Capt. Art Conway of Conway’s River Rat Guide Service (804-514-1486) out of
Ed Allen’s Boats and Bait reported that Chickahominy Lake mid-day water
temperatures were in the high 60’s in most areas in the lake on Wednesday
(4/8/2020). The lake level was about 2 inches above the top of the dam and
the water was medium brown and slightly cloudy in the central lake.

Many blue cats and bullheads were along drop-offs and in channels in the
main lake, but some were on flats and in creeks. When active, cats were
hitting live minnows and cut bait. Most crappie were in creeks or on flats
near creek mouths, usually on or near wood cover or lily pad roots. Many
crappie were spawning around cypress trees, sometimes in very shallow water.
Active crappie were hitting live minnows, Wright Bait Co. and Southern Pro
curly tail jigs, small tubes, Kalin crappie scrubs, and small swim baits.
White and yellow perch were scattered or in loose aggregates on deep flats,
drop-offs, and channels in the main lake and when active were hitting small
live minnows, swim baits, and jigs. Many bluegill, fliers, and shellcracker
were moving into creeks and holding around lily pads and other vegetation.
When active, bluegill and shellcracker were hitting live worms and Nikko
nymphs, flies, and small swimbaits fished on drop shot rigs. Pickerel and
bass were located around cypress trees, on flats, along shorelines and in
creeks, especially on sunny days. When active, bass and pickerel were
hitting live minnows, spinnerbaits, swim baits, stick worms, crank baits,
jerk baits, blade baits, and jigs.