Photo by Tom Evans

"It's the best-kept secret in West Virginia," the elderly gentleman stated. Forcing back a grin at the fellow's comment, I asked if he was kidding. "Give me 30 minutes and I'll prove it," the angler answered. Intrigued by his confidence, I agreed.

For the next half hour, I watched as the determined angler landed several hybrid striped bass, a sauger and three freshwater drum from the Hannibal tailrace.

"That's pretty im-pressive," I assured the angler. "Impressive? I did not even catch a walleye, and I always catch walleye and maybe even one of those mudcats (flathead catfish). I sure wish I could have reeled in one like yesterday. It weighed nearly 30 pounds!" the tailrace angler exclaimed.

Having fished West Virginia all my life, it isn't often that I'm surprised about a water body's fishing potential, but I sure was that day.

Admittedly, I figured something would be biting along the Hannibal tailrace on that warm March afternoon, but nothing as lucrative as the assorted stringer of fish that angler caught in front of me. It really demonstrated what dynamic fisheries exist on Ohio River tailraces, and it definitely made me regret not bringing along my fishing tackle.

Such variety is not uncommon along the Ohio River, and any of the river's seven tailraces can produce an onslaught of fish species, even in the late winter or early spring.

WHY THE TAILWATERS?
Every year the question comes up: What's so special about Ohio River tailraces? The same old answers to the same old question: plenty of food, well-oxygenated water, current and a manmade barrier that stacks up fish.

These manmade structures, better known as navigational locks, divide the Ohio River into different sections commonly referred to as pools. Seven such locks are found within West Virginia's boundary, and each acts as a barrier to migrating fish; hence, different fish species are thereby concentrated in the tailraces just downstream of each dam. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that wherever fish concentrate, quality fishing is likely to occur. Through the years, anglers have learned to home in on tailraces and with good reason.

Creel surveys conducted on the Ohio River have shown that more than 90 percent of the fish caught on the river come from these tailraces. In addition to hefty numbers of fish, most tailraces provide easy access to the river, especially for shoreline anglers.

Current is a natural food carrier for sportfish and when fish congregate in the tailraces, they use the current as a delivery service. Routinely served with such grandiose meals, why leave? In addition, flowing water from the locks helps maintain premium water quality in tailrace areas on a water body that is not necessarily known for pristine conditions.

Baitfish come to the tailraces for many of the same reasons that sportfish do. However, once in the tailrace, life may get a bit difficult. Game fish learn that it's easier to pin baitfish against a barrier (lock wall) than in the open river.

The Ohio River is an intriguing place to fish because it features so many different species. Anglers never know for sure what is pulling on the end of their line. Some of the river's most popular game fish species include bass, walleyes, saugers, hybrid striped bass, catfish and even muskies. All of these species can be found in any of the river's tailraces, although some tailraces seem to offer better fishing for certain species.

NEW CUMBERLAND TAILWATERS
The New Cumberland tailrace provides some of the Ohio River's best hybrid striper action. Starting in February and continuing through November, the hybrid bite lasts nearly all year.