2004 FISHING CALENDAR The calendar is in PDF format. The Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free here.

By Kevin Yokum

West Virginia has so many fishing opportunities that each year it's tough to determine which waters to fish. It seems that there just isn't enough time to hit all of the fishing hotspots. However, that doesn't keep passionate anglers, like myself, from trying.

At one time, fishing was pretty much limited to the traditional period of March through July. That is certainly not the case now, as anglers have discovered that year-round fishing is not only productive, but can be extraordinary. From winter walleye and bass fishing to early-season trophy trout and smallmouth fishing, anglers are demanding a year-round schedule to keep up with their fishing interests. Check out this year's Mountain State fishing calendar for 2004's best fishing destinations. You'll find a mix of old favorites and perhaps some new hotspots, but in any case, these picks should provide excellent fishing throughout the year.

Ohio River tailraces are the best places to fish because over 90 percent of all fish caught from the river come from these areas located just downstream of its dams. Walleyes are a hot commodity on the river, and in the winter, anglers will find the greatest quantities of them in tailraces. Getting an early start on Ohio River marble-eye action is a great way for anglers to begin the year.

Although trophy-sized walleyes do show up among the tailraces, the best feature of tailrace fishing is that it provides lots of harvestable size members of the perch family. Ohio River tailraces are certainly one of the best places in the state to fill up a stringer with walleyes. If you're looking for some prime West Virginia walleye action, then check out the Ohio River tailraces.

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

The principle draw for Slaty Fork anglers is the big browns that call this water home. This stretch of water probably has more trophy brown trout than any other section of river in West Virginia. Besides a plethora of trophy browns, Slaty Fork also offers anglers the chance to catch wild rainbows and brook trout. Most of these trout are wily and the fishing can be challenging, so don't expect the typical stocked trout type of fishing experience.

This part of the state can be freezing in February, but during warm snaps when the water is up a little, fishing for trophy Slaty Fork trout can be dynamite even at this time of the year. Temperature and weather conditions will dictate fishing success during this early spring period and the window of opportunity may be limited, but if you target the period's warmest days, you may experience the best trout fishing of your life.

Each year, the biggest smallmouths are caught early in the spring, and believe me, the New has lots of big smallmouths. Annually, the New River produces three times the number of citation-sized (4 pounds or larger) smallmouth bass of any other state water. When I say big, I mean big. Many trophy smallmouths will be 4 to 5 pounds, but I have seen smallmouths up to 7 pounds on the New. The current state record of 7 1/2 pounds came from New River, and most anglers believe that the next state-record smallmouth will again come from the New.

Trophy smallmouths are scattered from one end of New River to the other, but use caution when float-fishing on some areas because this river has some serious white water that should only be navigated by an experienced river runner.

In addition to the trophy trout fishing, the South Branch features easy access and has an assortment of good trout habitat. The South Branch Valley is known as a particularly scenic area and some of the best scenery can be found in the Smoke Hole Canyon. Besides picturesque views, the Smoke Hole area features a special regulation (catch-and-release) area where all trout must be returned to the water. The catch-and-release area is always full of trout and during April, this section will be overflowing with these fish.

Lots of big trout and scenic views keep anglers returning to the South Branch. If you come in April, you'll be right in the thick of peak trout fishing action.

May is generally the time when the giant females come into shallow water to spawn, making them vulnerable to anglers. Sight-fishing for big bass in shallow water is the ultimate in bass fishing, and watching a 5-pound bass inhale your lure can be really exhilarating.

All parts of the lake hold big bass, but look to coves and submerged roadbeds for the best trophy bass action. Bass can spawn in water as shallow as 10 inches, but generally they prefer water depths of 2 to 4 feet.

Springtime crowds are starting to thin by June, and yet some of the year's best hatches are just coming out. Whether fly-fishing or fishing with conventional tackle, great trout fishing opportunities are still available through June, although water conditions can be a bit low and clear during this time.

Browns, brookies and rainbows can all be found in the Cranberry, but no section will hold more trout than the 4.3-mile backcountry catch-and-release section. This section is a must fish for anglers any time of the year.