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 middle to upper 60’s in the lower lake and major
creeks on Wednesday (5/13/2020), and were typically higher at the surface
versus 18 inches below the surface. The lake level was about even with 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 on deeper main lake
flats near creek mouths or on channel edge brush piles. 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 flats and drop-offs in the
main lake and creeks and when active were hitting small live minnows, swim
baits, and jigs. Some bluegill, fliers, and shellcracker along main lake
shorelines, 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.