Fellow BR Members-

 

Been out of pocket for the past year, Navy has kept me relatively busy and my boat has been sadly inactive... Just relocated to Chesapeake, Virginia and I'm looking for any suggestions on areas to explore here in the southern part of the state. Excited to get back in the game, and now that the house is settled and my bride is happy - I CAN BEGIN PREPARING FOR SOME FISHING!!!!

 

Any information and/or advice would sincerely be appreciated!

 

"Swabby"

Hey, look at the Finger Lakes in Suffolk.  Also, Lake Cahoon, Briery Creek, Lake (I think), and Maury Lake.  They are tough and can be good.  The last three lakes are restricted to 9.9hp engines.  Also, Cahoon and Maury are side-by-side, a dam separating them. There is a lot of fishing competition on those lakes so, it is tough.  

 

Good Luck! 

^{Thanks for serving and welcome to the area.  We have five local water supply reservoirs that are HP restricted (Little Creek, Lake Smith, Lake Prince, Burnt Mills, Western Branch Lake Cohoon and Lake Meade).  All offer very good fishing.  And, as Wdy Crankbait noted, they do get some pressure.  However, all of the them regularly put out great weights.}

 

   ^{As for unrestricted waters, you have the Northwest River, North Landing River, Back Bay and a host of rivers in North Carolina.  You can also add in the Currituck and Albermarle Sounds.  If you don't mind traveling 2-3 hours you can reach Kerr, Gaston and the Potomac River.} 

 

   ^{If you prefer the smaller lakes as mentioned in the first paragraph, you can greatly expand on the list by going to the peninsula where they have quite a few more lakes (all electric only).}

 

   ^{Good luck.}

Yeah, the Peninsula is pretty good if you put in the time to figure it out.  I lived up in the Denbigh area of Newport News for 6 years and fished Lee Hall Res. a lot!

If you don't mind traveling to the Williamsburg area there are a lot of good places like:

 

Chickahominy Lake (you can launch at Ed Allen's)

Chickahominy River

Diascund Reservoir (its low right now, a good time to explore and find all the stumps and lay downs)

Little Creek Reservoir (good walleye fishing)

Waller Mill (heard great things, have the worst luck there haha)

 

I live in Newport news and travel up there a lot, I also fish around here:

 

Newport News Reservoir

Harwoods Mill Reservoir

 

Good Luck!

Swabby, first, thanks for your career service. It is guys like you that keep us safe.

And remember, if you don't protect what is dear to your heart you will lose it. Just ask France.

Now, about fishing in the greater Tidewater areas: Get the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' Freshwater Fishing in Virginia booklet while they last and look up your area.

It is free and you can find them at Wal-Mart, Bass Pro Shop across the hole in the water and local tackle shops.

You will find a lot of places to fish in your area and around the state.
But here is another suggestion for your consideration: Join a local BASS or FWL fishing club and go as a nonboater I their tournaments.

You will learn where to launch your boat; fish different bodies of water; discuss techniques and baits with club members; and learn about Virginia waters.

I don't know if you have encountered tidal rivers, which are a beast within themselves. If so, you know how to attack them. If not, the guys in the bass club will show you.

Do not limit your self to the Tidewater area. Head west and fish the Historic James River, Mattaponi, Rappahannock, , Chickahominy, Pamunkey, Appomattox and other rivers.

Lakes can include Lake Chesdin, Chickahominy Lake and One Fish Anna.

Have fun; be safe; and post some pics of your catches.

Welcome home.

One more thing.

Consider attending the Richmond Fishing Expo in January at the Meadow.

Here is the web page:

http://richmondfishingexpo.com/

See you there!!!!!

What part of chesapeake are you in ? Are you fishing from shore or a boat ? I have been hitting up Oak Grove lake, although its fished a lot and is hard to catch. Theres a lot of small ponds around Greenbrier and Great Bridge that are decent. The Geico lake in Va Beach is pretty good. I have found a few spots in Chesapeake on Google Maps but not sure if your allowed to go to them. Good luck if you find any good spots let me know.

Welcome back!

 

 

 

Thanks everyone for the great advice. Nice to reconnect - and hope to see you on the water soon!

 

 

                                            MERRY CHRISTMAS!