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 middle
to upper 50’s in the central lower lake on Wednesday (3/20/2024). With
heavy winds today, the water was fully mixed at noon and was within 1
degree from surface to the bottom. The lake level was about 2 inches
above the top of the dam. The water was light to medium brown, slightly
cloudy at 1 foot, and quite murky at 3 feet due to an apparent layer of
suspended microscopic algae.

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 when
active have been hitting live minnows and cut bait. Most crappies
appear to be entering creeks, but may leave or become inactive in
response to cold fronts. The activity level and preferences of crappies
in the creeks have varied a lot over the past several weeks. Some days
they won’t touch minnows but will hit a tube jig suspended under a float
or a curly-tail grub on a jig. Other days they want nothing but
minnows. White perch have been scattered or in loose aggregates on deep
flats, channel edges, and in channels in the main lake and in creeks,
and when active have been hitting small baits including live minnows,
Gulp minnows and Fry, and swim baits. Yellow perch have run up the
river above the lake or into the major creeks and have deposited egg
strands onto submerged brush. Small bluegills had been in channels and
usually inactive, but occasionally hitting small Gulp baits on dropshot
rigs. Increasing numbers of bluegills and shellcrackers have entered
the major creeks and are hitting wet flies and small jigs. Some
pickerel and largemouth bass have been on flats and on channel edges in
the main lake, and increasing numbers are starting to show up in major
creeks. When active, bass and pickerel have been hitting live minnows,
spinnerbaits, swim baits, stick worms, crank baits, and jerk baits.

Catches have varied with weather, with many species becoming relatively
inactive after heavy rains or cold fronts, then gradually becoming more
active as weather moderated. Luca Jones and his Grandad Charley Fasano
had 2 crappies. Tricia Pearsall had 10 bluegills. 1 shellcracker, 9
crappies, 1 white perch, 1 yellow perch, and 5 largemouth bass.