Lake Anna, Striper Fishing Opportunities
by VDGIF
The striped bass population is maintained by annual stocking. Stripers grow well in Lake Anna, at least for the first few years, and quickly attain the legal size of 20 inches in about 30 months. However, growth of older fish slows due to the lack of good striped bass habitat (cool, well oxygenated water) during summer and early fall months. However, an excellent fishery has developed within the capacity of available habitat.
A major winter fishery has developed when stripers can be observed feeding near the surface. These fish can be caught with lures (e.g., sassy shads, redfins, bucktails) or live bait (gizzard shad or blueback herring, with the nod going to the latter if you can catch them).
The outlook for striped bass is bright, as netting in winter 2008 indicated population density was above average with ample adult fish, and exceptional year classes recently established were nearing harvestable size.
A major winter fishery has developed when stripers can be observed feeding near the surface. These fish can be caught with lures (e.g., sassy shads, redfins, bucktails) or live bait (gizzard shad or blueback herring, with the nod going to the latter if you can catch them).
The outlook for striped bass is bright, as netting in winter 2008 indicated population density was above average with ample adult fish, and exceptional year classes recently established were nearing harvestable size.
