The New River Walleye: A breed unto itself

   

                      

The Spawning Secrets of New River Walleye: A Virginia Treasure

The New River in southwestern Virginia is more than just a scenic waterway—it’s a living archive of an extraordinary fishery, anchored by the iconic walleye (Sander vitreus). While walleye are broadly distributed across North America, the population tied to the New River stands out as a distinct and historically significant strain, with unique genetic roots and specialized spawning behaviors that set it apart from its northern lake-dwelling cousins. �

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A Unique Walleye Legacy: History and Genetics

Long before modern fisheries management, walleye naturally occupied the New River drainage. Genetic studies have revealed that the New River population harbors unique DNA signatures not found in Great Lakes or many other eastern stocks—suggesting a long-term, riverine-adapted lineage that persisted here through climatic and geological shifts. These “river walleyes” likely became isolated from other populations during glacial movements, evolving traits favorable for river life rather than lake environments. �

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Research highlights several novel mitochondrial DNA haplotypes and microsatellite alleles specific to New River fish, pointing to a distinct genetic identity. This unique genetic make-up has conservation implications: managers seek to conserve the native stock even as stocking histories and dams have shaped present-day populations. �

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In fact, until the late 1990s, hatchery stockings often introduced non-native walleye into the system. Once genetic analyses confirmed the persistence of native lineages, restoration programs shifted toward marker-assisted selection to support spawning of locally adapted fish. �

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When Walleyes Spawn: Water Temperatures and Timing

Walleye are cool-water spawners whose reproductive cycles are tightly linked to the seasonal rise of water temperatures. As winter wanes and days lengthen in early spring, walleyes begin their annual migration to spawning areas when water temps reach roughly 40–50°F (4–10°C). Most spawning activity peaks in the upper 40s to lower 50s°F range. �

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These temperature cues are critical: too cold and eggs won’t develop; too warm and timing can be disrupted. In the New River, this window often occurs from late February through April, depending on winter severity and annual climatic rhythms. �

Virginia Wildlife Resources

Migration Corridors: Moving Upstream to Spawn

Before spawning, adult walleyes undergo a pre-spawn migration from their wintering and feeding areas. In river systems like the New River, fish move upstream into headwaters and flowing reaches that offer the right cues and substrates for reproduction.

Historically, stretches around Foster Falls, Buck Dam, and upstream riffles have served as key spawning locations, with fish showing strong site fidelity—meaning they return to the same gravel and rock-bottomed areas year after year. �

VTechWorks

However, migration corridors are not without obstacles. The construction of dams such as Claytor and Buck has altered natural access to traditional spawning reaches. These structures have inundated habitats and limited upstream passage, leading to adaptive shifts in how and where walleyes spawn and underscoring the importance of strategic management. �

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Preferred Habitat: Flow, Rocks, and Clean Substrates

Once in spawning areas, walleyes look for specific physical conditions:

Shallow to moderate depths where sunlight warms the water just enough to trigger spawning. �

Biology Insights

Hard, clean substrates like gravel, cobble, and rock riffles, which are ideal for egg adhesion. Sticky walleye eggs remain stuck in crevices, safe from being smothered by silt. �

Biology Insights

Gentle current, which helps keep eggs well-oxygenated and free of fine sediment that can impede development. �

Biology Insights

In the New River, such habitats are scattered along rocky runs, around shallow shoals, and in riffle zones just downstream of obstructions or constrictions. These spots offer the oxygenation and substrate complexity that walleye eggs need to survive. �

Virginia Wildlife Resources

Spawning Behavior and Ecological Notes

Unlike nest-building fish, walleyes release eggs and milt into the water column simultaneously, allowing fertilization to occur while eggs settle and stick to the bottom. Females can lay tens of thousands to more than 100,000 eggs in a single event. �

Chesapeake Bay

After spawning, adults typically disperse back to deeper, cooler stretches of the river. The eggs will take roughly 10–30 days to hatch, depending on water temperature. Larval walleyes then drift and grow in nursery areas before integrating into the broader river population. �

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Conservation and Future Outlook

Today, walleye in the New River are managed with both recreational fishing and conservation goals in mind. State agencies monitor spawning migrations, regulate harvest during sensitive periods, and use stocking strategically to support populations and genetic integrity. �

Virginia Wildlife Resources

Understanding spawning habits—from water temperature cues to habitat preferences and migration corridors—is essential for anglers and conservationists alike. Protecting these conditions ensures that each spring, the New River continues to host one of the Southeast’s most remarkable walleye reproductive cycles.

cicadas and small mouth bass

Cicadas & Smallmouth: A Rhythmic Dance on the New River

 Each summer, the New River in Virginia hums with more than just the flow of ancient water—it pulses with the electric buzz of cicadas. These enigmatic insects, often misunderstood as mere noisemakers, play a surprisingly vital role in the river’s ecosystem, especially as a seasonal buffet for one of its most prized game fish: the smallmouth bass. 

