Fishing Cheat Lake

AKA: Cheat Lake Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Cheat Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Cheat Lake, WV

Popular Fish Species Cheat Lake, WV

Cheat Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Cheat Lake is notorious for decent largemouth bass fishing. Cheat Lake has a nice population of large bass which can give anglers a thrill on any cast. Effective fisheries management by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has maintained a quality bass fishery for some time now. When the bite is good, bass typically move shallow and are quite aggressive. If you find them shallow and they are not tempted to bite, slow down and use smaller, lighter baits. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Cheat Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers.

Cheat Lake Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

Cheat Lake, again this year, supports a very healthy population of channel catfish. In Spring, channel catfish tend to migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. Night fishing for channel catfish often delivers better results than fishing during the day. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure in the area. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits. Flathead catfish and blue catfish also reside in the lake and fishing for them is often good as well.

Yellow Perch Fishing

Cheat Lake continues to have a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake as well. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line. They make for an excellent fish fry, and are a food source for many of the larger predator fish in the lake.

Cheat Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

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

Cheat Lake, located in northern West Virginia, is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts seeking a variety of fish species and a picturesque outdoor experience. With its expansive size of approximately 1,730 acres, Cheat Lake offers abundant fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.

One of the most sought-after fish species in Cheat Lake is the smallmouth bass. Cheat Lake also offers excellent fishing opportunities for other popular fish species. The lake also has nice populations of northern pike, white bass and sunfish. Much of the 26 miles of shoreline is lined with homes and boat docks, other areas are open.

Public boat ramps and two marinas welcome visitors for boating and fishing at Cheat Lake, a 1,770-acre lake in the northeast part of the state, at Morgantown.

Primary fish species residing in Cheat Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Cheat Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: NEARBY
RV Hookups: NEARBY
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Sunset Beach Marina
Rentals: Kayaks and pontoon boats
304 594-0050

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Sunset Beach Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Sunset Beach Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.