Thanks to the hard work of fisheries biologists, Old Dominion anglers and guides are enjoying healthy populations of muskellunge in rivers like the James, New and Shenandoah.
Now fishing for musky is one thing but catching a Virginia musky can be a real challenge. The good news is that due to stocking efforts over the past 25 years this goal become more realistic. You’ve probably heard it can take hundreds of casts to hook into one of these toothed torpedoes, however the excitement of fighting one can make it all worth it.
Joe Williams, a fisheries biologist for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, has been managing the musky population in the New River and small lakes of southwest Virginia for the past 23 years. He told me that musky are reproducing naturally on both the James and New Rivers, prompting him to decrease his stocking numbers by nearly 80 percent.
“The musky is more of a cool water fish,” he said. “They’re not native to Virginia, but they do well here. We’ve got a lot of cooler water creeks and springs that feed the [New] River so they thrive out there.”
New River
The current Virginia state record muskellunge, a 45-8 trophy, was caught in the lower New River in June 2007. In fact, from most of the musky citations registered in the state were caught in the New River.
Williams has overseen the muskellunge stocking on the New River. We asked him about the project recently.
“We have produced fisheries through our stocking program, which has been very extensive. The New has been stocked since 1968. We even tried tiger muskies for a few years to see if they were more adaptive and aggressive. Our stockings are the reason there are now reproducing populations in the New and James.”
Williams told me it takes a musky approximately four years to reach trophy size, which is considered to be 40 inches by many anglers (a length citation). He considers 45” to be trophy size (another couple of years), and many dedicated musky anglers consider 50” to be the minimum for a true trophy. It takes about 10-12 years for a Virginia musky to attain that size.
The biologist noted anglers will find musky at any boat launch on the New and suggested they fish the slow, deep.
“Musky are like many species of fish and mammals in that they like ‘edge’ habitat. A deep pool that rises straight up to shallow bars are killers along that drop-off. Large mats of vegetation are also good locations but can be difficult to fish,” said Williams.
The goal of many stocking programs, in addition to the trophy opportunities, is to create a selfsustaining, reproducing population of fish. Williams noted the decision to stock musky in Virginia was made long before he came onboard. He believes the purpose was as forage fish control and to provide another trophy angling opportunity.
Is there a potential state record to be caught this year?
“The current state record is 45’ 8”, and that female fish was caught well after spawning season. If that fish had been caught when she was still full of eggs, she would have easily been over 50 pounds, probably up to 52 pounds. I do not think we will see musky lager than that because they are relatively short lived in Virginia, mainly due to the fact that we have such a long “growing season” in our state,” Williams revealed.
James River
Muskie have also been stocked into sections of the upper James River that flow through central Virginia. The top two float trips are from Horseshoe Bend to Springwood (about 2.8 miles) from Springwood to Buchanan (about five miles).
Horseshoe Bend is adjacent to Rt. 43 and consists of a concrete boat ramp. Shallow, fast water at this boat ramp makes launching difficult. A canoe launching area is present at Springwood (under the Rt. 630 bridge). Boats have to be carried to the river at this site. This float has a long series of deep pools and relatively long riffles. The fast water is not exceptionally difficult to navigate. Smallmouth bass are numerous and rock bass are common. It is also possible to hook into a musky on this float.
There is a boat ramp at Buchanan, and a canoe launching area at Arcadia. This launch area is adjacent to the Rt. 614 bridge, and a steep path must be negotiated to get from the parking area to the river. This float is generally a series of pools and riffles, with some rock ledges. Smallmouth bass fishing is good. Rock bass, redbreast sunfish, and muskies may also be caught.
Shenandoah River
The VDGIF also annually stocks fingerling-size musky at 10+ sites on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. There has been no evidence of muskies reproducing naturally in the Shenandoah, therefore they must be stocked to sustain a fishery.
Adult musky densities are low and closely resemble numbers seen in a wild, reproducing population. Anglers should focus on areas where structure is present adjacent to the main channel when hunting muskies. Musky are “ambush” predators and often lie just off the main current waiting to strike prey that swims/floats along. Also remember that these fish are a “coolwater” species, and unlike other species are active during the coldest months of the year.
Musky Lures
You probably wouldn’t use a slingshot to bring down a bear and likewise you don’t show up with an ultra-light crappie rod when hunting for musky. Just the lures alone can be inspiring; oversized crankbaits, massive jerkbaits, swimbaits and super-sized spinners are all good baits for musky. Live bait fishing (including the use of trout) can be an extremely effective fishing method during colder months, too.
Blue Ridge Musky Guide Sam Scott operates James River Outfitters – the only musky specific shop in the state and his selection of water tiger lures and knowledge on how to use them is unmatched. If you want to speed up the learning curve a trip with him or a visit to his Eagle Rock shop on the upper James is a must.
Well, good luck with the fish of 1,000 casts and let me know how you do. Until next time, remember to cherish, protect and conserve the outdoors while sharing it with others.
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