2 first time VA Lake reports at Wilcox & Lone Star

[Brad Reams]

Wilcox 8/11 in Petersburg

Fished this lake for the 1st time.

It's a small (22 acres), clear, and deep lake, but don't overlook it.   

Fished 2.5 hours, the Bite was slow, managed to catch 3 total. 

2 dinks & this 5.5lb hawg (picture below)

 

Lone Star 8/17-18 in Suffolk

Also my 1st time fishing this lake  

Both days I fished the Southern Tract

Got double 00 skunked, a little disappointing, but I think it's worth a revisit.  

 

First off it's a strange & difficult lake to fish.  

25 acres Lake in a series of 5 interconnected lakes. 

2 shallow & 3 very deep. 

The 2 shallow lakes are 50% choked up with Hydrilla.

the 3 deep lakes, are ULTRA Gin Clear, and the banks are quick drop offs. I could easily see 8-10 feet down.

 

I tried a bunch of lures Saturday, crankbaits, swimbaits, jerkbaits, topwater 

I had a few blowups on top but nothing substantial

Sunday I brought more deep cranks, and lures, but still nothing 

 

I left thinking (d**n those spooky clear water bass) when I return I need to go with lighter line

8lb mono or all Flurocarbon, because 3 of my rods had 12 or 14 lb Mono. 

also thought maybe a drop shot would work. 

 

I've fished clear mountain lakes before and I've usually had more luck at night than during the day.  

But unfortunately a night bite will remain a mystery, because the park closes at dusk. 

 

 

[LonnieP]

Nice report. I live less than 4 miles from Wilcox but have never fished it before. Does it have a boat ramp?

[Brad Reams]

yep it's got a concrete ramp

it's kinda short, so I'm not sure I'd take a bass boat there

 

I'd scout the ramp first, before you bring your boat. 

 

 

[Sam]

Brad, I thought Wilcox is a "trolling motor only" lake. Is this still true?

 

However, the ramp is short and I have no idea if it can handle a bass boat. I know of no one who has put a bass boat in the lake so I am no help with that information.

 

I believe you can fish from the ramp to the highway in one direction and for about a half block in the other direction from the ramp.

 

You do need some sort of water transportation to fish the lake properly.

 

What is the most fun is honking your horn as you go under the old train bridge on the way to the lake.

 

Maybe it is time for me to revisit the lake one day when I am on I-85.

 

Thanks for posting this about an old forgotten lake.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard, Brad!

 

Thanks for the reports  

[LonnieP]

Thanks. I fish from a 10 foot Pond Prowler that I haul on an utility trailer so I'm sure the ramp is fine for me. I'll have to give Wilcox a try one evening after work. 

[Brad Reams]

5 hours ago, Sam said:

Brad, I thought Wilcox is a "trolling motor only" lake. Is this still true?

 

However, the ramp is short and I have no idea if it can handle a bass boat. I know of no one who has put a bass boat in the lake so I am no help with that information.

 

I believe you can fish from the ramp to the highway in one direction and for about a half block in the other direction from the ramp.

 

You do need some sort of water transportation to fish the lake properly.

 

What is the most fun is honking your horn as you go under the old train bridge on the way to the lake.

 

Maybe it is time for me to revisit the lake one day when I am on I-85.

 

Thanks for posting this about an old forgotten lake.

the posted sign regulations didn't say "electric only" but I was assuming that.  

The sign is a little "vague" in my opinion

. 

I was saying if someone did want launch a bass boat, and only use the trolling motor, I wouldn't advise it. 

 

Yep you gotta fish it from a boat, the banks are way too step, although I saw signs of bobber snags along the shoreline

3 hours ago, LonnieP said:

Thanks. I fish from a 10 foot Pond Prowler that I haul on an utility trailer so I'm sure the ramp is fine for me. I'll have to give Wilcox a try one evening after work. 

Definitely worth a try, I'll be interested to know how you do.  

good luck  

my selfy shot was a fail, arm was too short lol 

[Brad Reams]

 

8/26/19 Dept of Health issues advisory to stay away from contact Wilcox lake water until further notice

https://www.progress-index.com/news/20190826/harmful-algae-blooms-spark-closure-of-wilcox-lake

avoid swimming, wading or bathing in the area,” the VDH statement said. “This includes windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding; any activities which pose a risk of skin contact or accidentally ingesting the water.” 

 

I think it applies mostly to swimmers, but I guess it's saying be extra cautious, or you could get a severe case of the trots 

[Sam]

Wow!

 

There are a lot of people in Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Dinwiddie County who will never see this article and head for Wilcox.

 

Glad they closed the lake and posted signs to stay out of the water.

 

Scary situation and we don't know how many other small lakes and ponds are impacted.

[Avery V]

I'm very close to wilcox lake myself and have fished it a few times from a boat and shore. Only ever caught 2 fish 1 bass that was the same size as my zara spook and a little tiny crappie. I must be doing something wrong or this algae bloom messed them up. Yall had any luck lately? 

[Brad Reams]

23 hours ago, Avery V said:

I'm very close to wilcox lake myself and have fished it a few times from a boat and shore. Only ever caught 2 fish 1 bass that was the same size as my zara spook and a little tiny crappie. I must be doing something wrong or this algae bloom messed them up. Yall had any luck lately? 

Sunday I'm going back for round #2. I'll let you know 

[Brad Reams]

On 10/10/2019 at 2:25 PM, Avery V said:

I'm very close to wilcox lake myself and have fished it a few times from a boat and shore. Only ever caught 2 fish 1 bass that was the same size as my zara spook and a little tiny crappie. I must be doing something wrong or this algae bloom messed them up. Yall had any luck lately? 

Sunday fished Wilcox for 2-3 hours. 

Caught 4 and lost 2 nice ones (3+ lbs).

Tried lots of lures,  but all bites I had were on crankbaits & rattl traps 

 

good luck & tight lines