Northern Virginia lakes -- Woodbridge/Springfield/Dumfries area 2024

Matt in NOVA reply :

Hey fellas, I'd like to head out early tomorrow for a couple hours on a lake somewhere in NOVA, preferably not too far from Woodbridge, where I live. Someplace public that I can fish from the bank. I was thinking of trying one of the smaller lakes like Huntsman or Mercer, maybe Burke. I don't have a boat, so the Occoquan Reservoir, Occoquan River and the Potomac aren't the easiest for me to fish. (Or maybe I don't know where to go? I'm just trying to avoid trespassing.)

Can anyone give me some tips on specific locations to try at any of these lakes (or any other reasonably nearby NOVA lake)? I've caught a grand total of one LMB (well, one larger than a small bluegill) in my life, so I'm brand new to this game and having been struggling. I've been out roughly six times in the past two weeks and haven't even had a bite, at least as far as I know. (After doing some reading here, I realize that I may have had some bites and not even recognized them. I'm not sure.) I feel like I just have too many variables in play right now, in terms of type of lure, depth, color, retrieve, etc., and then on top of all that not even being sure if I'm fishing a potentially decent spot. So if anyone can give me any tips to maybe help narrow things down a little, I'd really appreciate it.

A.Do? reply :

All could be very productive but Burke will be tough. I'd try and beat the heat and go as early as possible. Also would help you beat the crowds. I'd expect Burke to get prettty crowded.

You could also fish the occoquan reservoir out of fountainhead and rent a jon boat there. it's going to be hot!

Matt in NOVA reply :

Yeah, I've rented jonboats at Fountainhead before, but it's a bit of a hassle and the $ adds up pretty quick. I figured if I found a good lake I might spend more time actually fishing, and have enough left over to replace the lures I'll probably lose. >

MrWrinkle reply :

If you're willing to get water-side at first light (and I really do mean first light...), Huntsman is usually good for a few fish among the rocks in the dam and then down under the trees on the "left" bank (the 'left' as you face the lake, standing on the dam). In my experience on Huntsman at this time of year, by 7:30am they'll be going deep and will get very hard to find/catch from the bank. Keep mobile and try and cover as much water as you can as early in the day as you can so you can pick off the 'easy' ones that are sitting shallow. Cranks are good, and you might still pick up one or two on buzzbait in low light. Shady spots might hold fish for a little longer.

I haven't fished Mercer as much so can't help you out too much there. Have always failed miserably from the bank at Burke.

I've had a lot of luck recently fishing Bull Run. Got this smallie just last week. It was one of four (though one was tiny...), plus several dozen bluegill/sunfish.

basscrusher reply :

Burke can be tough from shore. All the good spots are offshore this time of year.

Huntsman can be OK, there's another lake around there called Barton (check a Nova atlas) that was incredible when I fished it with friends. Just watch out for poison ivy. Worst case of my life. Actually, there are several small lakes in about a 5 mile radius of Hunstman that hold decent bass, but I can't remember the names. Check out a map and hit them up. Sorry I can't remember some names, maybe I'll research if I have time.

Also, hit up community ponds. As long as you're not noisy/littering, nobody tends to say anything.

Dan: reply :

Don't forget to use Google Maps or Bing Maps. There are lots of little ponds in the Woodbridge/Springfield area worth exploring.

Rocky1965 reply :

I actually hit Lake Barton today and yesterday and while I came up empty it was only last week when I got inspired there! I was using a small crankbait and caught two nice size sunfish...this was around 4ish in the afternoon and at an area that is right next to the basketball court. I heard of guys catchin' Bass/Catfish there but I aint never LOL Ive even taken my daughter there a few times and we fished over by the playground part and caught a few Bluegills etc...but always on crankbaits LOL Today i went with some plastic worms texas rigged But tomorrow I plan on hittin' Burke lake @ six am...Wish me luck...

