An impoundment of the Little Kanawha River, Burnsville Lake covers just less than 1,000 acres. Not so typical of the state’s flood-control impoundments, Burnsville is relatively shallow. It has a length just shy of 10 miles.

Both flathead and channel catfish are found in Burnsville Lake. No horsepower restrictions are in place. Launch ramps are located at the Riffle Run Day Use Area, Bulltown Day Use Area and the Bulltown Camping Area.

In that many catfish anglers will ply their craft at night, the camping option at Burnsville is a good one to consider. You can fish deep into the night, then retreat back to camp during the wee hours for a few hours of much needed sleep.

Call (304) 853-2398 for a recorded message providing updated information on lake and tailwater conditions, precipitation, launch ramps, fishing, hunting, campground, and special statements. The Bulltown Campground can be reached at (304) 452-8006.

AUGUST
Tygart Lake Bluegills
Given the many choices one has in regard to species and locations, it’s easy to overlook fun-filled options like panfishing. When late summer comes around, and thing get a bit tough for the "glamour" species, the time is right to step back and do a little low-stress panfishing. Tygart Lake is a good place to gather up the kids for a trip aimed at bluegills.

Also known as Grafton Dam, due to its proximity to Grafton, Tygart Lake is formed by a dam on the Tygart Valley River. Besides providing good fishing for panfish species such as bluegills, Tygart Lake plays host to a variety of species, most notably bass and walleyes. Fishing is popular in the tailwaters area, which is stocked during the springtime with trout.

Bluegill fishing need not be made complicated. Both shore- and boat-fishermen should score well working shoreline areas. Larger ’gills may be found in somewhat deeper water.

Tygart Lake State Park is located along the lake, and provides a camping option, as well as a four-lane launch ramp. The city of Grafton also has a campground. There is no horsepower restriction on the lake, which is also visited by recreational boaters and water skiers.

Call (304) 265-5953 for daily updated information on lake conditions and recreational information.

SEPTEMBER
Mountwood Lake Muskies
With quality muskie waters like the Buckhannon River and Stonewall Jackson Lake, it’s easy to miss out on the action from lesser-known waters. Mountwood Lake, which contains a viable tiger muskie population, is such a water.

September brings cooler and shorter days, equating to dropping water temperatures. This can play in favor of the muskie angler. With hunting action about to kick in, generally one finds less competition on the water, which is an added plus for the anglers who are seeking the fish of 10,000 casts.

Mountwood Lake covers 48 acres with a maximum depth of 48 feet. Despite its small size, it is capable of producing big muskies. The state- record tiger muskie (muskellunge x northern pike hybrid) was taken from Mountwood in 1994 by Clyde Beckett. That fish measured 49 1/4 inches and weighed 36.5 pounds.

Hard-fighting hybrid stripers can provide a good way of shrugging off the early spring cold. The Kanawha River is one of the state’s better hybrid fisheries.

A county park lake found in Wood County, Mountwood Lake is limited to electric motors only. A camping area, handicapped-accessible fishing pier and concrete ramp are provided.