Art Conway (804-514-1486) out of Ed Allen’s Boats and Bait reported that
Chickahominy Lake mid-day surface water temperatures were in the upper
40’s in the central lower lake on Friday (2/2/2024). The lake level was
about 6 inches above the top of the dam. The water was light to medium
brown, clear at the surface, slightly cloudy at 1 foot, and quite murky
at 3 feet.
We appear to be in winter patterns overall, since the water has been in
the 40’s for most of the last month and a half, but has been below and
above that periodically. The following patterns were consistent for
several weeks prior to the high, murky water followed by the freeze
several weeks ago. As conditions stabilize, these patterns will
probably resume.
A few small blue cats, channel cats, and bullheads have been scattered
on flats, along drop-offs, and in channels in the main lake and in some
creeks, and when active have been hitting live minnows and cut bait.
Occasional small to medium crappies have been on wood cover on deep
flats and on channel edges in the main lake, but most crappies have been
in deeper areas in channels. Crappies have been relatively inactive,
but when active have been hitting live minnows, Gulp minnows and Gulp
Fry, and occasionally hitting tubes, curly tail grubs, small swim baits,
and wet flies. White perch and a few yellow perch have been scattered
or in loose aggregates on deep flats, channel edges, and in channels in
the main lake, and when active have been hitting small baits including
live minnows, Gulp minnows and Fry, and swim baits. Small bluegills
have been in channels and have usually been inactive, but occasionally
hitting small Gulp baits on dropshot rigs. Some pickerel and largemouth
bass have been on flats and on channel edges in the main lake. When
active, bass and pickerel have been hitting live minnows, spinnerbaits,
swim baits, stick worms, crank baits, and jerk baits.
Fishing with Art Conway today, Sandra Rothrock had 15 crappies and 4
white perch. Based on sonar, most fish appeared to be close to or on
the bottom.