Bigs reply :

please tell me you dont hold fish with pliers ? Thats a big no no unless you're gonna keep one to eat and bass dont taste very good

A.Do? reply :

I cringed when i saw that picture. good luck but get a lipper or gloves please

Matt in NOVA reply :

Thanks for all these tips, guys. I guess my newbie ignorance is showing, but it never occurred to me that some of these ponds I see around NOVA might hold worthwhile fish.

bigbasshunter reply :

First off, LMB wont bite you dono gt be scurd. Second go get you 4 double willow white spinners, 2- 3/8oz one w/big silver and small gold and one w/big gold and small silver and get 2- 1/2oz again one w/big small gold and one w/big gold and small silver. Try different retrieves till you a bite, then repeat what yout will catch were doing when you got that bite.

Its summer now and most bass are schooled up on drop offs and large structure. Contact with structure will catch the fish.

Matt in NOVA reply :

Back from Huntsman. I decided to take my fourteen year-old, and I also got a little turned around with the parking (never been there before), so we got out on the water a little later than I intended -- maybe 6:15 or so -- and we ended up fishing the north side of the lake, on the other side of the cove from the dam. Worked our way back down to the cove near the other end, where the culvert is. I caught a very small (maybe 8") smallie with a Hula Popper. A while later, near the mouth of the little creek, I caught a small (maybe 10"?) LMB on a buzzbait. Then I caught a truly tiny LMB on a little bitty buzzbait on the ultralight rod my daughter was using. (I'd just tied on the lure and decided to give it a couple casts.) Number One Daughter had a couple bites, but missed 'em. That's OK, though; this was the first time she ever fished without live bait and a bobber, so she has slightly more to learn than even I do.

This was the first time I've ever used buzzbaits, and I really like 'em. I always saw them on the rack and passed because I figured they'd get snagged if you looked at 'em wrong, but that turned out not to be the case at all. (No surprise to you guys, I know.) And I liked being able to control the lure's running depth so easily. I didn't even lose any lures today! Not in the water, anyway; a couple somehow fell out of my tacklebox at some point, tho. >

I have pics of the two larger fish. I'll post them when I get them downloaded, not because they're impressive at all, but just to show y'all that I really did catch something. All-in-all, it was nothing to write home about -- but it was still a little confidence booster for me. Catching small fish beats the heck out of catching no fish. Thanks for the help, all!

Rocky1965 reply :

Back from Burke lake...me and my nieghbor got there @ 6:30am and by 7:15 caught my 1st bass using my topwater ...and my 2nd around 7:45 maybe 8?(pic is of 2nd) My neighbor was using worms and a bobber and he didnt catch anything got a few bites but...that was a bout it. we left around nine-thirty...all in all my faith in B-lake is renewed Ill be catfishin there next friday night and prob even go back tomorrow morn for some more peir fishin...

Matt in NOVA reply :

Congrats. I almost always skip the piers because I figure those are going to be the most pressured fish ever.

Where do you do your catfishin' in Burke? For a few weeks in May and early June you could find one or more of my kids and I at the last little platform (the dirt one) down from the VDGIF parking lot, nearest to the dam, just about every Saturday night.

Rocky1965 reply :

Hey matt yeah those platforms are where you can find me on various Friday nights in july and august...Ive only caught a couple here and there and none too big either lol but im hopin too change al that this year LOL Hell im thinkin of hittin huntsman tomorrow mornin actually now...LOL

Matt in NOVA reply :

Yeah, we haven't caught any very big ones there, either. But we've caught enough to make it interesting, at least, and a couple that were worth cleaning. I've tried for flatheads in the Occoquan a couple times this year, but no luck with that yet.

Matt in NOVA reply :

If you do try Huntsman tomorrow, take the black buzzbaits. Those seemed to go over well. And make sure you know where to park! I blew that this morning, and it kind of messed us up.

Rocky1965 reply :

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If you do try Huntsman tomorrow, take the black buzzbaits. Those seemed to go over well. And make sure you know where to park! I blew that this morning, and it kind of messed us up.

