Lake Moomaw Overview
An impoundment of the Jackson River, Lake Moomaw lies in the Alleghany
Highlands of western VA. Its 2,530 acres are home to an amazing variety of
gamefish species. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, stocked trout (brown,
rainbow, and brook), crappie, bluegill, pickeral, channel catfish, and yellow perch
all reside in Lake Moomaw. Surrounded by the Gathright Wildlife Management
Area, its 43 miles of shoreline are undeveloped. Several excellent boat ramps and
U.S. Forest Service campgrounds are available. Alewives are the primary forage
fish in the lake.
Highlands of western VA. Its 2,530 acres are home to an amazing variety of
gamefish species. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, stocked trout (brown,
rainbow, and brook), crappie, bluegill, pickeral, channel catfish, and yellow perch
all reside in Lake Moomaw. Surrounded by the Gathright Wildlife Management
Area, its 43 miles of shoreline are undeveloped. Several excellent boat ramps and
U.S. Forest Service campgrounds are available. Alewives are the primary forage
fish in the lake.
Mike Puffenbarger at Maple Tree Outdoors (540-468-2682) reports that the lake
level is full and water temperature is in the upper 50s to 60 degrees.
The fishing for both smallmouth and largemouth bass is excellent. Mike's clients
landed a citation largemouth (24") and a citation smallmouth (20") last week. Key
on depths from 7-8 feet for largemouth and 10-12 feet for smallmouth as the fish
are staging. Note that both citation fish were released.
Yellow perch fishing is good in the mornings with fish still holding around 20 feet
deep. Similar for trout. The trout numbers are down a bit, but some nice-sized
fish are being caught. Chain pickeral are also biting at depths around 17 feet. A
few hot spots are loaded with crappie up to 14" - good luck finding them!
Very good fishing all over the lake - especially in the mornings.
level is full and water temperature is in the upper 50s to 60 degrees.
The fishing for both smallmouth and largemouth bass is excellent. Mike's clients
landed a citation largemouth (24") and a citation smallmouth (20") last week. Key
on depths from 7-8 feet for largemouth and 10-12 feet for smallmouth as the fish
are staging. Note that both citation fish were released.
Yellow perch fishing is good in the mornings with fish still holding around 20 feet
deep. Similar for trout. The trout numbers are down a bit, but some nice-sized
fish are being caught. Chain pickeral are also biting at depths around 17 feet. A
few hot spots are loaded with crappie up to 14" - good luck finding them!
Very good fishing all over the lake - especially in the mornings.
Virginia Outdoors - A Resource for Virginia Anglers and Hunters
Virginia Outdoors - Lake Moomaw
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Fishing Lake Moomaw
Lake Moomaw Fishing Guides
Largemouth Bass: Largemouth bass are primarily found on and around the
shallow flats in the mid-lake regions. Greenwood point, the swimming beach, and
the islands are good places to start. Buzzbaits and jerkbaits around vegetation
work well as do crankbaits and jigs around old roadbeds and structure. Bouncing
crawfish-imitating jigs or jig-n-pig combinations in rocky areas can also produce.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth bass are native to the watershed. They prefer the
steep shorelines and rocky areas in the lake. The area above McClintick Point,
around Coles, and Hughes Draft are reliable spots. Smallmouth are generally
shallow in spring and fall, but move out to 20+' deep in the summer and winter. In
the late spring, many large females move up into the riverine sections of the
Jackson River and Back Creek. When the fish are shallow, buzzbaits and small
jerkbaits are good choices. Any time of the year, it's hard to beat small,
crawfish-imitating jigs.
Trout: Brown trout and rainbow trout are stocked regularly in Moomaw. The fish
tend to live below 15' deep. Deep-water trolling and drifting live bait (alewives or
shiners) are the two most popular ways to target these fish - which commonly
reach 3-5 lbs. Late winter and early spring are the best times to target trout.
Yellow Perch: Yellow perch, normally associated with the tidewater region, grow
large in Lake Moomaw. Moowaw produces citation-sized fish regularly and set the
state record in 1999 at 2 lb 7 oz. They are often caught in the spring by anglers
targeting bass. Drifting minnows in 10' of water in the late winter can also be
effective.
shallow flats in the mid-lake regions. Greenwood point, the swimming beach, and
the islands are good places to start. Buzzbaits and jerkbaits around vegetation
work well as do crankbaits and jigs around old roadbeds and structure. Bouncing
crawfish-imitating jigs or jig-n-pig combinations in rocky areas can also produce.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth bass are native to the watershed. They prefer the
steep shorelines and rocky areas in the lake. The area above McClintick Point,
around Coles, and Hughes Draft are reliable spots. Smallmouth are generally
shallow in spring and fall, but move out to 20+' deep in the summer and winter. In
the late spring, many large females move up into the riverine sections of the
Jackson River and Back Creek. When the fish are shallow, buzzbaits and small
jerkbaits are good choices. Any time of the year, it's hard to beat small,
crawfish-imitating jigs.
Trout: Brown trout and rainbow trout are stocked regularly in Moomaw. The fish
tend to live below 15' deep. Deep-water trolling and drifting live bait (alewives or
shiners) are the two most popular ways to target these fish - which commonly
reach 3-5 lbs. Late winter and early spring are the best times to target trout.
Yellow Perch: Yellow perch, normally associated with the tidewater region, grow
large in Lake Moomaw. Moowaw produces citation-sized fish regularly and set the
state record in 1999 at 2 lb 7 oz. They are often caught in the spring by anglers
targeting bass. Drifting minnows in 10' of water in the late winter can also be
effective.
Lake Moomaw Fishing Report - Updated April 25, 2008
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| Copyright © 2007 Virginia Outdoors, LLC Ruckersville, VA |
Other Useful Links and Info
Bait and Tackle:
The Hitching Post (North End): (540) 279-4179
Bolar Flats Marina (North End): (540) 279-4144
The Bait Place (South End): (540) 965-0633
Camping - Forest Service Campgrounds (call 1-877-444-6777):
Bolar Mountain Recreational Area
McClintick Point
Greenwood Point
Coles Point
Morris Hill
The Hitching Post (North End): (540) 279-4179
Bolar Flats Marina (North End): (540) 279-4144
The Bait Place (South End): (540) 965-0633
Camping - Forest Service Campgrounds (call 1-877-444-6777):
Bolar Mountain Recreational Area
McClintick Point
Greenwood Point
Coles Point
Morris Hill
| Some nice Lake Moomaw fish caught by Maple Tree Outdoors |
| Citation Yellow Perch |
| Brown Trout |
| Citation Smallmouth |
| Featured Article: Where to Catch Virginia's Trophy Largemouth Bass |
