JUNE
Cheat Lake Largemouth Bass
It wasn't that long ago that Cheat Lake was relatively lifeless, fishery-wise, due to acid mine drainage. But liming devices placed within the Cheat River watershed upstream of the lake have improved the water quality to the point where Cheat Lake is now one of the state's most productive largemouth bass lakes.

Cheat Lake's proximity to Morgantown makes it a favorite for anglers from this area. Because of its location just off Interstate 68, a few miles from the I-68/I-79 interchange, it is accessible to anglers from many directions.

Both numbers and decent-sized specimens characterize Cheat Lake's largemouth fishery. The lake is about six miles long and reaches depths approaching the 100-foot mark. Unlike many of the state's reservoirs, Cheat Lake is not a flood-control lake. Its primary purpose is that of providing hydroelectric power. Thus, its pool level is much more stable.

A public boat ramp is provided at the lakeside park. Some shore-fishing is also available, particularly along the trail that rims a portion of the lake.

JULY
Potomac River Smallmouths
I don't know about you, but river smallmouth bass are my favorite. Don't tell a 12-inch river smallie he's only a foot long. He'll fight like a 3-pound lake largemouth. A good place to put such a comment to the test is the North Branch of the Potomac River.

Like the Cheat River, the North Branch had a history of acid mine drainage. As such, fish life was limited. But mitigation work in the upper reaches of the river has neutralized much of the negative effect. The presence of Jennings Randolph Lake, with its multi-level discharge, has also had a positive influence on the North Branch below the lake. Discharges from Maryland's Savage River Reservoir aid in water quality as well. Reintroduced in the 1990s, smallmouth bass now thrive below the lake, all the way to the North Branch's merger with the South Branch.

Perhaps the best smallmouth bass portion of this border water is the section that runs from Keyser, West Virginia, to Cumberland, Maryland. In addition to bank- and wade-fishing opportunities, this river is well suited for kayaks and canoes. Don't be surprised if you catch a big trout here while fishing for smallies. This section holds some trophy trout as well.

AUGUST
Kanawha River Catfish
Though tough fishing is often associated with the dog days of August, now is a good time to slow the pace down and enjoy some relaxed fishing. An evening of soaking bait for channel catfish and flatheads is in order. And the Kanawha River is a good place to do it.

Formed by the New and Gauley rivers, the Kanawha provides catfish angling throughout much of its length. Perhaps the most focused effort on cats takes place on the lower end of the river, where navigational lock and dams, such as Winfield, London and Marmet, form a slower, deeper river.

Finding catfish isn't a complicated affair, in that whiskerfish tend to frequent the deeper holes in the river. They will also congregate below dams. Shoreline anglers should consider the fishing opportunities available below the three dam systems.

Boat-anglers should scope out deeper holes during the day using their sonar units. Then anchor up on the head of the hole at dusk. Catfish, flatheads in particular, tend to be night feeders. They will move up on the shallow flats located upriver of the deeper pools when the lights go out. The bite usually dwindles around midnight.