Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area is a popular fishing spot located in Virginia, USA, offering anglers a chance to catch a variety of fish species. Some of the prevalent fish species in Elkhorn Lake include largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie.

Besides fishing, visitors can also enjoy hiking and picnicking in the nearby area. Additionally, there are restrooms, a playground, and a boat launch available for visitors.

When fishing at Elkhorn Lake, it is recommended to use plastic worms, jigs, or live bait for largemouth bass and crappie. For bluegill, small jigs, worms, or crickets are the best options while catfish are typically caught using chicken livers or stink baits.

The best time to visit Elkhorn Lake for fishing is during the spring and fall seasons when the water temperature is around 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The average temperature during these seasons is around 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a comfortable time for outdoor activities.

Overall, Elkhorn Lake Day Use Area is a great spot for fishing enthusiasts looking to catch a variety of fish species and enjoy other outdoor activities in a beautiful setting.

Featured Fish - Black Crappie

It is an abundant species and is important both commercially and as a sport fish. Black crappies are easily caught, often as fast as the hook can be rebaited. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish: Though they show a definite family resemblance, they are distinctive enough that they shouldn’t be confused with any other species. The black crappie and the white crappie are most often confused with each other. Despite their common names, both species are the same color (dark olive or black dorsally with silvery sides) and both have spots on the sides. However, the pattern of the spotting is distinctly different. In the black crappie the spots are more or less irregular and scattered while in the white crappie the spots may be more vague and are clearly arranged into 7-9 vertical bars on the sides. Another distinction; the black crappie has 7-8 dorsal spines while the white crappie has only 6, the same number as in its anal fin. In body shape the black crappie’s is somewhat deeper than the white crappie.