SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In an effort to increase visitation at state-managed parks and recreation areas, the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources will begin stocking more than 5,000 channel catfish in West Virginia ponds and lakes on May 20, 2014, and anglers who report a tagged catfish will receive a certificate good for a night's stay at one of several state park campgrounds, according to Frank Jezioro, director of the division.
The introduction of catchable-sized channel catfish is in addition to the more than 34,000 fish stocked in March in 28 state parks, wildlife management areas, and several county- and city-owned lakes and ponds throughout the state.
Lakes and ponds to be stocked include those at the following parks and recreation areas. (Items that are not provided a link have not yet been entered into the West Virginia Explorer database.)
- Anawalt Lake WMA
- Barboursville Lake
- Berwind Lake WMA
- Cacapon Resort State Park
- Cedar Creek State Park
- Chief Logan State Park
- Coopers Rock State Forest
- Edwards Run WMA
- French Creek WMA
- Handley WMA
- Laurel Lake WMA
- Little Beaver State Park
- Mason Lake WMA
- Mountwood Lake
- North Bend State Park
- Pipestem Resort State Park
- Tomlinson Run State Park
- Watoga State Park
Anglers who catch a tagged fish are asked to return the tag or the tag number, along with information on the date of capture, and whether the fish was kept or released, and the name and address of the angler, to the W.Va. DNR, 2311 Ohio Ave, Parkersburg, WV 26101. Anglers also can call 304-420-4550 or provide the information via e-mail at dnrfishtags@wv.gov. Additional information about the tagging programs can be found at www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Fish_Tagging.shtm.
