Some of the best West Virginia muskie streams are fishable only with a johnboat or by wading. During summer, fishermen concentrate on deep pools and cast crankbaits and jerkbaits around sunken trees and boulders. Shallow wood cover in the form of deadfalls and logjams will hold river muskies any time of year, which is a good reason to bump a spinnerbait along them or root a Hellbender through them. Southern rivers are prone to flooding in spring, and muskies tend to move upstream as the water rises. When inflowing tributaries begin to clear and mud lines have formed at their mouths, muskies will lurk in the discolored water.
Anglers fish such areas with sucker-colored jerkbaits.
The forage base just isn't there. Still, Southern anglers are grateful for the fish they have.