Wednesday, October 8, 2025
59.5 F
Beckley
More

    New hand-fishing season opens June 15 in W.Va.

    Catfish may now be taken by hand in W.Va. Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce.

    A new West Virginia "noodling" or hand-fishing season launches June 15, according to the state Division of Natural Resources.

    Advertisement

    A law passed during the 2018 legislative session will allow anglers to hand-fish, or “noodle,” in public waters from June 15 to Aug. 31 between sunrise and sunset.

    Noodlers may only hand-fish in naturally-occurring habitats, such as hollow logs and cavities in river banks, and the placement or use of artificial cavities and nesting boxes for hand-fishing is prohibited, according to the division.

    Noodling is also prohibited in all state-managed impoundments except Cheat Lake, Stonecoal Lake, Hawks Nest Lake, Mount Storm Lake, and in all lakes managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement

    Daily creel limits for catfish species taken by hand-fishing is four, and only one fish may be more than 35 inches and only two may be blue catfish.

    In waters with special regulations, the more restrictive regulations apply. The daily creel limit for hand-fishing counts is part of any daily limit for hook-and-line fishing.

    The use or possession of hooks, gaffs, spears, or anything other than hands while hand-fishing is prohibited, as is the use of bait or fish attractors. The use of SCUBA gear or any other artificial breathing apparatus is also prohibited.


    Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email weekly. Sign me up!
    Will Reedy
    Will Reedyhttp://wvexplorer.com
    A consummate outdoorsman, Will Reedy has been hunting and fishing West Virginia since he was first able to wield rod and gun. He has been an outdoors writer for West Virginia Explorer since 2001.

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Hot this week

    Swing into autumn with West Virginia’s three new Almost Heaven swings

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Department of...

    Mysterious Wetzel County worm invasion wreaked havoc in West Virginia in 1918

    LITTLETON, W.Va. — In the summer of 1918, a...

    Exclusive dinner series at Pipestem Resort State Park showcases new menu

    PIPESTEM, W.Va. — Tickets are now available for a...

    Risk of West Virginia wildfires increases in 2025 amid dry autumn conditions

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The crackle of autumn leaves underfoot...

    Polemic Run, West Virginia: A roadside journey hidden off the expressway

    BIRCH RIVER, W.Va. — Each day, more than 10,000...

    Topics

    Swing into autumn with West Virginia’s three new Almost Heaven swings

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Department of...

    Risk of West Virginia wildfires increases in 2025 amid dry autumn conditions

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The crackle of autumn leaves underfoot...

    Investigator: West Virginia ground-zero for UFO research, ET encounters

    GREEN BANK, W.Va. — A renowned paranormal investigator says...

    Duck, goose, waterfowl hunting season in West Virginia open October 4

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Several migratory bird hunting seasons will...

    Autumn colors continue to unfold across 'Almost Heaven,' West Virginia

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Autumn is sweeping across 'Almost Heaven,'...

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories