During times when little flow is being released through the dam, walleyes will congregate within the flowing water in the middle of the river. Anglers must use boats to access these mid-river walleyes.

Swirling currents and gate alterations can make fishing near the dam an interesting affair. Anglers need to exercise good judgment when fishing during times when water elevation in the tailwater is changing.

NEW RIVER
Through the years, the massive body of water known as the New River has produced tons of fish, and big ones at that. This super-productive system has developed a reputation for yielding big smallies and muskies. Even flathead catfish reach huge proportions in this river, so why not walleyes?

The New certainly has the food base to produce big walleyes, and walleyes that have worked their way into the river have done superbly. For years, anglers have caught trophy-sized walleyes from the river, which have probably migrated in from Virginia. Such rationale explains why the DNR added the New River to its list of waters to be stocked with walleyes.

The spring of 2007 will make the third consecutive year that the New has received walleye fingerlings. In 2006, 9,200 fish were stocked, and some of the walleyes stocked in 2005 have already attained catchable size.

It isn’t a question of will walleyes do well in the New, the question is more like will the New River become West Virginia’s next premier trophy walleye fishery?

So far, walleye stockings have been initiated downstream of Hinton in the Sandstone area. Corresponding angler catch has occurred from Sandstone down to below the Interstate 64 bridge. This area is popular among smallmouth anglers, and several bass anglers have reported catching walleyes here with some regularity.

The Cheat River has also been selected for walleye stocking, and last year, 3,800 walleyes were stocked from St. George to Rowlesburg. Few reports of angler-caught walleyes have surfaced, and only time will tell whether the stocking will be successful.

Mountain State walleye anglers have much be excited about in the years to come, and the most significant advancements in walleye fishing may just come from West Virginia’s large rivers.