Bill Cochran

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“Walleye fishing in 2007 should be hot on the upper New River from Fries Dam downstream to Allisonia.”

That may sound like the over-exuberant statement of an outdoor writer anxious to sell a story, but it is not. It is a direct quote from a recently released walleye forecast by biologists of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Biologists, being the scientists that they are, generally are conservative when it comes to using buzz words like “hot,” but there it is.

You get no argument from Mike Smith, a walleye guide on the river.

“I have been guiding for walleye now for 10 years on Claytor Lake and the upper New River and the fishing has always been productive, especially in late winter and early spring. The better news is that the walleye fishery is definitely improving.”

Walleye remain a bit of an elusive character for the average angler, and it has taken a couple of decades or more for fisheries biologists to determine what nich this species can fill in Virginia.

Smith Mountain Lake, for example, once was considered Virginia’s premiere walleye water, but in time preference was given to striped bass, thus walleye stocking were discontinued. The Staunton River below Leesville Dam to Kerr Lake was a walleye hotspot years ago, but it no longer is mentioned in the DGIF walleye forecast. Nor is Gaston Lake.

Much of the walleye spotlight has been directed at the upper New River during recent years. For good reason. In the late 1990s, a cooperative study by DGIF and Virginia Teach identified a native strain of walleye in the river. Officials developed an aggressive program to propagate this strain, thinking it would do better than imported fish. It has.

“We are catching good numbers of 14- to 18-inch fish as a result as well as getting a few quality fish in the citation-size class, just as we have for years,” said Smith. “Our biggest walleye last year was 11.5 pounds and 31-inches long.” (The record is a 15-pound, 15-ounce New River catch.)

Biologists are delighted with the stocking success. Their samplings last year uncovered the best catch rate of walleye on record. Thus, the table is set for good fishing this season and in the future.

That action is about to begin.

“The ‘runs’ traditionally start in late February and last into April,” said Smith. “The fish usually spawn out when water temperatures reach the upper 40s.

Biologists pinpoint two main spawning grounds, one at Foster Falls the other below Buck Dam. There are additional spots worthy a try, including the Allisonia area where the river runs into Claytor Lake.

Guide Mike Smith with 10-pound, 30-inch walleye caught from the New River last season.

“The best way to fish for walleye is with live minnows, plastic jigs and by trolling plugs -- especially at night,” said Smith.

Be aware that there is a 20-inch minimum size limit on walleye in the river. Other walleye fisheries have customized length limits, so check the rules carefully.

Here’s a summary by DGIF biologists of walleye opportunities in addition to the New River:

PHILPOTT RESERVIOR: Take your measuring tape, because the majority of the walleye population here is in the 18-to 20-inch range and there is a new 18-inch minimum-size limit. An occasionally 6-to 8-pounder is caught here, but slow growth rates keep most fish well below that. The heart of the fishery is the good numbers of modest-size walleyes. April through June is a prime time to catch them for anglers who know where to look and what techniques to use.

LEESVILLE RESERVOIR: This fishery supports a large number of walleye, many in the 18- to 19-inch range, but some going above that to as much as 8 pounds. The most productive stretch is from Leesville Dam upstream to Mile Marker 6. One fun-type approach is to fish shallow-water after dark in May and June when floating or shallow-running lures are tossed into 2 feet of water. Although it is not mentioned in the DGIF forecast, Leesville Dam tailrace also contains walleye, as does the Staunton River from the dam downstream to Kerr Lake.

SOUTH HOLSTON RESERVOIR: Walleye fishing is year-round here, and the 2007 season holds much promise. The fishing begins in February when anglers work the spawning run near the community of Alvarado. This can last into April, then the approach is to go after walleyes feeding along the shorelines of the lake. With warm weather, the fish move deep and fishermen use lead core line and other techniques to reach them. Come fall and winter, jigging spoons, jigs and live minnows work.

FLANNAGAN RESERVOIR: There still are some walleye to be caught, but nothing like during the boom years of 2000 to 2004. A fish kill in 2004 reduced the population considerably. Fingerlings have been stocked with the hope that the population will rebound.

HUNGRY MOTHER LAKE: If you like the idea of catching walleye in a small environment, this 108-acre lake may be the spot. The walleye population has been increasing slightly. There are good numbers of fish up to 20 inches and enough bigger ones to keep anglers on edge. April, May and June are the best months, and night fishing should be considered.

LAKE WHITEHRUST: Spring and fall samplings last year uncovered excellent numbers of 18- to 23-inch walleye. A few measured nearly 25 inches. The 458-acre Virginia Beach water supply impoundment is stocked with about 45,000 walleye fingerlings per year. Studies show that the fish cover a lot of distance, and anglers need to do the same.

LAKE ORANGE: The walleye grow rate here is fast to age 4, reaching 20 inches and 3 pounds, then it slows. Few fish reach 26 inches. The annual walleye stocking rate for the 124-acre impoundment is 100 fish per acre.