Art Conway (804-514-1486) out of Ed Allen’s Boats and Bait reported that
Chickahominy Lake mid-day surface water was in the high 50’s to low 60’s
in the lower region of the main lake and in the major creeks on
Wednesday (4/16/2025). Deeper levels in the main lake were also in the
high 50’s, so the recent strong winds seem to have mixed the water
layers. The lake level was about 8 inches above the top of the dam. The
water was light brown, clear to slightly murky in the upper 2 feet, and
murky below 3 feet due to an apparent layer of suspended microscopic
algae.

The developing spring patterns were interrupted by the low temperatures
during several nights over the last week and a half. A few blue cats,
channel cats, and bullheads were still scattered on flats, along
drop-offs, and primarily in deeper regions of channels in the main lake,
but no large groups were observed. Remaining accumulations of crappies
in main lake channels and flats were mostly small fish. Small and
middle-sized and occasional large crappies were in creek channels,
primarily as scattered single fish or small groups. Larger crappies
that had been spawning on wood and lily pads in the upper regions of
major creeks had moved into channels in the creeks and were mingled with
smaller crappies, or had left the creeks. Late last week some larger
crappies were spawning on cypress trees in creek mouths and the main
lake. Crappies were hitting slow trolled minnows or faster trolled
curly-tail grubs. Bluegills and shellcrackers appeared to have
dispersed from deep areas in channels and a few are in creeks after
warmer days. A few scattered pickerel and small bass were in creek
channels or on flats.

Fishing with Art Conway, Tom Porter and Sandra Rothrock caught 16
crappies and 2 chain pickerel.