
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, June 5, 1995                   TAG: 9506060025
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOT SPOTS FOR 'GILLS

WESTERN BRANCH LAKE: This is Virginia's best citation sunfish producer. Last year, the 1,579-acre water-supply lake in Suffolk accounted for 821 citations. Most were shellcrackers. May and June are the top big-fish months. Gail Edwards of Suffolk caught seven citations last week, but the fishing appears to be a little less productive this year than last.

LAKE PRINCE: This is another Suffolk lake, with 777 acres that offer long, narrow coves that are ideal sunfish habitat. Last year, Prince had 314 sunfish citations, 110 of them caught in June. For additional information on this lake and most of the others mentioned here, a handy source is the free 1995 Freshwater Fishing Guide, published by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4010 W. Broad St., Richmond, 23230.

NOTTOWAY RIVER: It is difficult not to catch redbreast sunfish in this river, which begins in Nottoway County and forms the Chowan River in North Carolina. Rivers often aren't considered habitat for big sunfish, but Nottoway had 64 citations last year.

LAKE POWELL: The owner of this private lake near Williamsburg shuns publicity, but allows fee-fishing. Anglers last season registered 64 citations from the 62-acre lake.

BRIERY CREEK LAKE: Best known for its 10-pound-plus largemouth bass, this 845-acre, state-owned lake near Farmville also is a citation-sunfish hot spot. Last year, it produced 25 citations. The sunfish action currently is classified as ``outstanding.'' Fish 12 to 15 inches have been common, and one angler weighed a 1-pound, 9-ounce shellcracker. Crickets are a favorite bait. Fly fishing is growing in popularity. The lake contains a huge amount of cover for sunfish.

LONE STAR LAKE: This actually is a series of lakes in Suffolk, where sunfish grow to citation size.

GATEWOOD LAKE: Owned by the town of Pulaski, this 162-acre, cold-water impoundment is at the head of Peak Creek, a trout stream, which means the sunfish action starts a little later than down east, where the water warms up quicker. The first two weeks of June offer peak action for bedding fish. Warming temperatures stimulate the growth of grass beds, where bluegills can be caught all summer. Call (703)980-2561 for information.

LAKE ROBERTSON: Only 31 acres, this picturesque public lake is one of the best bluegill and redear sunfish impoundments in the western part of the state. A 50-unit campground and swimming pool nearby make it an ideal spot for all-around family fun. The lake is nine miles west of Lexington. Call (703)463-4164 for information.

FARM PONDS: Hundreds of farm ponds across the state, some so small they don't merit names, offer excellent bluegill fishing, especially where there is a proper balance of sunfish and bass. One of the largest sunfish of last season was a 4-pound, 4-ounce catch from a Rockingham County pond. Farm ponds are private property, so anglers need permission to fish them.

by CNB