R.D. BAILEY LAKE
(600 Acres In Wyoming County)
A federal flood-control impoundment located on the Guyandotte River, R.D. Bailey Lake provides another viable option for southern West Virginia hybrid striper anglers.

"R.D. Bailey is more of a steeper- sided, deeper lake," noted fisheries biologist Mark Scott. "It's more of a rocky lake, smaller than Bluestone. The lake features a couple of different arms that contain some standing timber. There is a bit of standing timber in the main lake itself, little coves and spots along the shoreline. There are long clay flats and points, and many steep, vertical cliff-type areas. That's pretty common on Bailey. It reminds me of a smaller version of Summersville Lake."

Gizzard shad provide the primary source of food for hybrid stripers on R.D. Bailey Lake.

"Anglers sometimes catch the hybrids in the spring when they run up the river," Scott said. "Occasionally they catch them in the tailwaters, but I don't think that fishery is as large as the one at Bluestone. The best way they catch the hybrids at R.D., and I laughed at this but it does work, is fishing at night on those long, clay points using chicken livers. They do catch them. I imagine someone found out about it while fishing for catfish. I tried it one night, and sure enough, it does work. I caught hybrids."

The current situation at R.D. Bailey Lake is one of big fish, but perhaps not many of them.

"R.D. tends to have bigger hybrids," Scott reported. "It has a really big shad base, and they tend to get many more bigger fish. We've had some floods down there that have hurt us, but when we are able to get fish in there several years in a row, we see some pretty nice fish."

Scott feels that R.D. Bailey has the potential to kick out hybrids in the 12- to 14-pound range.

Shore-fishing opportunities are limited on R.D. Bailey Lake, particularly ones near good hybrid striper spots.

In addition to the hybrid striper fishery, R.D. Bailey also boasts a good walleye population. Bass are also on the slate of attractions.

"It has a tremendous spotted bass population," Scott said. "For trophy spots, it's probably one of the best anywhere."

One of the better shore-fishing options on the lake is the tailrace fishery, where a variety of fish can be caught.

"There is a walkway below the dam, and there are some people who fish down there," reported the biologist. "It's a fairly small outflow. I wouldn't consider it a hotspot, but at certain times of year or under certain conditions, I guess it might be. It's a trout fishery in the spring and fall, and a variety of species are caught there from time to time."

According to the Army Corps of Engineers, to reach R.D. Bailey Lake from Justice, take U.S. Route 52 east. Turn left off U.S. Route 52 at the R.D. Bailey sign.

Additional information on R.D. Bailey Lake can be obtained by phoning the project manager's office at (304) 664-3220.