Fishery Management of Claytor Lake, an Impoundment on the New River in Virginia

Abstract

Abstract Claytor Lake in Southwest Virginia, covering 4,495 acres of a mountainous section of Pulaski County, was formed by the construction of a dam in 1939. The lake is 21 miles long, has a maximum width of one-half mile, and a maximum normal pool elevation of 1,846 feet above sea level. During the period 1939–1946 the lake was stocked with 650,000 walleye fry, 74,854 young bluegills, 3,570 adult bluegills, 12,040 adult yellowbelly sunfish, 20,135 young largemouth bass, 10,813 adult largemouth bass, 3,000 young smallmouth bass, and 3,894 young white crappie. In spite of the heavy stocking, largemouth bass and yellowbelly sunfish failed to become important species in the lake. Until 1946 the impoundment was closed to walleye and bass fishing each year from December 31 to June 20. After 1946 all fishing was prohibited during the December 31 to June 20 period. The fishes of Claytor Lake exhibit slow growth for the first year but after the second year the growth rate is considered good. The bluegill is the ...