| Virginia offers several top-quality lakes and | | | | walleye fish. Rivers are a different matter. |
| rivers to fish for walleye. Spawning season | | | | In West Virginia, biologists have recently |
| occurs in early springtime. Walleye leave the | | | | identified a new breed of walleye, the Ohio |
| comforts of deep water and head towards the | | | | River drainage walleye. Fishing officials are |
| shallower depths often found in feeder | | | | working to stock rivers with this new breed |
| streams. Bottom surface conditions are clear | | | | of walleye. |
| and clean. Deeper waters are never far away. | | | | |
| | | | Currently, the Kanawha, Ohio and New Rivers |
| Spawning females require a few days of rest | | | | are greatly benefiting from this new program. |
| following a spawning period. After this, they | | | | The Kanawha River in West Virginia is the |
| are looking for that first meal and the bite | | | | notable place to seek out large sized |
| will be fierce. Spawn and immediate | | | | walleye. Each year, walleye pulled from these |
| post-spawn periods are ideal for anglers to | | | | waters weigh in between eight and fourteen |
| fish walleye. Outside of spawning season, | | | | pounds. Even the best walleye anglers rarely |
| walleye are particular about where they hang | | | | see a walleye of this size. The Virginia |
| out. | | | | record weighing walleye at 17.85 pounds back |
| | | | in 2003 came from this very river. The key to |
| Water temperatures normally fall between 38 | | | | finding these big boys begins with where to |
| and 60 degrees. Water conditions are slightly | | | | start. |
| murky with little or no current movement. | | | | |
| Bottom surface conditions are comprised of | | | | Look to the inlets. As spawning season draws |
| gravel, sand or rocks. Menu choices cover | | | | near, walleye start seeking out shallower |
| small fish, crustaceans, worms and insects. | | | | water levels. To do this, they virtually pass |
| Ideal fishing time is during warm weather | | | | by any available inlet along the way. The |
| months from sundown to midnight. | | | | area below dams, commonly referred to as the |
| | | | tailrace, is another walleye hotspot |
| Virginia lakes cover a solid portion of the | | | | location. When spawning seasons begins to |
| state and each is good size in nature. The | | | | end, turn attention towards deeper water. |
| largest lake in the state is Smith Mountain | | | | Pools and channels along the river course is |
| Lake. This massive lake stands at | | | | where walleye lurk. Ideal times are between |
| 20,000-acres in size and makes home in the | | | | late evening and dark once water temperatures |
| south-central portion of the state in | | | | are on the rise. |
| Penhook, Virginia. | | | | |
| | | | The recent walleye stocking program has done |
| Next is the 10,000-acre South Holston Lake | | | | wonders for the Ohio River. This program is |
| creating the southern border of Virginia in | | | | steadily increasing the quantities and sizes |
| Abingdon. Traveling north, there is Lake | | | | of walleyes. The walleye reside in fast-paced |
| Anna, which is a bit smaller at 9,600-acres. | | | | water conditions of dams and upper pool |
| This lake makes a home in Bumpass, Virginia. | | | | areas. The best fishing technique for the |
| The remaining four Virginia lakes suited for | | | | Ohio River is jigs containing minnows or live |
| walleye fishing are by no means small. | | | | bait. Pair these selections with slip bobber |
| | | | rigs. These two will function together to |
| Claytor Lake stands 4,500-acres in the | | | | keep bait in contact with bottom surfaces. |
| south-west area of the state at Radford, | | | | |
| Virginia. Following this is Leesville | | | | In the Monongahela River, walleye frequent |
| Reservoir. This 3,400-acre lake falls in | | | | slack water pools and channels. Anywhere |
| south-central Pittsville, Virginia. Philpott | | | | along the river course is relatively decent |
| Lake, 2,900-acres, also resides in this area | | | | place to fish for walleye. Other key areas in |
| at Bassett, Virginia. | | | | this river are weed beds. Pay specific |
| | | | attention to bottom structures such as tree |
| Finally, there is Lake Chesdin, at | | | | stumps or rocks. Navigate these structures in |
| 3,100-acres in Petersburg, Virginia. The | | | | as many ways as possible. There is no way to |
| record walleye caught in Virginia is 15 lbs. | | | | tell which direction walleye are facing on |
| 15 ozs. Virginia lakes and reservoirs | | | | any given day. Key times to seek out walleye |
| maintain a healthy level of pre-stocked | | | | are during low light, warm water conditions. |