We continued to troll in different directions working lake structures, such as points, islands and cove mouths, looking for a muskie "pattern" to develop. We even trolled over barren flats.

Despite our valiant effort, nine hours passed without a single muskie encounter. I'm sure a few muskies got banged on the nose as we blanketed the lake with swimming lures, but such is the life of a muskie angler.

The previous week, the McCords boated multiple 40-inchers, and the week after our trip, more 40-inch fish were boated. Oh, what muskie anglers would give for the hot bite to hit when they're on the water.

The summer months can be a surprisingly good time to troll on Stonewall Jackson. Many of the lake's largest muskies have been caught during the summer months. Even Jim Moore's first West Virginia 50-inch specimen came during the summer.

Keep in mind that the lake stratifies between 10 and 15 feet during the warm months. It will be important for trollers to fish above the thermocline where the lake's oxygenated water exists.

At 2,650 acres, Stonewall Jackson Lake remains a tremendous fishery for a number of fish species. However, muskies are the largest fish to call this lake home.

Trophy muskies get large by cruising through abundant stands of timber, which are found in countless creek channels, narrow coves and dropoffs. Riprap, sandy flats and even brief patches of vegetation are present throughout the lake. All of these habitats may be productive muskie areas during the year.

Several no-wake areas offer anglers the chance to muskie fish without the constant barrage of waves from passing powerboats. Anglers who fish renowned muskie lakes that are also popular recreational spots really appreciate these restricted speed areas.

Since Stonewall Jackson features an impressive forage base, it's not surprising that muskies in the lake grow very rapidly. This lake probably has more 40-inch and larger muskies present than any other body of water in West Virginia. Much of the trophy potential can be traced to the lake's ample forage base and abundant cover.

Trolling isn't the only way to fish Stonewall. Many anglers opt to cast among the timber with a variety of plugs, jerkbaits and even topwater lures. Many muskies can be found along shorelines or coves where thick cover makes trolling impossible. Quite frankly, muskies can turn up anywhere on the lake. It isn't surprising that many large muskies come from areas packed with standing timber, such as Little Skin Creek, Wolf Fork and Jacksonville.

Anglers can launch from any of the lake's five launch ramps. Georgetown, Vandalia Bay and Glady Fork are all located on the Skin Creek or Little Skin Creek arms of the lake. From Interstate 79, take exit 96 to get to the Skin Creek arm of the lake. Roanoke and Jacksonville are located on the West Fork arm of the lake and can be found by taking exit 91 from Interstate 79.

BURNSVILLE LAKE
The old legend still holds that Burnsville Lake contains big muskies. It held them in the 1980s and 1990s, so why not today? In fact, fishing pressure remains minimal compared with the pressure muskie anglers exerted on this reservoir during those two decades.