Anna has begun to transition out of spring last month. Spawns finished up about two to three weeks early in many areas of the lake, but water temperatures only reached and remained above 70 degrees in late May. Anglers reported seeing some largemouth bass on beds last month. All that is over now, though, and visitors can expect a fine month of post-spawn activity from Anna’s bass, striper, wiper and crappie. Here’s what you can expect for a June visit.
Water temperature was 72-74 just before Memorial Day weekend, so the lake had almost returned to normal water temperatures.
Guide C.C. McCotter notes largemouth bass fishing in the mid lake region has again been the best this year so far. Down lake was decent, while up lake had not yet flourished per usual. The most largemouth bass fry clouds have been observed in the mid lake coves and creeks but there weren’t quite as many as last year.
McCotter says the annual shad and herring spawn on the June full moon will be interesting this year since many of them already spawned during May. If the shad and herring spawn again that should keep bass, striper and wiper feeding heavily this month.
When fishing in the mid lake region he suggests using topwater baits like a Berkley Fishing Surge Shad or Cordell CJ7 Redfin over points and humps. Follow that up with a dog walking bait or soft plastic jerk bait like a FITT Premium Lures River Darter (available at High Point Marina).
When the sun gets a few fingers over the treeline this month, consider switching to a shaky worm or crankbait and fishing offshore structure 6-12’. A swimbait is another good lure to use for schooling bass after the sun clears the trees.
According to McCotter, the Berkley Bad Shad and Flicker Shad crankbaits are good shad and herring imitation crankbaits to use this month after the morning bite ends.
Up lake fish are relating to the willow grass lines (often where shad spawn) and bluegill beds when the spawning carp aren’t churning them up!
Buzzbaits, frogs, poppers and wacky-rigged worms are good early up lake then it’s time to switch to the shaky head and a mid-depth running crankbait retrieved over rocks and brush.
If you fish a frog way up the North Anna or mid lake around willow grass, don’t be surprised to have a snakehead attack the bait!
Both striper and wiper were concentrated in the 208 region up to the first two bridges. They should remain schooled heavily in the mid lake region from The Splits down to the marinas at some point this month due to baitfish concentrations. Dike III has been only fair recently though that could change if herring return to this current-ladden area of the lower lake.
For June stripers you can cast topwaters over long, shallow, main lake points early, then vertically jig the new “Toothache” a.k.a. the KT Slab spoon or Capt. Mack’s Super Spoons available at High Point Marina when the fish go deep. Trolling umbrella rigs and deep diving Redfins is also working.
If you enjoy employing live bait like herring, you can catch a mess on downlines now, too. Just look for the fleet in the morning and you’ll find the striper, too. Most of the better schools will be found around Jetts Island and Rose Valley this month but don’t overlook the 208 region.
McCotter encourages you to release even 20” wiper as the more of these are left to grow, the better chance we’ll have of seeing a state record wiper, a fish that will fight harder than a comparably-sized striper! They also grow faster than striper and fare better in Anna’s hot summer water.
Just look at the 14.33-pound specimen Todd Lewis caught last month and certified on scales at Sturgeon Creek Marina. This is the heaviest wiper caught from Anna yet, but there is anticipation of heavier fish to come, perhaps this year, and certainly in years to come. The state record of 15-15 taken from Claytor Lake is the mark to beat. Our congratulations to Lewis who was fishing live bait when he caught the new lake record.
Crappie anglers will be happy to note there are plenty of fish back on bridge pilings now, but please don’t keep any fish under 10”. These fish are post-spawn hungry and feeding on small shad and invertebrates and but some still linger around up lake grass lines and shallow wood cover. Small, straight tail jigs and minnows on slip bobbers do best now. You’ll sometimes have a tricky time keeping the white perch off your minnows if you are fishing over deep structure now.
Sturgeon Creek Marina has always been a busy place for tournament anglers and staff is looking forward to the start of the Friday Night Summer Series Team Bass Tournaments June 2 and every Friday through August. You can also fish Sturgeon Creek’s Tuesday Night Bass Tournaments starting in June through August. Each circuit fishes from 6 pm to 9:30 pm.
Sturgeon Creek Marina is a convenient place to start your fishing day with ethanol free fuel both on and off the water, plenty of boat ramps, a great tackle shop and tournament facilities.
Over at High Point Marina, the Wood family wanted to thank everyone that visited over the Memorial Day holiday weekend and stayed in the Lighthouse Inn. This marina and motel complex features the lake’s largest tackle shop, convenience store with everything from bait and lures to water toys and apparel. High Point also offers ethanol free fuel both on and off the water.
Dave Fauntleroy at Fish Tales at Anna Point Marina reminds anglers that Fish Tales is headquarters for weekend tournaments like the Sunday Morning Bass Tournaments that run from 6 am to 11 am. The shop is a great place to start your fishing day with wide boat ramps, fuel on and off the water, drinks and snacks.
Dee Kidd at Anna’s Marine Center invites you to visit his selection of SKEETER, Nitro and TRACKER boats. Anna’s Marine Center has become the leading SKEETER dealer in the east. They also sell Tahoe runabouts, Sun TRACKER and Bennington pontoon boats.
Congratulations to SKEETER owner Matt Martin for winning the recent VAElite70 event on the tidal Potomac River. First place was $6,000 and he also wins another $5,000 in SKEETER contingency money! Now that’s how you make a boat payment!
If you have always wanted a Lund boat, you have Virginia’s top dealer on Lake Anna. Mid Atlantic Watersports has boats in stock and can order your any Lund model you want.
Check out Uncle Mike’s Tackle Shop in Elk Creek Country Store located on Kentucky Springs Road. The selection of tackle is fully stocked and hand-picked for use on Anna by non-other than long time tackle expert Fauntleroy. If you fish the cooling ponds or “hot” side there’s baits selected for those hot water-tolerant fish, too.. You can fuel up the truck and boat and pick up breakfast, lunch or dinner.
If you are ready to try camping at the lake, contact Christopher Run Campground as soon as possible and make a reservation. This lakeside, wooded park-like setting offers tent sites and camper sites and rents a limited number of cabins. Boat ramps and a fine camp store make Christopher Run a great fishing basecamp for the family.
Lake Anna Outfitters at High Point Marina is sells Feel Free, 3 Waters and SeaStream fishing and recreational model kayaks. You can order any kayak or shop from the models in stock. The shop has a few Feel Free Moken 10 V2 pedal drives in stock as well as the new Moken 10 Lite kayaks and the Feel Free Flash with Rapid Drive. You won’t find a better value on a full-featured stand-up ready fishing kayak with a massive seat.
