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 lower 40’s throughout the lake on Wednesday
(2/17/2021). The lake level was about 10 inches above the top of the dam
and current was obvious in the upper half of the lake. The water was light
brown and clear to slightly cloudy in the central lower lake, and cloudiness
increased farther up the lake.

Temperature fluctuations over the last two weeks have slowed activity of
most fish species, and the strong current in the upper lake has pushed many
species into areas out of the main current. Most blue cats and bullheads
were along drop-offs and in channels in the main lake. When active, cats
were hitting live minnows and cut bait. Most crappie were on deeper main
lake flats, channel edges, or in channels. Most schools were not very
active, but occasional more active fish were hitting live minnows, small
swim baits on jigs or drop shot rigs, and small blade baits. White and
yellow perch were scattered or in loose aggregates on deep flats and
channels in the main lake and when active were hitting small live minnows,
swim baits, and jigs. Larger bluegill and shellcracker were in channels,
frequently on wood cover, and were mostly inactive. When active, bluegill
and shellcracker were hitting live worms, Nikko nymphs, and small swimbaits.
Pickerel and bass were located along a few shorelines, around cypress trees,
on flats, and on channel edges. When active, bass and pickerel were hitting
live minnows, spinnerbaits, swim baits, stick worms, crank baits, jerk
baits, blade baits, and jigs.