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 just starting to lower a bit. The water temperature had reached 80
degrees, but the recent cool nights have returned the water temperature to around
73 degrees, which should extend the good fishing for a few more weeks.
The bass - both largemouth and smallmouth - are chasing alewives on the
surface in the early morning. Try your favorite topwater lure. During the heat of the
day, back off to the rocky points and try a crawfish-imitating jig.
There is a good trout bite early and late. The trout are around 20 feet deep, but
may come shallower at first light.
Of course, good trout and bass fishing can be had in the cool water below the
dam. Local trout streams are also still running and hold a few leftover trout.
level is just starting to lower a bit. The water temperature had reached 80
degrees, but the recent cool nights have returned the water temperature to around
73 degrees, which should extend the good fishing for a few more weeks.
The bass - both largemouth and smallmouth - are chasing alewives on the
surface in the early morning. Try your favorite topwater lure. During the heat of the
day, back off to the rocky points and try a crawfish-imitating jig.
There is a good trout bite early and late. The trout are around 20 feet deep, but
may come shallower at first light.
Of course, good trout and bass fishing can be had in the cool water below the
dam. Local trout streams are also still running and hold a few leftover trout.
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 June 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 |
