hotter summer months. Some anglers also catch walleyes fishing with live bait under lights. There is an 18-inch minimum size limit in effect for walleye in Flannagan Reservoir.
Leesville Reservoir
The 2009 fishing season for walleye at Leesville Reservoir will be challenging. This fishery supports a fair number of large fish but the overall numbers of walleye are lower than most Virginia walleye lakes. The bulk of the walleye population is in the 18-22 inch size range but fish in the 5-6 pound range are not uncommon. Walleye at Leesville have good growth rates and typically reach 18 inches between their second and third year.
The most productive walleye fishing is typically between Leesville Dam and mile marker 6. Night fishing in May and June with floating or shallow running plugs cast to the shoreline should not be overlooked. Walleye often frequent water less than 2 feet deep during these dark hours. During daylight hours, fish the shoreline contour but in deeper water than at night. As water temperatures increase in late spring and throughout the summer, walleye move deeper seeking cooler water. Anglers must fish deeper during the summer to capitalize on this fishery. A very important point to remember is fish deeper in clearer water during the day, regardless of season. Walleye are very light sensitive and prefer dark or shaded habitat. Consequently, anglers need to adjust their tactics accordingly. During daylight hours, many walleye can be found in only a few feet of water if the water is shaded, or stained but will remain deeper during the day if the water is clear. Leesville can be a challenge to due extreme daily water fluctuations but anglers who spend time learning productive walleye angling techniques for Leesville and concentrate on areas and habitat that hold walleye can encounter a number of these elusive fish. Anglers who are looking for solitude and a reservoir that has very light fishing pressure should give Leesville a look.
Small Lakes
Lake Brittle
Lake Brittle continues to be one of the best places in the northern Virginia piedmont to catch a walleye. Angler's targeting walleye report good success at this small impoundment with most fish caught in the 2-3 pound range and the occasional fish up to 5 pounds. Fisheries sampling continues to document good survival of stocked walleye fingerlings and a strong population of walleye up to age-5 reside in Lake Brittle.
Biologists will continue tagging walleyes again in 2009 at Lake Brittle as part of a 3-year tagging study to evaluate angler catch and harvest. 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 a knife or scissors. 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, general location of catch, "Was the fish harvested or released?", "Were you fishing for walleyes?", and "Did you catch any other walleyes on this fishing trip?"
Lake Orange
Anglers hoping to catch a decent walleye while fishing for multiple species should look no further than Lake Orange. Walleye have been stocked into this northern piedmont impoundment for years, and current management includes annual stockings of walleye fingerlings. Generally, survival of stocked fingerlings is good and the current age structure is comprised of fish up to age-15, with most of the population less than age-8. Walleye growth at Orange is fast to age-4, averaging 20 inches and 3 pounds, but growth slows beyond age-4 with fish seldom reaching 26 inches. Anglers occasionally catch walleye in the 6-8 pound range.
Lake Whitehurst
Lake Whitehurst is the most southern and eastern waterbody in Virginia that is actively managed for quality walleye fishing. Anglers should continue to see good numbers of quality fish in 2009. Outstanding numbers of juvenile walleye were collected in November of 2008, indicating an extremely strong year class of walleye will be available to anglers in 2009 and beyond. Excellent numbers of walleye longer than 18 inches were also captured during our spring and fall sampling, and a few trophy fish measuring nearly 27 inches were collected. Typically, early spring and fall in Whitehurst are your best bet to catch walleye in Southeast Virginia. However, an ongoing tagging study suggests that the majority of the walleye caught in Whitehurst are caught in the late spring and summer months. Walleye typically cover a lot of distance in the transitional months (March-May) and (October -December), so anglers should be willing to cover a lot of water to locate fish. Popular fishing methods in Whitehurst continue to include trolling with shallow diving crankbaits on the flats, live minnows or nightcrawlers on bottom walker rigs, and vertical jigging in the deep water areas adjacent to the Norfolk International Airport runway (locally known as "the pits"). Walleye are not able to successfully reproduce in this lake, but approximately 48,000 fingerling-sized walleye are annually stocked in Lake Whitehurst.
