The Rippin’ Lips Open Bass Series kicked off Saturday at Beaverdam Park with 42 boats taking on the cold and windy day.

The tournament saw four bass weighing more than four pounds, three over five pounds and the big fish of the day weighed in at 7.1 pounds. Daniel Michaud and Bubba West won the opener with 22.93 pounds of bass, including one at 5.78 pounds.

Black crappie are making more of an appearance close to the Ranger Station, according to park ranger Elizabeth Keefer. A length citation 16.5-inch crappie was caught from a boat near the Ranger Station using minnows for bait.

On Monday, Gene Hunsecker reeled in a two-pound, seven-ounce crappie hooked from shore using minnows and another angler pulled in four bass from his boat, including a six-pound, 10-ounce fish.

The park is now open daily from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Minnows and night crawlers can be purchased and boats, kayaks and canoes can be rented. For more information call the Ranger Station at 804-693-2107.
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