Capt. Art Conway of Conway’s River Rat Guide Service (804-746-2475) out of
Ed Allen’s Boats and Bait reported that Chickahominy Lake mid-day water
temperatures were in the low to mid 50’s in the main lake and mid to high
50’s in the major creeks on Wednesday (3/22/2017). The lake level was a few
inches above the top of the dam. The water was light brown and moderately
cloudy in the central lower lake.

Most blue cats and bullheads were on flats and channels in the main lake and
scattered in creeks and hitting live minnows and cut bait. Most crappie had
vacated the creeks and were along drop-offs and in channels in the main
lake, especially near wood cover, but should soon return to channels in the
major creeks. Most crappie were scattered rather than in large schools, and
many appeared inactive. Active crappie, mostly up the lake, were hitting
live minnows, Wright Bait Co. and Southern Pro curlytail jigs, small tubes,
Kalin crappie scrubs, blade baits, and small swim baits. Small to medium
yellow perch (some still egg-laden) and white perch were scattered or in
loose aggregates on some main lake flats and channels and in some creek
channels and were hitting live minnows, small swim baits, and small jigs.
Bluegill and shellcracker were along channel edges in the main lake and were
occasionally hitting small jigs, Nikko nymphs on drop shot rigs, small swim
baits, and live worms. Most bass, pickerel, and bowfin were on flats or
along drop-offs in the main lake, or in channels near mouths of major
creeks. Bass activity has been sporadic, but usually better with more
stable conditions, and should improve with warmer conditions. When active,
bass and pickerel were hitting live minnows, spinnerbaits, swim baits, stick
worms, crank baits, suspending jerk baits, and jigs.

Fishing with Capt. Conway, Tom Porter had 22 crappie, 1 yellow perch, 1 blue
cat, and 1 pickerel.