DECEMBER
Shenandoah River Smallmouths
Bass fishing in December for river smallies? Absolutely! Believe it or not, now's the time to catch the biggest specimens that the river contains.

Even though all but the most dedicated of river rats will have hibernated for the year, those hardy souls who stay out on the river often will catch the biggest brown bass of the year. And the Shenandoah River is a great place to enjoy the action.

West Virginia's portion of the river is short -- the extreme lower end that runs from the Virginia state line into Jefferson County to the river's merger with the mainstream Potomac at Harpers Ferry. Access areas are numerous, though, and include Bloomery Bridge, Harper's Ferry, Meyerstown, Millville, Potomac Edison (ramps both above and below the dam) and Shannondale Springs.

Like late-season river muskies, cold river smallies will be in the deep, slow pools. Active, biting fish will hold on the shallow edges of such pools, looking for an easy meal.

There you have it, 12 prime places to catch fish throughout the year in our state -- with another 24 suggestions on the calendar graphic to boot!