Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Report – July 2024

Blue Ridge: Level: 0.4 feet above 1686. Temp: 81-83 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Eric Welch, of Welch’s Guide Service, reports, “Fishing has been fair. With Blue Ridge being a smaller lake, the fishing can get a little tough during the summer months with the recreational traffic. I’m going to start out fishing deep, rocky banks on the main body with a drop shot with a 6-inch Roboworm. I also will fish a Texas rig with 1/8-oz. weight and a 5-inch green-pumpkin finesse worm. I will also fish some docks with a Zoom Fluke and throw a 3/16-oz. shaky head. Always keep a topwater bait on the deck of the boat in case some fish start breaking. When I start up the river, I’m targeting deep banks and laydowns. I will be using the same baits that I fish on the main body.” 

Walleye: Guide Eric Crowley, of Lake And Stream Guide Service, reports, “Summer is here, and the boat traffic is ridiculous at times. Starting early or fishing during the week will help avoid the crowds and has been resulting in some really nice fish. The walleye bite has been on and off with this extended bait spawn we are having. Some fish are on the bait, while some have moved out to deeper water already. That should wrap up shortly, and the majority of the fish will stack up in the 40- to 50-foot range. Trolling crankbaits above them is always a good tactic. There’s baits now that can reach effective depths on braided line, like a Rapala DT20, Deep Tail Dancer and the Bandit Walleye Deep. When you put it in their face, they tend to strike it. Change colors if you’re not getting bit and adjust your speed, as well. A good range has been 1.5 to 2 mph. The average fish is a little bigger so far this year at 21 inches, compared to last year at 20 inches, so that is good news for the overall population.”

Lake Blue Ridge Page: Archived Articles, Fishing Reports and Official Lake Records

Trout: Guide Eric Crowley, of Lake And Stream Guide Service, reports, “The trout bite has been off the charts for about three weeks now, with our average rainbow coming in at 16 to 17 inches and several fish at the 20-inch mark. Live bait, spoons and Rapalas have all been putting fish in the boat. Look for them on the graph and get baits to them quickly, as they are on the move chasing bait balls. There seems to be several schools of trout working each cove or creek on the lake, and they are never far from the bait. Good luck, and look out for the rental boats.”