Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Reports – November 2021

Blue Ridge: Level: 12 feet low. Temp: 68-70 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch reports, “The bite is starting to get good. The lake is starting to get close to winter pool, and the water temp is dropping since we’ve been having cooler weather. There has been some topwater action once the sun gets up, and you will see some fish breaking throughout the day. I always try keeping a couple of different topwater baits on the deck of the boat. This time of year I like using a chrome Whopper Plopper and a Zara Spook Jr. The baitfish that the bass have been chasing looks like this year’s herring and 3 inches long. We’ve been catching fish on the main body of the lake on deep, rocky banks and on long points using a drop shot, Ned rig and a 3.5-inch tube. Around noon, I will start making my way up the river targeting the deep, rocky banks and laydowns with the same baits. The bite is only going to get better as the lake temp continues to drop. Good luck.”  

Yellow Perch & Walleye: Guide Eric Crowley reports, “November fishing on Blue Ridge Lake for me is all about two fish: yellow perch and walleye. With the lake temps dropping, both species will be much shallower than the last couple of months. Look for the majority of fish in 20 to 40 feet of water. The walleye will be on the points, and the perch will be in the pockets. This is the time of year we switch to a vertical presentation versus trolling. For the walleye, I like 2- to 3-inch spoons, crawler harnesses or a jig-and-minnow combo. For the perch, the same lures apply, just go smaller. The walleye bite can be better at night, depending on the moon, but the perch are strictly daytime feeders. Focus on the dawn and dusk hours for the bigger fish. Walleye up to 26 inches and yellow perch up to 15 inches have been coming in the boat. As far as locating them goes, a good sonar unit is a must. You’re looking for rock to mud transition, or grass edges with structure. Even creek channels will hold fish as long as there is bait around there. Some areas to focus on are the areas around Points 5 and 6, as well as around all the islands. If you’re catching smaller fish, try upsizing the baits a little in the same area or working them a little higher off the bottom. The lake is at winter pool, and there are no available public docks, but the ramps remain open.”