Can you clue me in to the parking situation Ive never been to Huntsman and Ive got it logged into' my gps via the cooridnates so im leary as to where exactly ill end up lol

Matt in NOVA reply :

Well, the advice I got was to fish along the dam early with topwaters, then work along the left (south) side of the lake from there. To do that with minimal time wasted in walking, you'll want to park near the intersection of Golden Ball Tavern Ct. and Golden Leaf. There's a path that runs down along the dam near there; I know because I saw people walking on it, across the water from us. ;D There are signs up about needing a parking pass, but I'm pretty sure those only apply to the streets where the townhouses are actually located. I think on-street parking on Golden Ball Tavern is OK. But you can read as well as I can, so don't blame me if you get towed!

Rocky1965 reply :

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Well, the advice I got was to fish along the dam early with topwaters, then work along the left (south) side of the lake from there. To do that with minimal time wasted in walking, you'll want to park near the intersection of Golden Ball Tavern Ct. and Golden Leaf. There's a path that runs down along the dam near there; I know because I saw people walking on it, across the water from us. ;D There are signs up about needing a parking pass, but I'm pretty sure those only apply to the streets where the townhouses are actually located. I think on-street parking on Golden Ball Tavern is OK. But you can read as well as I can, so don't blame me if you get towed!

Roger that! ill check back in tomorrow afterwards...!

MrWrinkle reply :

Don't park in the side streets in front of the townhouses -- that's private. But parking on Golden Ball Tavern is fine (as long as you don't block a hydrant or something!). There are two "gates" in front of paths to the lake -- one near the Huntsman intersection, the other at the dam. Park near either of those to get to the water.

Matt in NOVA reply :

My six year-old was jealous, so after we got haircuts this morning I took him to a small pond that I've seen from the road many times. It was nasty. Basically a retention pond. Mucky, full of junk. Blech. Lots of hungry little bream in there, but no evidence of anything bigger than about five inches. Of course we were there at a terrible time of day, but I'm kind of skeptical anything could live in there long enough to get very big.

Rocky1965 reply :

Ok i overslept this mornin' so hopefully i will find the time this week to hit up Huntsman early one mornin'

Matt in NOVA reply :

I was on Mercer by 6:00. Total failure. I saw a few other guys out there. Anyone from here on Mercer this morning?

A.Do? reply :

Quote
Back from Huntsman. I decided to take my fourteen year-old, and I also got a little turned around with the parking (never been there before), so we got out on the water a little later than I intended -- maybe 6:15 or so -- and we ended up fishing the north side of the lake, on the other side of the cove from the dam. Worked our way back down to the cove near the other end, where the culvert is. I caught a very small (maybe 8") smallie with a Hula Popper. A while later, near the mouth of the little creek, I caught a small (maybe 10"?) LMB on a buzzbait. Then I caught a truly tiny LMB on a little bitty buzzbait on the ultralight rod my daughter was using. (I'd just tied on the lure and decided to give it a couple casts.) Number One Daughter had a couple bites, but missed 'em. That's OK, though; this was the first time she ever fished without live bait and a bobber, so she has slightly more to learn than even I do.
This was the first time I've ever used buzzbaits, and I really like 'em. I always saw them on the rack and passed because I figured they'd get snagged if you looked at 'em wrong, but that turned out not to be the case at all. (No surprise to you guys, I know.) And I liked being able to control the lure's running depth so easily. I didn't even lose any lures today! Not in the water, anyway; a couple somehow fell out of my tacklebox at some point, tho. >

I have pics of the two larger fish. I'll post them when I get them downloaded, not because they're impressive at all, but just to show y'all that I really did catch something. All-in-all, it was nothing to write home about -- but it was still a little confidence booster for me. Catching small fish beats the heck out of catching no fish. Thanks for the help, all!

Whoa! you caught a smallie in huntsman? I never knew they were in there..

