Capt. Art Conway of Conway’s River Rat Guide Service (804-514-1486) out of
Ed Allen’s Boats and Bait reported that Chickahominy Lake mid-day water
temperatures were in the high 50’s (down from the 60’s) in most areas in the
lake on Wednesday (4/1/2020). The lake level was about 10 to 12 inches
above the top of the dam and the water was medium brown and slightly cloudy
in the central lake.

Many blue cats and bullheads were along drop-offs and in channels in the
main lake, but some were on flats and in creeks. When active, cats were
hitting live minnows and cut bait. Most crappie had left winter areas and
were moving into warmer water in the creeks and on flats near creek mouths,
but some were on wood cover along channel edges near creeks. Crappie in the
creeks were scattered, with many on or near wood cover or lily pad roots and
others in channels. Active crappie were hitting live minnows, Wright Bait
Co. and Southern Pro curly tail jigs, small tubes, Kalin crappie scrubs, and
small swim baits. Trolling with jigs and other lures was frequently more
effective than casting. White perch were scattered or in loose aggregates
on deep flats, drop-offs, and channels in the main lake and when active were
hitting small live minnows, swim baits, and jigs. Some bluegill, fliers,
and shellcracker were in channels and were inactive, but others were moving
into creeks. When active, bluegill and shellcracker were hitting live worms
and Nikko nymphs, flies, and small swimbaits fished on drop shot rigs.
Pickerel and bass were located around cypress trees, on flats, along
shorelines and in creeks, especially on sunny days. When active, bass and
pickerel were hitting live minnows, spinnerbaits, swim baits, stick worms,
crank baits, jerk baits, blade baits, and jigs.

Fishing with Capt. Conway, Tricia Pearsall had 10 crappie and 1 pickerel.