Anglers should be on the lookout for tagged walleye in Lake Whitehurst, because 2009 is the second year of a three year walleye tagging 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?"
Hungry Mother Lake
The lake level at Hungry Mother Lake will be lower than usual during late winter and early spring 2009 to facilitate a dredging project. The dredging project will improve fish habitat and boat navigation in the shallow areas of the reservoir. Until the lake refills, boat access will be limited to smaller vessels that can be launched by hand.
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 portions of 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 2009 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?"
Lake Robertson
If your goal is to hook into an occasional walleye while focusing on largemouth bass or catfish, this hidden jewel might be what you are looking for. Lake Robertson was stocked with walleye beginning in 1983, with the intention of controlling the growing sunfish population and adding diversity to the lake. It succeeded in both cases. Today, a small walleye population inhabits this clear impoundment, adding to the robust largemouth bass and channel catfish fishery. In 2006 gill net samples, two walleye exceeding 20 inches were caught and released. This points to a small walleye population, but scattered 'eyes are the norm for Lake Robertson. The largemouth bass population is through the roof, so predation on young walleye is high. Walleye growth, however, is very good. It takes 3 years for fish to reach the 20-inch minimum limit. One Lake Robertson walleye measured 27 inches and 8 pounds, so trophies can be found. A good time to catch a walleye at Lake Robertson is in March or April, before or after the fish have spawned. Since walleye prefer hard substrate, you can best locate these nocturnal creatures near the dam in the spring.
Rivers
Upper New River
Walleye fishing in 2009 should be good on the upper New River from Fries Dam downstream to Allisonia. Crankbaits, jigs, and live minnows are working well and reports from anglers are that walleye are being caught and fishing is getting better. In 2007 and 2008 anglers reported catching 15 trophy walleye in the upper New River with the largest weighing in at 15 pounds and 5 ounces. Catch rates of walleye from sampling in 2008 are high and this should hold for fishing catch rates also. Anglers caught the most walleye in the months of January through March. There is a 20-inch minimum size limit on walleye. So throw back the little ones and catch them again.
Biologists will be tagging walleyes in the upper New River again in 2009 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?"
Staunton River
Walleye fishing in the Staunton River will be excellent in 2009. Anglers should concentrate on the reach from Leesville Dam to Brookneal. There are numerous access points and information is available at the Department's website.
During the late winter and early spring, anglers should explore the area immediately below Leesville Dam. During the remainder of the year, walleye are distributed throughout the river, often hanging along the shoreline near fallen trees. Food is abundant in the Staunton River and anglers should try and imitate the abundant shad, perch, and sucker populations with crank baits. Nightcrawlers are always a safe bet for walleye as well. With the abundant forage base, cool water temperatures from Leesville Dam releases, and the quality habitat, anglers will be pleased with both the number of walleye and the sizes of fish.
Clinch River
Walleye are native to the Clinch River, and are available in low densities throughout most of the river. Stocking efforts resumed in 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 in pools just below significant ledges and shoals during daylight hours, and then move into shallow water at night to spawn. Another good location is where a creek enters the river. Walleyes often move into the mouth of the creeks at dusk to feed on minnows.
More Information
For more information, contact the following offices:
| Waterbody | Contact |
|---|---|
| Leesville and Philpott Reservoirs, Staunton River | Forest Office: (434) 525-7522, Extension 103 |
| Lakes Orange and Brittle | Fredericksburg Office: (540) 889-4169 |
| Lake Robertson | Verona Office: (540) 248-9360 |
| Lake Whitehurst | Suffolk Office: (757) 465-6812 |
| Upper New River and Clinch River, South Holston Reservoir, Flannagan Reservoir, Hungry Mother Lake |
Marion Office: (276) 783-4860 |