Dan: reply :

Quote

Quote
Back from Huntsman. I decided to take my fourteen year-old, and I also got a little turned around with the parking (never been there before), so we got out on the water a little later than I intended -- maybe 6:15 or so -- and we ended up fishing the north side of the lake, on the other side of the cove from the dam. Worked our way back down to the cove near the other end, where the culvert is. I caught a very small (maybe 8") smallie with a Hula Popper. A while later, near the mouth of the little creek, I caught a small (maybe 10"?) LMB on a buzzbait. Then I caught a truly tiny LMB on a little bitty buzzbait on the ultralight rod my daughter was using. (I'd just tied on the lure and decided to give it a couple casts.) Number One Daughter had a couple bites, but missed 'em. That's OK, though; this was the first time she ever fished without live bait and a bobber, so she has slightly more to learn than even I do.
This was the first time I've ever used buzzbaits, and I really like 'em. I always saw them on the rack and passed because I figured they'd get snagged if you looked at 'em wrong, but that turned out not to be the case at all. (No surprise to you guys, I know.) And I liked being able to control the lure's running depth so easily. I didn't even lose any lures today! Not in the water, anyway; a couple somehow fell out of my tacklebox at some point, tho. >

I have pics of the two larger fish. I'll post them when I get them downloaded, not because they're impressive at all, but just to show y'all that I really did catch something. All-in-all, it was nothing to write home about -- but it was still a little confidence booster for me. Catching small fish beats the heck out of catching no fish. Thanks for the help, all!

Whoa! you caught a smallie in huntsman? I never knew they were in there..

:-/ :-X

Matt in NOVA reply :

I'm probably wrong about the species. The only way I know to tell the difference is to look at how far back the upper lip extends -- well behind the eye for a LMB, about even with the eye for SMB. This guy's lip looked to me to stop right around the middle of the eye. But I'm really new at this, so please don't take my word for anything. If something I say doesn't make sense, it's probably wrong.

Dan: reply :

lol, no worries. Just for future reference, I believe there is only one local NOVA lake that has smallies and that is Beaverdam Creek Reservoir in Ashburn. The rest will be in the rivers and some smaller creeks. I've heard of the occasional smallmouth in the Occoquan up near Bull Run but I don't know if that is common enough to be worth mentioning.

Once you get used to catching each species you'll be able to tell them apart with no problems.

Matt in NOVA reply :

Skunked by Mr. Bass at Huntsman this morning, which was especially frustrating because the guy down at the end of the dam seemed to be absolutely slaying them. > Was it one of you guys?

However, the morning was partly redeemed by the fact that on my way out I stopped and threw a few casts with a chartreuse and blue spinnerbait from my ultralight, and hooked into a beefy 21" channel cat. That was kind of exciting on 4# line; he put up a good fight. Should be good eatin'.

Rocky1965 reply :

Got to Burke Lake this mornin about 6:45and managed to catch a bass within an hour on a spinner. I stayed until about 10. Hell it was just nice to get out there and get my line wet and chat it up with the guys already there...Huntsman next week for sure (if not sooner LOL)

stevecastle reply :

Went to Huntsman on Monday morning at 6.30am. Picked up 3 smallish bass on the far side of the dam and 1 really nice 3 lb ish bass at the inlet. I don't carry a scale but it was 19-20" long and nice and fat. All were caught using a Texas rigged berkely power worm.

I'm thinking of trying Burke lake from the bank but am not sure if the fishing is deep now due to the temp.

Cheers Steve.

Ps. Wish the livebait crowd would stop leaving their trash everywhere. Itook a bag of trash with me as well.

Matt in NOVA reply :

Hey, Steve, when you say the inlet do you mean where the creek flows in, or the little cove on the far side of the dam? Or the narrow part right as you come down the path near the dam?

The far side of the dam is where the guy I saw on Saturday seemed to be cleaning up.

stevecastle reply :

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Hey, Steve, when you say the inlet do you mean where the creek flows in, or the little cove on the far side of the dam? Or the narrow part right as you come down the path near the dam?
The far side of the dam is where the guy I saw on Saturday seemed to be cleaning up.

