Topwater lures that are so successful during the summer months, such as buzzbaits and prop baits, can also remain effective in the fall and should be included in any angler's Greenbrier River tackle box.

The six-mile special regulation section from the U.S. Route 60 bridge near Caldwell to the U.S. Route 219 bridge at Ronceverte is a showcase float on the river. This area features a 12- to 20-inch slot limit and allows for harvest of one bass per day over 20 inches, and up to six bass per day under 12 inches. Anglers will find some real lunker bass in this stretch of river.

Another favorite float for Greenbrier River anglers is the 8.5-mile jaunt from Alderson to Pence Springs. This is one section of the river anglers will traditionally target when looking to rack up impressive numbers of smallmouths.

The versatile Greenbrier River offers a wealth of fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. Remember to give yourself some extra time while fishing this river because anglers coming to the Greenbrier know that this destination is more than a fishing excursion; it's an uplifting experience.

SUMMERSVILLE LAKE WALLEYES
Summersville Lake remains West Virginia's best walleye fishery, particularly for anglers who are looking to catch a limit of marble-eyes. Catching a trophy walleye is always a possibility on Summersville and big ones do show up on occasion, but this Nicholas County water is much more noted for filling up stringers with walleyes destined for the dinner table rather than the wall.

At 2,700 acres, Summersville Lake remains West Virginia's largest impoundment. The lake even looks like a textbook perfect walleye factory with its large boulders, rock cliffs and clear, icy water.

Scattered from one end of the lake to the other, Summersville contains plenty of quality walleye habitat. Perennial hotspots include McKeys Creek, Battle Run and the U.S. Route 19 bridge.

Located near Long Point Marina, Mckeys Creek encompasses a lengthy arm of the lake. The area is marked with several mini coves and numerous rocky points that attract walleyes like crazy. Additionally, walleyes tend to congregate near the mouth of Mckeys Creek, especially in the fall.

Battle Run is another area known for producing good catches of walleyes. Perhaps the best places to fish in Battle Run would be on sloping points that extend into the lake from both sides of the area's numerous miniature coves. These points are lengthy structures, so at nearly any water level, walleyes will continue to hang on these points.

When walleyes are holding deep or suspended over deep water, no place on the lake becomes more productive than around the Route 19 bridge. Located near the mouth of Salmon Run, the bridge offers the type of cover walleyes are strongly attracted to. The bridge also sits in a narrow section of the lake, funneling current and food through the bridge piers to waiting marble-eyes.

Each fall, Summersville Lake undergoes a significant drawdown. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lowers the lake about 80 feet from its summer recreational pool in order for the lake to accommodate winter and spring runoff. The Corps of Engineers will raise the lake elevation sometime around April 1 of the following spring, and then lower it again the proceeding September.

Lake walleyes adapt to this drawdown routine readily and will concentrate in the previously mentioned hotspots during the winter drawdown.