Fishing Report For Cheat Lake, WV

By Rick Seaman

June 5, 2025

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Fishing Report Cheat Lake, WV

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species Cheat Lake, WV

Largemouth Bass

Current Report: Good
Outlook:Good To Very Good

The typical bass being caught here is above average, compared to other lakes in the area. Recent bass tournaments have taken a 3-pound average, or more to take top prize. Water temperature is in the mid 60's and the spawn in happening in various stages around the lake. Bass are primarily being caught shallow, but some of the quality fish are being taken in staging areas, outside the spawning bays. Various lures are catching nice largemouth bass here, but many local anglers are throwing lipless crankbaits, vibrating jigs and spinnerbaits with good success. Mid-range crankbaits and jerkbaits are catching staging fish in 7 to 10 feet of water. Bass are easy to pattern this time of year as the majority of them are all doing the same thing.

Walleye

Current Report: Fair To Good
Outlook: Fair To Good

While not one of the top walleye lakes in the state, Cheat Lake still has a decent population of these tasty fish. The good news is most anglers here focus on bass, leaving walleye with less fishing pressure. Currently the walleye are up shallow, especially in rocky areas, early in the day and again at dusk. With the spawn complete, they have moved to flats, shoals and ledges off shore. They primarily feed on gizzard shad and other small fish, close to the bottom. Bright colored jigs, tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers are catching them when they move off the bank into 15 to 25 feet of water. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and crankbaits are working if they are up shallow. Blade baits, jigs, swimbaits, spoons, deep-diving crankbaits, and worm harness spinners are all working while trolling deeper.

Yellow Perch

Current Report: Good To Very Good
Outlook: Very Good

Small schools of fat yellow perch roam the shallows here this time of year to feed on small fish and invertebrates. Anglers fishing for them with minnows and nightcrawlers on jigs, are having success. These baits will continue to work as Summer warms the water, except they will move deeper, to 20 feet deep or deeper. A healthy, population of yellow perch resides here, providing a steady food source for larger, predator fish, and great fishing for anglers. Locals enjoy these perch for fish frys.

Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, bluegill, white bass, yellow perch and northern pike at Cheat Lake in West Virginia.

Cheat Lake is 1,730 acre lake with 26 miles of shoreline. This lake offers abundant fishing for smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, white bass, catfish and sunfish. There is very limited access for fishing from the bank.

Primary fish species to catch

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

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Fishing License

Click here for a West Virginia Fishing License.

Map - Fishing & Access

Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".