I was on the point rounding into the cove on the far side of the dam.

Steve.

Matt in NOVA reply :

Ah, OK. I know exactly where you mean. I didn't have any luck there. Typical!

Rocky1965 reply :

I'm lookin' forward to hitting Huntsman this coming sunday myself...

stevecastle reply :

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I'm lookin' forward to hitting Huntsman this coming sunday myself...

I'll be down there tomorrow also. It'll be muddy and full with all the rain!

Steve.

Rocky1965 reply :

Hell I OVERslept again; I was up kinda late last night onnacountof I was @ the fights over @ the patriot Ctr. my father in law had his fighter on the undercard so I didnt get home and in bed till much later than normal for me LOL Let me know how you did Steve...

stevecastle reply :

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Hell I OVERslept again; I was up kinda late last night onnacountof I was @ the fights over @ the patriot Ctr. my father in law had his fighter on the undercard so I didnt get home and in bed till much later than normal for me LOL Let me know how you did Steve...

Pretty lousy morning. Muddy water much higher than before and very few bites. I got 2 little ones on a Rebel pop-r. Hopefully it will be better next weekend. Isn't it it supposed to slow the bite after a front goes thru?

Rocky1965 reply :

Isn't it it supposed to slow the bite after a front goes thru?

that sounds about right...LOL I dunno IF I can wait till next weekend Imight try to go there tonight actually...

Rocky1965 reply :

Never got to hit Hunstman Last night BUT I did hit Lake Royal on the way home from work caught one bluegill onna Jig...there were a quite a few anglers there! but nobody was really catchin' anything...not sure what the status of the Royal is since they redid it last year>?

Rocky1965 reply :

So last night I started @ Burke Lake(2am-5am) catfishin' my lil heart out and came up empty LOL no biggie There were a few others there who I dont think any better luck than me LOL it was nice too get out though...I got to Huntsman around 5:30 told myself I was gonna sit in the truck for a spell before gettin started...fast forward to 9am!!!! guess I needed that nap more than i realized LOL I went to breakfast then hit a lil creek over on Prosperity rd...caught one baby bass and two ro three blue gills using a spinner and a jig respectively...kinda started feelin good so off to Huntsman i went...Fished there from about 1-5 maybe longer? LOL caught a few Bluegills but managed to lose my best spinner and one popper LOL saw a guy catch a nice catfish another guy caught a bass so it was inscentive to stick around LOL finally decided I needed to try "Lake Braddock" Christ i live right round the corner from it (well a mile away) and never ever tried it before sooooI get there and lo and behold one bass tracker boat, numerous bank fishin etc.... I was like who knew????LOLI wouldnt have guessed it be so crowded??? I threw a few casts before I lost another spinner LOL and a nother popper LOL Got afew bites but landed nuthin....Still it was great to know somethin so close so accessible and the ppl were quite friendly too

mudkart reply :

L Braddock is private. Do what you will with that information.

Rocky1965 reply :

Indeed ...and i was lucky enough to be a "invited guest" as i couldnt find my way to it without the assistance of one lovely young woman and her dog, as I asked permission she she was more than happy to show me the way etc...I love livin in Burke (never thought Id say that LOL)

Rocky1965 reply :

I hit Huntsman today @ around 2ish stayed till 5:30 (not the best time of day I know but I needed to relax)caught three bluegills and one bass, using worms and crappie nibbles...

stevecastle reply :

Went down to Royal today at 11-30am for about 45 mins in between jobs. Caught 4 bass each around 1-2 lbs and my son caught one also.We were using Berkeley minnows with the fork tail. First time at Royal, that's a nice lake. Gonna try it again but not during the middle of the day. Tooooo hot!

