Thinking of heading to Sleepy Creek Lake this weekend since the Potomac is going to be to high for me to fish. Sleepy Creek WMA is only about 20 minutes south of me (Falling Waters) so I figured I'd give it a try to get some fishing in. Never been before. Any tips/hints/tricks I need to consider about the lake itself? I'm not even sure where the boat ramps are, but I'm sure I can figure that out. THANKS!!

I hear fishing is rough over there..

Just looked it up on the map as I didn't know that place existed?

 

Allen

I hear fishing is rough over there..

 

 

Yeah, I'm not sure. Suppose to hold some nice size largemouth

Just looked it up on the map as I didn't know that place existed?

 

Allen

 

I've heard of it before, but never been. A buddy and I are going to give it a go sometime this weekend. At least I'll get the cover off the boat.

Just looked it up on the map as I didn't know that place existed?

Allen

Oh come on Allen lol....

I've hear it holds some big bass too, getting anything to bite is the problem I've heard

Fished a couple tournaments there years ago. There were some good ones in there but were few and far between. My best outing there was a night trip in the summer time. Landed about 20, but nothing over a pound.

Historically this lake provided excellent trophy bass, crappie, and northern pike fishing. The 1979-1994 state record largemouth bass was caught from the lake and several trophy citation bass, crappie, and pike have been reported. Trolling deep-running plugs has been a productive method of landing bass, especially in early spring. Best crappie baits are small jigs and minnows while fly fishing can produce nice stringers of bluegill. Best fishing occurs in standing timber areas and around clumps of aquatic vegetation. (West V. Dnr)

They catch bass all winter long threw the ice there and I have herd reports of them catching bass now. Try it out. Don't let people discourage you about it being tough.

Thanks everyone!!

 

Planning on giving it a shot this weekend. Would like to chase some smallmouth on the river, but I'm afraid the water is going to go back up with the rain today and tomorrow that they are calling for. Hoping this will end up being a nice backup for me when the river is too high to fish.

Find out some more infor on that place like boat ramps, etc.? It is close enough for me to hit and a non-resident license isn't that much.

 

Allen

Allen - I have not. I know they have one concrete and 2 gravel ramps. But beyond that I have no idea. I can let you know what it's all about after I go there over the weekend.

Find out some more infor on that place like boat ramps, etc.? It is close enough for me to hit and a non-resident license isn't that much.

 

Allen

http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/public_access.asp?county=Berkeley&type=Lakes&point=I91

http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/public_access.asp?county=Berkeley&type=Lakes&point=I91

 

Found that and saved a copy of the map.

 

Allen

Found that and saved a copy of the map.

 

Allen

I've been wanting to ride over there and check it out , just haven't got a chance

Find out some more infor on that place like boat ramps, etc.? It is close enough for me to hit and a non-resident license isn't that much.

Allen

Again, its been a LONG time since I've been there. The ramps were dirt and gravel back then (VERY basic).

Again, its been a LONG time since I've been there. The ramps were dirt and gravel back then (VERY basic).

 

Like Big Pool?

 

Allen

Went there yesterday. Managed 1 largemouth a hair over 15". Threw everything we had and caught this one on a white double bladed spinner. The lake itself is nice, with LOTS of structure to fish. Mostly standing timber. It looks like it would get pretty choked up with vegetation though later in the spring/summer. There was a ton of lilly pads, etc. looking ready to overtake the lake. The road in is horrible!!! It's a dirt road with tons of potholes. This stretch of road to get to the lake is about 5 miles and with a boat behind me could only take it about 15-20 mph. It will also cover anything and everything on your boat in clay dust. From my house (Falling Waters) is was closer to 45-50 minutes total travel time to get to the lake. They have 2 gravel ramps and 1 concrete ramp up by the dam. The gravel ramps are fine. The one we used was a little washed out up from the ramp itself. No issues though. We fished from the furthest ramp from the dam up to the dam and back. I plan to go again before the vegetation takes off to fish the other part of the lake we didn't get the chance to yesterday.

Nice report BigTerp! 

 

There used to be a few nice size lily pad spots as well. 

 

Like Big Pool?

 

Allen

 

Yeah, like big pool but shallower if I remember correctly. 

Her ya go

 Threw everything we had and caught this one on a white double bladed spinner.

 

 

Her ya go

 

That looks like a senko in the pic to me?

 

Allen

That looks like a senko in the pic to me?

 

Allen

LOL. That's not me. Here is the one that my buddy caught on Sunday at Sleepy Creek Lake. Only bite all day. We did see a few sunning themselves in the shallows, but they weren't interested.

 

I know Josh as I have run into him a few times down on the river.

 

Allen

Thinking about fishing this place tomorrow? I like trying new places as it keeps me sharp.

 

Allen

Did you make it down there?

No I ended up at slackwater