Swift Creek Reservoir Crappies.

Anybody know if Swift Creek Reservoir (located West of Richmond between Brandermill and Woodlake) has any decent crappie fishing? It seems like this is an underfished resource, probably due to limited access. I've caught more bass and catfish there than crappies, and only 1 or 2 crappies over 12inches or so. Also ran into some yellow perch in around 5 FOW one time. But cannot duplicate any decent crappie catches there. Was there a couple days ago and my fishfinder was lit up over a very large area (at least an acre) with what I believe to be shad. Also hundreds of seagulls sitting on the water, intermittantly diving/feeding (I know what this means fishing for Bluefish, Spanish, etc). Talked to another guy who said he thinks the largemouth push the bait up to surface like that...hmmm...would take quite a few largemouths to do that. I ran out of time before I could give it a good effort.
Thinking I should try some deep jigging next trip to see if some decent crappies are to be found. Any other ideas? Anybody interested in joining me please send a PM. Thanks.

We don't hear much about it and I've never been there but hopefully someone can chime in with some info.

I lived in Woodlake 30 years ago and fished that lake often. Back then, and I still think holds true today the Crappie seemed stunted in size. Decent quantities but lots of fish < 9 inches.

Correct me if I`m wrong but I was under the impression this is practically a private reservoir for Woodlake/Brandermill homeowners? No boat landing unless you belong to the association.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mrmerck

I lived in Woodlake 30 years ago and fished that lake often. Back then, and I still think holds true today the Crappie seemed stunted in size. Decent quantities but lots of fish < 9 inches.

Correct me if I`m wrong but I was under the impression this is practically a private reservoir for Woodlake/Brandermill homeowners? No boat landing unless you belong to the association.

---

Thanks Bill and Mrmerck for the input.

Yes this is a private lake and electric motors but I have a friend who lives there (unfortunately he doesn't fish). I would image that if the crappies were stunted there many years ago then the crappies are still stunted there, given the light angler pressure. Trouble is I can't even catch the stunted ones consistently...
Friend lives at the NW back end where depth is mostly 4-6 feet. Southeast of there the water is deeper, but that is quite a long paddle in my kayak launching from my friend's house. I suspect that is the "home range" of most of the crappies...

I`d love to find a way to launch my boat in there as I now live in Blackstone which is fairly close.

A business associate has lake access and he primarily bass fishes but he tells me his best luck is in the lower end of the reservoir closer to Woodlake.

Hello all,

I am a Brandermill resident that converted from saltwater several years ago so I still have a lot to learn. I have small kids so a lot of my fishing is done after the sun has gone down.

Nonetheless, I wouldn't describe the crappie population in the reservoir as stunted and feel that it is pretty healthy...but I'm not an expert. I have had fairly good success over the last year plus and most recently have landed my biggest two fish out of there. The scale wasn't cooperating on the fish I suspected to be the heaviest, but the one I was able to weigh went 16" and 2.81 lbs.

I hope this helps.

Neil

That is really good to hear. Like I said, my last time on that body of water was 30 years ago.Good to know the lake is producing some quality fish.

Nothing stunted about a 16 incher. WTG

Its not private, just most of the land around it is...like anna hotside. South end of woolridge road has a couple access points people use with kayaks or a jon boat loaded in the back of truck. parking is limited to 3-5 vehicles i think.

good info..thanks

Good info and awesome fish. My grandpa use to take me there and park and bank fish. Thanks papa!0

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tng458

Hello all,

I am a Brandermill resident that converted from saltwater several years ago so I still have a lot to learn. I have small kids so a lot of my fishing is done after the sun has gone down.

Nonetheless, I wouldn't describe the crappie population in the reservoir as stunted and feel that it is pretty healthy...but I'm not an expert. I have had fairly good success over the last year plus and most recently have landed my biggest two fish out of there. The scale wasn't cooperating on the fish I suspected to be the heaviest, but the one I was able to weigh went 16" and 2.81 lbs.

I hope this helps.

Neil

---

Whoa! 16 inches is real nice fish! Thanks for the info. I need to keep trying!!