We are going to Huntsman early Sunday, aiming for 5:30 to catch the topwater bite. I picked up a koppers livetarget bluegill crankbait to try at Huntsman. Also, my son picked up a bass pro shops mini zr9 hard swimbait which he modified himself. He was trying it in the bathtub and noticed it wasn't moving properly. So he removed the rear hook and split ring and now it swims perfectly.

I'll let you know how we get on at Huntsman on sunday.

Bigbarge50 reply :

Was also thinking huntsman possibly on sunday.....or burke. When I scouted Huntsman, looks like I could launch my inflatable but not use the trolling motor...... am I correct there?

stevecastle reply :

I believe you can use trolling motors but no outboards. I would check with the parks website though to be sure. My son and i are in the process of picking up a pair of float tubes to fish out of. Boats are not in my budget at the moment.

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Was also thinking huntsman possibly on sunday.....or burke. When I scouted Huntsman, looks like I could launch my inflatable but not use the trolling motor...... am I correct there?

bartoopuck reply :

ive canoed at hunstman with my trolling motor, and no one has said anything.

MrWrinkle reply :

I've seen guys use small trolling motors on Huntsman -- I think it's fine. I've never actually seen any park police there either, though...

Steve: float tubes are fantastic fun -- highly recommended! I used one for a few years until I upgraded to a pontoon boat (which I actually prefer over a kayak).

Rocky1965 reply :

Got to Huntsman @ about 630-6:45 landed this @ 7:30 not too mention numerous Bluegill but still no catfish :-( Met a couple of really cool guys down there with thier sons...hope to go back during the week...

stevecastle reply :

I think we were talking to you. We came out of the trees from the cove area. You had two rods set up and a small bass in the water.

We only got 3 smallish bass at Huntsman as the bite was really slow. We then went to a small lake in Reston and caught a dozen each. This made it a much better morning.

I suspect that the larger fish at Huntsman had moved into the centre of the lake to find cooler water. When i get the float tubes we will get out there after them!

Quote
Got to Huntsman @ about 630-6:45 landed this @ 7:30 not too mention numerous Bluegill but still no catfish :-( Met a couple of really cool guys down there with thier sons...hope to go back during the week...

stevecastle reply :

Glad to hear that the float tubes are a viable option. I figure we should be able to fish without waders for the rest of the summer and then pick some up for the fall as the water cools.

[quote aut

hor=182D3A313B3A335F0 link=1277494041/48#48 date=1279999654]I've seen guys use small trolling motors on Huntsman -- I think it's fine. I've never actually seen any park police there either, though...

Steve: float tubes are fantastic fun -- highly recommended! I used one for a few years until I upgraded to a pontoon boat (which I actually prefer over a kayak).

Rocky1965 reply :

Quote

I think we were talking to you. We came out of the trees from the cove area. You had two rods set up and a small bass in the water.

We only got 3 smallish bass at Huntsman as the bite was really slow. We then went to a small lake in Reston and caught a dozen each. This made it a much better morning.

I suspect that the larger fish at Huntsman had moved into the centre of the lake to find cooler water. When i get the float tubes we will get out there after them!

LOL oh wow yeah it was nice meeting you steve...glad to hear you had better luck in Reston!

Dan: reply :

Wow, there are white perch in Huntsman too?!?!

Bigbarge50 reply :

You guys are gonna laugh at this.....

After having to work some long hours on Saturday, I didn't hit the water at huntsman till about 10 am. I caught 4 bass, one very nice one at the 12pm mark in about 10ft of water. Was a good day on the lake and enjoyed my first time on it, just as hot as hell out there.

Here is the pics of the nice one.... just around 3.5 lbs and just about 19 inches. Guess it is a good one when you can't fit the fish in a picture holding it straight out in front of you. Hurts the perspective though. Threw in a scale picture to confirm the weight.

Think with the cooler weather when I leave work today I will go hit Burke, report to follow.

DieselvRR reply :

nice catch! were you on a canoe or kayak?

