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Smith Mountain Lake Striper Fishing

Virginia

2007 Biologists report for Smith Mountain Lake

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Striper fishing forum for Smith Mountain Lake and other freshwater impoundments

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Smith Mountain Lake is a 20,600-acre impoundment located near Roanoke in Bedford and Franklin counties. This reservoir is one of Virginia's premier fisheries, offering outstanding fishing and a vast array of other recreational opportunities. The reservoir is owned by American Electric Power Company and is managed by this company primarily for hydroelectric power generation. Smith Mountain Lake was created to generate electricity, and to help manage water flows downstream and nearby. The damming of the Blackwater and Roanoke Rivers formed Smith Mountain Lake in a filling process that began on September 24, 1963 -- and ended almost 2.5 years later on March 7, 1966.

Smith Mountain Lake's highest water level ("full pond") is 795 feet above sea level. Normally there is very little seasonal variation in the water level. The typical daily variation for electricity production is 12-24 inches. During severe drought conditions, lake levels can fall by four feet or more.

The US Army Corps of Engineers publishes a daily water level report) Surrounded by mountains, SML's deepest point is about 250 feet, near the dam itself. Outside the lake's many coves, 100-150 feet is typical. Most of the shoreline is developed with residential homes but other facilities catering to outdoor enthusiasts are found at various locations.

The striper fishery has to be the most notable fishery on Smith Mountain Lake. Striped bass are the second most popular sport fish at Smith Mountain Lake. Striped bass have been stocked into this reservoir since impoundment in 1963. Limited spawning habitat for striped bass prevents natural reproduction. Stocking is required to maintain the fishery unlike other species such as bass, crappie, catfish, and shad. Stocking rates for striped bass were increased from 300,000 to 450,000 fingerlings annually in 1998. Different stocking methods in conjunction with increased stocking rates recently increased the striped bass population.

Recent good year-classes of stripers (from 1998 and 2001) are producing many fish up to 28 inches. Stripers are distributed throughout the lake during most of the year but are concentrated in lower lake areas during the summer and early fall months. Coves are typically not very productive for striped bass during the summer months so anglers should concentrate their efforts on the main lake when water temperatures begin to rise. However, the backs of coves, which contain flowing streams, can be productive during the winter and early months. Look for springschools of shad in these areas especially during warming trends when the streams are warmer than the reservoir. Striped bass anglers utilize a variety of fishing methods such as drifting live bait, trolling plugs and bucktail jigs, or casting top water lures. Anglers use live bait throughout the year, trolling is most popular during the warmer months, and casting top water or shallow running plugs is most productive during the spring at night. Most striped bass are caught between the dams and buoy 64 of the Roanoke Arm and up to buoy 40 of the Blackwater Arm. Although these are the general areas most striped bass are caught, these fish are very mobile and may change locations continuously depending on forage availability, water temperatures, and spawning.

Anglers should not release legal size striped bass during the summer months. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries encourages striped bass anglers to quit fishing after catching their limit in the months of June-September. Most of these fish released during the summer months will not survive! A voluntary catch-and-release (no harvest) season is recommended for striped bass from October through May to help build population abundance and fish size.

A striped bass tagging study was initiated in the fall of 2001 to provide biologists with information on striped bass catch rates, harvest rates, movement, survival, and population dynamics. The fish tags are yellow and approximately three inches in length. The tags are attached to the abdominal area of the fish and should be easily recognized without dissection. Tagged fish do not have to be harvested to collect the reward. Cut or clip tags (do not pull tags loose) from fish you wish to release. Anglers are encouraged to submit all tags collected from striped bass to the address printed on the tag. There is a reward of $5-$50 for all returned tags.
Numerous public and private boat ramps and marinas are found around the lake. In addition, there is a very nice handicapped-accessible fishing pier at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park boat launching area. Additional information on lodging, marinas, and other attractions can be obtained by calling the Smith Mountain Lake Visitors Center at 1-800-676-8203.

 

 

Public Boating Access at Smith Mountain Lake

Bedford - Water Status: 4' Low Concrete ramp at OakHollowRd
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Bedford - Water Status: 4' 2 Concrete ramps at Rt 634
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Courtesy of Virginia Game and inland fisheries