Fishing is good throughout the lake. Largemouth bass are being caught off the shoreline in 15 feet of water using tube jigs. Channel catfish are doing well and 2 to 3 pounders are abundant throughout the lake, particularly in the area from Mt. Chateau upstream. Boaters have been successful using chicken livers at depths of 20-feet. The embayments at the Cheat Lake Park and Trail are good areas for bank fisherman to catch sunfish and largemouth bass. The rock riprap on the lake side of the recreation area also holds lots of fish. Fish for yellow perch in 10-15 feet along any shoreline using a piece of night crawler and several split shot. Large sunfish are abundant along the shoreline across from the Sunset Beach cove up to the I-68 bridge.

Try the tailwater fishing pier for all species. Jigs with minnows or 3-inch power grubs are the best baits. White or chartreuse are good colors. Start fishing at dark when saugers and walleyes begin feeding. The pier is located entirely in West Virginia about 25 minutes from Morgantown. Take U.S. Rt. 119 from Morgantown to Point Marion, PA, turn right after crossing the Cheat River and proceed 4 miles to Cheat Dam. The parking lot is in Pennsylvania but the entire pier is in West Virginia. The pier is lighted for night fishing and is handicapped accessible. Keep track of the lake elevation and predicted daily changes in elevation on the Cheat Lake website at www.cheatlaketoday.com .