MrWrinkle reply :

Good job! It's a tough lake in hot conditions like that -- you should be very happy with that result! Were you fishing to one of the points, or just open water?

Bigbarge50 reply :

Was in this...... I run a 55 lbs thrust minn kota on it.

Was a little off a point.....more of a channel between some shallows and some deeper water it seemed. Without electronics kinda "felt it out" with a Carolina rigged worm.

I was surprised how cloudy the water was. Guess the two "creeks" that run off into each end will do that.

AnglerNFuego reply :

Nice catch!

Dan: reply :

I've never found Huntsman to get very clear, even when it hasn't rained for a while.

MrWrinkle reply :

Quote
I've never found Huntsman to get very clear, even when it hasn't rained for a while.

I agree. There's a very large population of turtles and carp in there and I think they help keep it cloudy as they do their thing in the mud. Plus there are a bunch of feeder streams. Lake Mercer, on the other hand, can get very clear. (That one's also well worth a visit too, for you guys new to Huntsman. It's just across the other side of the parkway.)

DieselvRR reply :

Went to Huntsman for the first time and fished the right and left cove of the d**n....nothing. Was only there for about 1 hr.

Bigbarge50 reply :

Are the regulations the same on Mercer? Drove right past the sign and pave driveway to it. I hope the boat launch would be easier..... lugging my gear and boat up and down that hill at huntsman was not a joy, especially at a sprint as I barely avoided the thunderstorms Sunday.

DieselvRR reply :

Mercer is a longer walk to get to the water but regs are the same

AnglerNFuego reply :

Mercer is a haul. Pack light my friend.

MrWrinkle reply :

Yeah, when I mentioned Mercer I should've also said it's not for heavy boats because of the walking involved. I see kayaks and the occasional float tube on there fairly often so folks do manage it somehow...

Bigbarge50 reply :

After Huntsman on sunday I went over and scouted mercer.... that is a hike and a half.

So when I go there, I obviously am going to need a cart for my boat. Do most people launch by walking across the d**n and down and around the path to that flatter area or do some people just wing it down that rocky path by the dam and go off that really small, kinda sketchy spot?

I am thinking the long walk, but even with the cart, I timed it out over ten minutes with no gear. Might make me hesitate, but all those stumps and trees look too good to pass up, even if the bite seems to be at fountainhead.

Rocky1965 reply :

I hit Lake Royal today tried out my new "shakesphere Tiger pole that i got for my birthday(this past friday) rigged up for some catfishin and ended up catchin two nice size blue gill with my other pole while waitin...then had to leave early to go pick up the wife....

AnglerNFuego reply :

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After Huntsman on sunday I went over and scouted mercer.... that is a hike and a half.
So when I go there, I obviously am going to need a cart for my boat. Do most people launch by walking across the d**n and down and around the path to that flatter area or do some people just wing it down that rocky path by the dam and go off that really small, kinda sketchy spot?

I am thinking the long walk, but even with the cart, I timed it out over ten minutes with no gear. Might make me hesitate, but all those stumps and trees look too good to pass up, even if the bite seems to be at fountainhead.

Yup, up the hill, to the left across the dam, around the bend, and into the water at the flat open area.

Bigbarge50 reply :

yikes.... well when I get a cart I am in. I have huntsman down to three trips up and down the hill to bring my stuff. The cart will be nice to reduce that to one as well.

How is the water temp at Royal Rocky?

Rocky1965 reply :

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yikes.... well when I get a cart I am in. I have huntsman down to three trips up and down the hill to bring my stuff. The cart will be nice to reduce that to one as well.
How is the water temp at Royal Rocky?

It was a lil on the warm side...but hey at least it wasnt as crowded as it was last week lol

Rocky1965 reply :

took my daughter and a neighbor down to Lake Barton @ 630am saturday mornin and caught NUTHIN but catfish LOL lots of baby cats and a few nicer ones nuthin too big really still it was great watchin the kids catch em...Pic is of my my neighbor goofin after catching one lol

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