At normal summer pool, Summersville Lake offers plenty of boating access from four separate launching facilities. However, during drawdown, only two ramps, Salmon Run and the winter ramp located beside the dam, remain open. The ramp at Long Point is sometimes open during drawdown season. Anglers can call the lake's fishing hotline at (304) 872-5809 for more information.

BUCKHANNON RIVER MUSKIES
Muskies feed heavily before the onset of winter, so the fall becomes a fabulous time to fish for these hefty game fish. No water in West Virginia holds more muskies per acre than the Buckhannon River, and the most exciting part is you can see them coming.

The Buckhannon River features incredibly clear water and plenty of submerged log piles. Such structure serves as the main habitat for muskies in the area, and it's quite a rush to see one of these fish charge from under one of these submerged logs to annihilate a lure.

Quantity is the key attraction when fishing the Buckhannon River, and it's not uncommon to raise more than 10 muskies on an all-day trip.

The Buckhannon showcases a muskie population that includes fish of various sizes. Anglers will likely encounter numerous sub-legal fish (less than 30 inches), as well as good numbers of 30- to 40-inch fish and some occasional 40-inch-plus trophies.

The river exhibits two distinctly different fisheries, and a low-water dam in the city of Buckhannon separates them.

The "lower" Buckhannon River is defined as the section between the city of Buckhannon and the mouth of the river in adjoining Barbour County. This section of the Buckhannon River has traditionally offered plenty of muskies for anglers who are fortunate enough to gain access. Forage remains a limiting factor on the Buckhannon River, but restricted public access along the river has kept fishing pressure low, so the muskie population has prospered.

The Buckhannon Pool, a specially regulated six-mile catch-and-release section running from the city of Buckhannon upstream to Sago remains loaded with muskellunge. The entire section is one large pool featuring plenty of submerged logs, many of which harbor quality-sized muskies.

Studies by the Division of Natural Resources (DNR) have shown muskie numbers to reach staggering proportions in the catch-and-release section, but fishing pressure on this section of the river can be intense when compared with that found on the lower Buckhannon.

Access remains the limiting factor on the lower Buckhannon. Presently, there is a primitive access just below the Weyerhaeuser Plant on Hall Road, off U.S. Route 33 near Buckhannon. After a full day's float, anglers may take out downstream at yet another primitive access near a location known as Lenny's car lot. The DNR plans to develop an access sometime in 2008 just downstream of Lenny's car lot.

Conversely, the Buckhannon Pool is readily accessible and features a concrete launch ramp capable of handling motorized boats. The ramp sits behind West Virginia Wesleyan College inside a city park. While no motor restrictions govern the area, boaters need to use extreme caution when running the river due to submerged timber.

Fall fishing in the Mountain State is an experience anglers of all levels should appreciate. Fishing pressure substantially decreases on nearly all state waters; fall foliage explodes in a cornucopia of colors, while game fish are feeding heavily to prepare for the winter season.

What more could anglers ask for? If you haven't hit the Mountain State's fall fishing season, perhaps this year you'll give it a try and see for yourself just how good fall fishing can be in wild, wonderful West Virginia.