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 low
60’s in the central lower lake on Wednesday (4/3/2024). The lake level
was about 9 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. Many crappies
appear to be migrating out of creeks, but can still be caught by
trolling in the creek channels. 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.
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.