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 mid 30’s throughout the main lake on Wednesday
(2/3/2021). Most of the ice had melted, with small patches remaining in
some small coves up the lake. The lake level was about 5 inches above the
top of the dam and the water was light brown. Water in the lower lake was
slightly cloudy and cloudiness increased farther up the lake.

The rapid water temperature drop from the cold nights last week followed by
the snow Sunday and Monday has shut down a lot of fish activity that will
gradually resume as conditions moderate. 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.