Gatewod Reservoir in Pulaski?

**rthensley** · 03-06-2014, 04:01 PM

Does anyone fish the Gatewood Reservoir in Pulaski?

I have never fished for, or caught, a crappie. Fished most of my 45 years, but 99% of my fishing has been in the North Fork of the Holston River for smallmouth.

Just bought a solo canoe and want to catch some crappie. I understand that Gatewood might give me the best opportunity (although it is 2 hours from me).

The campground at Gatewood opens April, 5th. I'm thinking of going up and staying two nights and trying my luck at crappie.

Is this too early? Too late? Decent time?

Any other options in far SW Virginia (I am in Gate City)?

Thanks,
Trevor

**Corker** · 03-06-2014, 05:53 PM

Man, that's a long haul. Have you looked into the TN lakes? The boys over on the TN board could probably recommend something closer than Pulaski.

**VaCrappieMan** · 03-07-2014, 01:09 AM

I would hit rural retreat before I would gatewood coming from gate city... Or even hidden valley... Good luck I'm I'm sw va too

**VaCrappieMan** · 03-07-2014, 01:09 AM

From*

**rthensley** · 03-07-2014, 08:43 AM

Thanks for the info.

I'll do some research on the TN options. Was just going to try and stay in VA, but the TN lakes would be much closer.

VaCrappie...............I posted on a kayak fishing board about crappie options in SW Virginia. The people on that board thought that Gatwood was far and away the best option. I'm OK with Rural Retreat or Hidden Valley if they are good options. I'll be in a canoe with no fish finder (for structure & depth). I'm expecting that even finding crappie will be hard.

With my schedule, I probably only have two weekends a month that I can go fishing. Guess I was looking for options where I could go throw up a tent on Friday and fish the whole weekend.

**Don G** · 03-07-2014, 08:45 AM

I live about 15 miles from Gatewood. I use to fish it a lot in the 70's. It use to be a great Bream lake but that has really fallen off from what I hear. My fishing partner tried crappie fishing there about 2 years ago. Not worth the effort.

There are some better lakes closer. Look at the TN Board about Douglas.

**VaCrappieMan** · 03-07-2014, 09:22 AM

I personally fish south Holston but if I were in a kayak I would go to rural retreat a lot of crappie there most are smaller but you can put together a decent stringer even from the banks at times that's why I said rural retreat... They have been trapping crappie from rural for several years and it seems to be increasing the overall size... Hidden valley I have fished a few times and every crappie I've caught there has been over 10" but I never found a lot of fish... Douglas or south Holston are Great Lakes to fish I'm just not sure about taking a kayak out on them

**VaCrappieMan** · 03-07-2014, 09:23 AM

Misread kayak... Probably still wouldn't want to be on one of the big lakes with a canoe

**VaCrappieMan** · 03-07-2014, 09:25 AM

Bark camp lake also has some crappie on it... Might want to check that out too... I'm in Bristol by the way... Happy fishing

**Corker** · 03-07-2014, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by rthensley

I'll be in a canoe with no fish finder (for structure & depth). I'm expecting that even finding crappie will be hard.

Even a knotted string with a rock tied on the end would be an improvement. We have several VA members who frequently fish out of a canoe or kayak. Woodduck, for example, has already reported several successful yak trips this year. Why don't you PM him & I'm sure he can offer suggestions about setting up a paddle-powered rig that's effective.

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