SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE FISHING REPORT
March 2022http://www.captaindalewilson.us
DALE WILSON’S
SML GUIDE SERVICE
PHONE NO: 540-297-5650 / 540-874-4950
www.captaindalewilson.us
Woody Turner from Roanoke caught & released this 15 lb striper 3/2/22
March is usually a great month to fish. Spring is right around the corner and water temperatures are rising which will improve fishing opportunities.
Water temperature will be in the 50s to low 60s this month. Night fishing will improve this month.
Largemouth bass
Fishing for largemouth bass will be good this month. As water temperature rises, fish will become more active in preparation for the spawn. Best lures will be jerk baits, jigs, swim baits, Alabama rigs, spinner baits and crank baits. Shallow points, areas with stumps, rocky areas and shallow coves will be the best areas to try later in the month. Best depths will be from 2 to 15 feet. Crawfish are a big part of their diet during the spring. As the water warms, baitfish will move to the shallow areas of the lake. Please practice catch and release, especially during the spawn.
Smallmouth bass
Fishing will be good. Best areas will be flats, humps, stumps and rocky points. Best lures will be tubes, jig and pig, hair jigs, drop shots, Ned rigs, jerk baits and shallow-running crank baits. Best areas will be in the mid- to the lower-sections of the lake. Cloudy days with light wind are good times to try your luck. Look for areas with rocks and stumps close to the deep water and isolated rock piles near deep water. Smallmouth bass feed heavily on crawfish this time of year.
Striped bass
Striper fishing will be good at night this month. Stripers will be caught in both rivers and in all the large main creeks. Best lures will be swim baits, buck tails, Alabama rigs and Zoom flukes fished on 1/4- to 3/8-ounce lead heads. The best times to fish are cloudy days, early morning and late afternoon. The best depths will be from the surface to 30 feet. Live bait fished on down lines and planer boards will work well. This is also a good month to troll as the stripers can be caught in shallow water. The stripers will constantly be on the move this month. Look for them in shallow water on main and secondary points, especially just before dark.
Crappie
March is a good month to crappie fish. The best depths will be 5 to 10 feet. Crappie will be found around docks, brush piles, stumps and fallen trees. Docks with brush piles are usually better areas to hold crappie. Small live minnows and 1½- to 2-inch tubes or shad-shaped plastic lures fished on 1/32- to 1/16-ounce lead heads will work best to catch crappie this month. Best areas are the main creeks and the upper sections of both rivers.
Tips of the month
The baitfish will start to move to the back of the creeks and the shallow points as the water temperature rises. Night fishing will be good this month. It will improve as the water temperature rises. Wear a life jacket and never fish alone at night. Keep running lights on after dark. Remember to practice catch and release and take a kid fishing.