 The Life Cycle of Virginia’s Cicadas 

Virginia is home to both annual and periodical cicadas:  Annual Cicadas (Neotibicen spp.) - Emerge every summer, typically from late June through August. - Known as “dog-day cicadas” for their appearance during the hottest days. - Greenish-black bodies with black eyes; blend well into foliage. - Life cycle: 2–5 years underground, but emergences are staggered, so some appear every year. ⏳ Periodical Cicadas (Magicicada spp.) - Emerge in synchronized broods every 13 or 17 years. - 2025 marks the emergence of Brood XIV in Virginia, one of the largest 17-year broods. - Black bodies with striking red eyes. - Life cycle: - Eggs laid in tree branches. - Nymphs drop to the ground, burrow, and feed on tree root sap. - After 13 or 17 years, they emerge en masse when soil temps reach ~64°F. - They molt into winged adults, mate, and die within 4–6 weeks. 

 Cicadas as Forage

: A Smallmouth Bass Feast When cicadas emerge—especially the periodical broods—they create a rare and rich feeding opportunity for smallmouth bass. Why Smallmouth Love Cicadas: - High-Calorie Snack: Cicadas are protein-packed and easy to catch. - Surface Vulnerability: Their clumsy flight and frequent falls into the water make them ideal topwater targets. - Predator Saturation: With millions emerging per acre, predators like bass can gorge without exhausting the supply. Timing the Hatch: - Annual Cicadas: Peak in July and August—prime time for topwater action. - Periodical Cicadas: Emerge in May–June, depending on brood and soil temps. 

 Tactics for Anglers: Matching the Hatch

Smallmouth bass on the New River become hyper-focused on cicadas during peak emergence. Here’s how to capitalize: 

 Fly Fishing - Use cicada imitations like foam-bodied poppers or deer-hair bugs. - Cast near overhanging limbs, slow banks, and eddies. - Let the fly land with a “splat”—the noise draws attention. - Allow the fish to “sip” the fly before setting the hook. 

 Conventional Tackle - Use topwater lures like: - Rebel Pop-R - Heddon Tiny Torpedo - Custom cicada plugs - Fish across riffles, seams, and slack water near structure. - Midday can be surprisingly productive, especially in slow, shaded stretches. 

 The New River: A Perfect Stage

 The New River, one of the oldest rivers in the world, offers ideal habitat for this seasonal drama: - Clear, warm water in summer enhances topwater visibility. - Abundant structure—boulders, ledges, and timber—provides ambush points. - Stable summer flows make for consistent fishing conditions. 

 Ecological Significance Beyond fishing, cicadas enrich the river ecosystem: - Nutrient Cycling: Decomposing cicadas fertilize riparian zones. - Food Web Boost: Birds, mammals, and fish all benefit from the protein surge. 

Predator-Prey Synchrony: Their emergence patterns may even influence fish behavior and growth cycles. 

 Final Cast

 For anglers on the New River, cicada season is more than a novelty—it’s a window into a primal rhythm that connects insect, fish, and fisherman. Whether you're casting a foam-bodied fly or twitching a topwater plug, remember: every splash and strike is part of a 17-year crescendo. 

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  🎣 Mastering the Ned Rig: A Finesse Fishing Favorite

  The fishing world is full of trends that rise quickly and fade just as fast—but every so often, something simple, subtle, and downright effective breaks the mold. Enter the Ned Rig, a finesse fishing technique that’s quietly revolutionized bass fishing across the country. Known for turning even the most sluggish fish into active biters, the Ned Rig may be small in size, but its results are anything but.

  In this article, we’ll break down what makes the Ned Rig so effective, share battle-tested techniques, and dive into the best environmental conditions to maximize your success.

  🧰 What Is a Ned Rig?

