Lake Anna, VA - Now that Lake Anna is once again ice free anglers are beginning to get their money's worth on the annual fishing license. Water temperatures are still in the upper 30s and low 40s in the up lake region, 42 in the mid lake region and 50 at the Dike III discharge. Striper are still the top quarry for visiting anglers, though some are targeting largemouth bass and catching them, too. Crappie fishing has not yet begun. Here's what you can expect on your next visit.

Largemouth bass - The best regions to fish for green bass are mid lake and down lake. Large schools of threadfin shad have over-wintered in the area from the power plant down to Dike III and the bass have hung around them during these cold times. Some of the shad will work into Sturgeon Creek, others will stay out on the main lake. Seagulls often give away the location of these massive schools of food early in the morning when the surface is calm. You can try a suspending jerkbait in Sturgeon Creek or off main lake points from mid lake to down lake. Another lure catching bass is a belly spinner with a small plastic jerkbait on it. Metalheads are using blade baits like a 3/8-oz ice blue Crazy Blade and Toothache spoons to jig up largemouths, mostly around the power plant in water 25-38' deep. Expect the jerkbait bite to strengthen and the metal bite to fade as the fish move shallower into February.

Striper - Excellent fishing continues for anglers focusing their efforts in the mid and down lake region. While the Dike III action is slowing, the stretch from the power plant down to Dike I has been heating up. Look for seagulls "hiving" over shad and move into position with Toothache spoons, belly spinners, soft plastic jerkbaits on jig heads and swimbaits to see if striper are present. If the depth finder lights up, lower the metal and start jigging. Action has been consistent from the mouth of Sturgeon Creek to the Beaver Pond islands and into the Dike I bay. Dike III striper have so much to eat it's often difficult to get them to fall for your offerings. The best time to catch striper there is at dawn and dusk on shallow flats, otherwise you might consider vertical jigging or trolling deep off shore humps. As the lake warms, some fish will return to the 208 region, so don't forget your options.

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