Winter lakes in VA

[Brian4618]

Plannin on takin out the boat with my cousin this winter break but cant decide where to go. Was thinkin about goin to the Chick or somewhere small like Harrison Lake down in Charles City. Was hopping you guys could give me some advice on some good winter spots, and where to look for the fish at that lake. Thanks

[soccplayer07]

my vote would be Burke lake, occ river and the occ res. I'm not sure of your driving limitations though.

[Thai]

Why not the warm side of Anna? That's not too far from you

[XLFISH]

This guy lives in Mechanicsville. I would not wish Burke lake on anyone. The fish school fairly tight on Briery Creek Lake in the winter and it is still the best trophy lake in Va. That is only a one or one and a half hour drive. Sandy River Res. is a little closer. Lake Nottoway off of RT 360 is even closer. Swift Creek res is only 30 minutes from you. The Chick was not a bad choice either. The York River is not a bad idea. You can catch striper in the lower James right now. Call Eberwiens catfishing and he gaurantees citation blue cats on the James River in Hopewell which is just down the road from you. I have caught then with him up to 72 pounds. Not a largemouth but still a goliath fish and fun to catch on a ST Croix musky rod. You see Glenn, I can play nice.

[Thai]

Briery and Sandy are both excellent for big trophy bass I dont know how good the winter fishing is there but fish gotta eat year long, Swift Creek doesnt really produce large fish since it is overrun by non game fish from the river...

Chesdin Reservoir is also another choice for you, bass over 20" can be had there and they have a decent population of walleye and theres also a chance you can catch a striper

XL is right about Burke it's too far and unrealistic for you to drive up there. I wouldn't agree with his statement of not wishing it on anybody. If you're used to fishing a non pressured lake all to yourself youself you would say Burke is unfishable but if you know what you're doing there are fish to be had at Burke...

[XLFISH]

Thai I graduated from West Springfield H.S. I lived ten minutes from B. Lake and spent 30 years in Norhtern Va. I used to drive right past the Res and the lake to fish elsewhere. B. Lake is tired, but if you had no or limited options I guess it woulod do. I woulod fish it at night though. You would be vey surprised at how many citations come out of Swift Creek Res. Actually its about twenty times that of B. Lake. Again I drive by it to fish Briery though. Mechanicsville, I hope we have been of some help here and I am going to shove off now. Thai have a good night.

[Dan:]

You know what, I think I probably agree with XLFISH. I'm just not a fan of Burke.

[quanjig]

XL speaks the truth from knowledge of the area.  He would much rather fish lake X or someplace south of Va.  XL is of the same cloth as shimmy, he would much rather fish for big fish than spen countless hours jacking up the keepers!!

[NewAngler]

XL speaks very highly of Breiry Lake, I may have to make a trip out there sometime soon.

[Thai]

XL speaks very highly of Breiry Lake, I may have to make a trip out there sometime soon.

Unless you have a boat, fishing from the bank will be hard and prob wont produce anything of size

and it does seem like XL knows what he is talking about and Burke would be a lost cause for someone not familiar with the lake or not willing to learn it

[Wayne P.]

I have to agree about Briery Creek Lake and Sandy River Res.. I have fish both lakes since they were first opened to fishing and even though both are over a hour and 1/2 drive for me, it's worth the trip anytime. I fish Briery just about every week all year if it is not frozen or there is winter precipitation of any type. Sandy is the best for fishing in the cold months when bottom bouncing presentations with spoons and blade baits are the lures of choice. The double digit bass at Briery are easier to land during cold weather if you manage to hook one.

If you don't mind fishing out of state, then try Hyco Res. in North Carolina as it is a power plant lake. It is not far from Danville and South Boston.

On any body of water, concentrate on the steepest bottom contour and/or on a major breakline like creek channel edges.

[Dan:]

I have to agree about Briery Creek Lake and Sandy River Res.. I have fish both lakes since they were first opened to fishing and even though both are over a hour and 1/2 drive for me, it's worth the trip anytime. I fish Briery just about every week all year if it is not frozen or there is winter precipitation of any type. Sandy is the best for fishing in the cold months when bottom bouncing presentations with spoons and blade baits are the lures of choice. The double digit bass at Briery are easier to land during cold weather if you manage to hook one.

If you don't mind fishing out of state, then try Hyco Res. in North Carolina as it is a power plant lake. It is not far from Danville and South Boston.

On any body of water, concentrate on the steepest bottom contour and/or on a major breakline like creek channel edges.

I was hoping you would make a post in this thread, Wayne.

Are you planning on attending the Richmond Fishing Expo again this year?

[hokiefisherman93]

You can catch striper in the lower James right now

Where abouts on the lower james are they pulling them out of and on what kinds of bait?  I have never hooked in to a striper on the river, but have always wanted to.

[Thai]

I hear you can catch them under i95 bridge

[Wayne P.]

Dan, I probably will and may attend all days.

[Wayne P.]

Thai, many 8# plus bass have been caught by shore anglers fishing beside the original parking lot/ramp near the dam (where the handicap pier is now). Also several each year are caught from the boat dock at the 701 ramp. I know a guy that caught one over 12# from that dock this year.

[Thai]

True but there's are alot of factors im sure that played into that, Im sure if Josh were to drive the 2.5 hours to Briery it would be a wise idea to have a boat and a way of locating the fish rather than hoping for some decent shorefishing

[Brian4618]

I think me and my cousin decided that we are goin to try the Chick Lake if the weather is nice sometime in the week after next. Would you guys put in at Ed Allens or Eagles Landing? Which one has the best fishin this time of year? Where should i concentrate most of my fishin aslo? Thanks, Brian.

[s13john]

id go to briery its a great lake ( just watch out for those stumps). i havent been in a while but ive always had good luck their. last January i caught a 6-7lb bass fishing from the shore were the handicap pier is. luckily im only like 20 min away so i try and go as much as i can. if you dont catch any fish briery is still a good trip i always have a good time ... soooo many spots on that lake soo little time.