Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Report – February 2022

Blue Ridge: Level: 5.4 feet below 1681. Temp: 49-50 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Eric Crowley reports, “Up, down, up, down, this lake level is like a roller coaster. Work on the dam has had TVA drawing water as fast as they can and mother nature is working to fill it up on the other end at the same time. Once you get past a never-ending water level change, the lake is starting to move into early spring patterns.  Don’t get too excited since the water is still very cold and most of the fish are moving pretty slow. The bass bite has been pretty good. Prespawn fish are feeding on small baits all over the main lake. They are in mid-level water around 30 to 40 feet just ambushing schools of bluebacks. When you mark a school of fish, you can almost count on catching a few.”

Guide Eric Welch reports, “The bite has been fair. We’ve had some crazy weather the past month with some warm days and some warm rain, which has brought the lake up and also the water temp. We’ve been marking bait in the 30- to 40-foot range. The fish I’ve been catching have been in the 20- to 40-foot range and have been right on the bottom. I’ve been starting the morning out fishing rocky, main-lake points with a 3.5-inch tube and a Ned rig. Once the sun gets up, I will start throwing a 1.5 Strike King square bill and a Rapala Big O. By midday, I will start my way up the river fishing the deep, rocky banks and laydowns with a Ned rig, drop shot and jig. Without a doubt my Garmin LiveScope locates fish that you will never see with 2D sonar until your boat is sitting on top of them. I start seeing my fish 45 to 50 feet in front of the boat. Then with SpotLock you can sit there and catch these fish before ever being on top of them. I’m also throwing a 3.25-inch swimbait. Also, the A-rig works good this time of year. Good luck.”

Walleye: Guide Eric Crowley reports, “Walleye are in the river around Points 5 stacking up waiting on the full moon.  Most are holding in 20 to 50 feet of water but only feeding at night really. They should be slowly working their way up river this month in anticipation of their spawn. The spawn will last a few nights, then they will move back out to the main lake and start gorging themselves in coming weeks. Crankbaits, jigs, minnows and spoons will be my go-to tactics this month covering lots of water. The males will be feeding throughout the month, even during the spawn as the females shut down while they recuperate from the stress of spawning.”