Sport Fish Restoration LogoIn March of 2017 fisheries biologists and hatchery production staff collected adult walleye from the New River, Pigg River, Staunton River and South Holston Reservoir for the production of fingerling walleye to stock in selected lakes and rivers in Virginia.
Walleye were spawned or hatched at Vic Thomas, Front Royal, King and Queen and Buller Fish Cultural Stations, raised in ponds until they are about 1.5 inches long, when they are stocked in locations across the state.
In 2017, DGIF stocked 830,000 fingerling Walleye. The following report offers walleye sampling results and fishing forecasts on those waters that are stocked with walleye fingerlings.
Upper New River
Walleye fishing on the Upper New River from Buck Dam downstream to Allisonia will improve in 2018 from annual stocking since 2014. The 2014 and 2016 stockings were limited to Allisonia due to poor survival in hatchery ponds. The 2016 Allisonia stocking resulted in good numbers of walleye from13 to 17 inches in fall 2017 Claytor Lake sampling.
In 2015 and 2017, Walleye were stocked at multiple sites from Allisonia to Fries. Walleye fishing from Fries Dam to Byllesby Reservoir will not produce as many Walleye due to a lack of stocking in 2012 to 2014 and 2016, but the 2015 and 2017 stockings will provide walleye for anglers in this area in 2018 and beyond.
Anglers catch most Walleye in the Upper New River from February to April, but walleye are also caught throughout the year. Crankbaits, jigs, and live minnows work well for catching them during the late winter and spring season. Ivanhoe, Foster Falls, and Allisonia are all good areas to fish.
During spring 2016 walleye sampling downstream from Buck Dam, 22% of the walleye collected were under 14 inches, 55% were between 14 and 19 inches and 22% were between 19 and 28 inches. While anglers will have to return 19 to 28-inch walleye under the spring season size limit (explained below) they should catch plenty of walleye under 19 inches.
When you fish for walleye on the Upper New River, follow these size and creel limits:
From Buck Dam downstream to Claytor Lake Dam: From February 1 through May 31: All walleye 19 to 28 inches caught must be released unharmed. Anglers may keep two Walleye per day less than 19 inches or over 28 inches. From June 1 through January 31: A 20-inch minimum length limit with a five per day creel limit is in effect.
This regulation allows anglers to harvest a few smaller male Walleyes (typically less than 19 inches) or a trophy female walleye (typically greater than 28 inches) while protecting the best spawning-size walleyes during the spring months.
From Fries Dam downstream to Buck Dam: A 20-inch minimum length limit for walleye, with a 5 per day creel limit is in effect year-round. This regulation is designed to protect the walleye population stocked in Byllesby Reservoir that runs upstream to Fries Dam.
Biologists tagged walleyes in the Upper New River from 2008 to 2012 as part of a statewide walleye research project. A cash reward of 20 dollars will still be offered for the return of these tags with catch information. Anglers can remove the tag by cutting through the monofilament attachment with scissors or a knife. The fish can then be released or harvested (the length limits listed above apply).
Return the tag and catch information to the address printed on the tag. Catch information includes: date, time and general location of catch, “Was the fish harvested or released?”, “Were you fishing for walleyes?”, and “Did you catch other walleyes on this fishing trip?”
South Holston Reservoir
South Holston should provide excellent walleye fishing in 2018. Sampling during 2017, including both electrofishing and gillnetting, documented an exceptional size structure with most walleye collected during the fall gillnetting in excess of 18 inches.
Electrofishing catch rates during April 2017 were below average (1/hr) due to unusually high lake levels, however; the 2017 gillnet catch rate of 19 fish per net was well above average (12/net night).
Anglers can expect good catches during the spring spawning “run” on the South Fork Holston River. Anglers congregate near the community of Alvarado from February through April to catch walleyes on the spring spawning “run”. During May and June anglers find walleyes feeding along the shorelines of the lake.
The post spawn top water bite in the lower lake will yield the best walleye fishing Virginia has to offer. When walleyes move deeper during the summer months, successful anglers troll crawler harnesses on lead core line or use jigging spoons to reach the depths. Fall and winter fishing call for jigging spoons or jigs and live minnows.
Walleye growth is outstanding, so anglers should find plenty of fish larger than the minimum size of 18 inches. Most walleye exceed 10 inches in their first year and measure 15 to 18 inches in their second year. Walleye generally reach 20 inches by their third year.
Walleye growth slows after age four and males seldom exceed 24 or 25 inches in length, while females may reach lengths of 30 inches or more.
–Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
