Sauger and walleye populations, like the Ohio River, are at the mercy of nature, which has not been exceptionally kind in recent years. Still, enough fish should be present in tailrace and creek mouth areas to warrant attention from anglers.

Monongahela River boat access areas can be found in Morgantown, Star City and Uffington.

CHEAT LAKE
Cheat Lake, a 1,730-acre lake in Monongalia County, currently contains a good population of fat, eating-sized walleyes, fish that are a result of stockings made a few years ago.

A lake with a history of acid mine drainage contamination, game fish populations have been on the rebound in Cheat Lake for a number of years. First to be noticed was the largemouth bass fishery. The lake is now one of the better largemouth lakes in the state, according to results of bass tournaments held there. Walleyes may soon be stealing some of the limelight.

"Cheat Lake has a lot of walleyes in the 16- to 18-inch range," biologist Hederick reported.

The DNR hopes to establish a self-supporting walleye population in the Cheat. Cheat Lake is near Interstate 68, six miles northeast of Morgantown.

STONEWALL JACKSON LAKE
Located just a long stone's throw from Interstate 79, Stonewall Jackson Lake is one of the state's premier fishing destinations. According to fisheries biologist Kevin Yokum, anglers fishing the lake this year can expect to find both saugeyes and walleyes.

Stonewall Jackson Lake is a federal flood-control water. It covers 2,650 acres in Lewis County. There are no horsepower restrictions.

Fairly young when compared to many Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs in the state, Stonewall Jackson was spared the hatchet job typical of most impoundments of this type. When the lake was built, a fair amount of timber was left, particularly in the backs of bays and coves. This cover is beneficial to all of the lake's fish populations, walleye and saugeye included.

Though the DNR no longer stocks saugeyes, fish will be available for some years to come. According to Yokum, Stonewall Jackson will be a good bet this spring for latching on to a lunker saugeye. He said the lake contains average numbers of walleyes.

Gizzard shad are not present in Stonewall Jackson Lake. Several minnow species and young panfish provide an abundant forage base, though.

Boat access areas on Stonewall Jackson Lake include Georgetown, Glady Fork, Jacksonville, Stonewall Jackson State Park and Vandalia Bay.

BURNSVILLE LAKE
Burnsville Lake, located just down the interstate from Stonewall Jackson Lake, is another of biologist Kevin Yokum's picks for walleyes and saugeyes.

Yokum considers Burnsville to be more of a numbers lake than a big-fish lake. He said there are fewer numbers of larger saugeyes in the lake, but good numbers of walleyes.

Yokum considers the forage base in 968-acre Burnsville average. He stated there are no gizzard shad in the lake.

Burnsville Lake is in Braxton County. Boat ramps are found at the Burnsville Day-Use Area and at Riffle Run. The Burnsville Lake Marina also offers access as well as additional services.