Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Report – September 2022

Blue Ridge: Level: Full pool. Temp: 81 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch, of Welch’s Guide Service reports, “Fishing has been fair. With all the rain we’ve had lately, the water temp has started coming down. There has been a little topwater action going on throughout the day. I would recommend having a Whopper Plopper or Strike King Sexy Dawg Jr. tied on for quick access. We’re still catching fish on deep, rocky banks and points using a drop shot with a 6-inch Roboworm and also a shaky head with a 5-inch finesse worm. Once the sun gets up, I will start my way up the river targeting bluff points and deep, rocky banklines that the river runs next to. When they start dropping the lake, these areas will start holding more fish. Next month you should start seeing an increase in breaking fish due to the water starting to cool off. I always like using a Pop-R in the upcoming fall months. Also try a shad-patterned crankbait off rocky points.”

Lake Blue Ridge Page: Archived Articles, News & Fishing Reports

Walleye: Guide Eric Crowley, of Lake And Stream Guide Service, reports, “August was brutally hot and busy on the lake. We had some great days and nights fishing for walleye with lots of average-sized, 18- to 20-inch fish with a few 23- to 24-inch fish mixed in. The fish we were targeting were mainly in the 50- to 60-foot range. September on Blue Ridge Lake is a transition month. The first few weeks are summer, but by the end of the month, it will be fall. What does this mean for the fish? Time to move again. Look for the walleye to start moving up with the baitfish. As the month goes on and the water starts to cool off a bit, the bait will start to move back nearshore or move down to the bottom of the lake where temps are more stable. Both these scenarios are good for walleye fishing. The jigging spoon is the weapon of choice this month for us, and we fish a variety of colors and sizes depending on the reaction from the fish. The fish will start to hug the bottom on the points with bait. Mark the fish and drop the spoon straight down to them on light fluorocarbon leader and give it 10 or 15 jigs. If they don’t eat, move on. Don’t waste too much time on non-responsive fish. You can replace the spoon with a nightcrawler for a live-bait option. First light is going to be the best time as this is when the bait will start to move. Points 1, 4 and 5 have all had good schools of fish on or near them in the 40- to 60-foot range during the early morning hours. If they are not on the bottom, looking in the same depths just off these areas will reveal suspended fish. These fish are often easier to target as they will be a bit more active. The night bite is a good option, as well, as the walleye will move to feed on unprotected baitfish. Looking in 25 to 35 feet after dark is a great option to find feeding fish. The  lake is still at full pool now, but be aware. The annual drawdown will start by the month’s end.”