  At its core, the Ned Rig is a simple combination:

  • A small soft plastic stick bait, often no longer than 3 inches
  • A light mushroom-style jig head, typically 1/16 to 1/10 oz

  The result is a subtle, buoyant presentation that darts, drifts, and glides—mimicking distressed or curious forage in a way that bass find hard to resist. Though originally developed for finesse applications, it’s now a staple for both recreational anglers and tournament pros.

  🎯 Why the Ned Rig Works

  • Subtle Movement: Its understated action triggers strikes from fish that ignore flashier lures.
  • Buoyancy: Many soft plastics float, allowing the bait to stand upright on the bottom—imitating feeding baitfish or insects.
  • Compact Profile: Ideal for pressured fish, cold fronts, or heavily fished waters.
  • Versatility: From smallmouth in clear northern lakes to largemouth in weedy coves, the Ned Rig adapts.

  🛠️ Gear Recommendations

  If you're building a Ned Rig setup, keep it light and sensitive:

  Component	Recommendation
  Rod	Medium-light spinning rod, 6’6” to 7’	Fast action tip
  Reel	2000–2500 size spinning reel with smooth drag
  Line	6–10 lb braided mainline with 6–8 lb fluorocarbon leader
  Jig Head	1/16 oz to 1/10 oz mushroom jig with exposed hook
  Plastics	Z-Man TRD, Strike King Ned Ocho, Yum Ned Dinger, etc.

  Look for plastics made with buoyant materials, which enhance the presentation when your rig hits the bottom.

  🌀 Techniques for Maximum Effect

  While part of the Ned Rig’s charm is its simplicity, you can experiment with several presentations depending on the conditions:

  🐢 Dead-Sticking

  Let the bait sit on the bottom with minimal movement. Every so often, twitch your rod tip to bring the bait to life. Great for cold water or post-frontal conditions.

  🐜 Drag and Pause

  Slowly pull the bait along the bottom using your rod, then pause for a few seconds. This mimics natural movements and often triggers strikes during the pause.

  🕺 Hop and Bounce

  Use short, sharp hops to create a more erratic action. Ideal in slightly warmer water where fish are a bit more active.

  🚶‍♂️Swim and Glide

  Cast, let it fall, then retrieve with a steady, slow crank. The bait will swim and glide slightly—good for fishing over submerged vegetation or light rock cover.

  ☀️ Best Conditions to Use the Ned Rig

  While it's effective year-round, certain situations elevate the Ned Rig from good to downright incredible:

  🌬️ Cold Water Conditions

  As water temperatures drop below 60°F, bass metabolism slows. The finesse presentation of the Ned Rig perfectly matches this sluggish behavior.

  🏖️ Clear Water

  Bass in clear water tend to be warier. The small size and natural look of the Ned Rig helps avoid spooking them.

  🎣 Pressured Lakes

  On waters where fish have seen it all—big jigs, loud crankbaits, flashy spinnerbaits—the Ned Rig’s understated approach often outshines the competition.

  🌩️ Post-Front Blues

  When a cold front passes and shuts fish down, a slow presentation with the Ned Rig can still coax them into biting.

  🧠 Pro Tips from the Field

  • Let the Bait Do the Work: Many anglers overwork the Ned Rig. Often, less is more.
  • Watch Your Line: Bites can be subtle—sometimes the only sign is a twitch or sideways movement.
  • Mix Your Plastics: While Z-Man’s ElaZtech is a cult favorite, trying other textures and profiles can pay dividends.
  • Match the Hatch: Choose colors based on your local forage: green pumpkin, goby, or shad patterns are staples.

  🧭 Locations Where It Shines

  Water Type	Key Spots
  Rocky Points	Ned Rig bounces beautifully along uneven terrain
  Docks and Piers	Skipping it under cover can be surprisingly effective
  Weed Edges	Use light heads to avoid getting buried in vegetation
  Deep Structures	Let it fall naturally into ledges, drop-offs, and humps

  🏁 Final Thoughts

  If you’ve overlooked the Ned Rig because it seems too basic, think again. This finesse powerhouse has proven itself under a wide range of conditions and continues to produce when more aggressive tactics fall short. Whether you’re teaching a beginner the ropes or competing at a high level, the Ned Rig deserves a dedicated spot in your arsenal.

  So tie one on, cast it out, and let the magic of simplicity work its way up your line. 🎣