Hot, dry weather will not delay W.Va. trout stocking

Despite hot, dry weather, fall trout stocking in West Virginia will run as scheduled during the weeks of Oct. 21 and 28, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

“We are hoping for more rain, but fall trout stocking is still on,” said division hatchery program Manager Jim Hedrick.

“The staff will do the best they can to pick areas where there is enough water to put out the trout for the benefit of fall anglers.”

Trout will be stocked in 26 streams and 11 lakes and ponds, as indicated in the 2019 Fishing Regulations booklet.

Following the procedure established in the fall of 2018, the trout will be stocked later in the month. Until last year, fall trout stocking traditionally occurred during the week of Columbus Day and the following week.

“There are several reasons for delaying the trout stocking,” said Paul Johansen, chief of the division's wildlife resources section.

“This time of year is typically very dry and water temperatures can be very warm, and that’s certainly been the case this year. Delaying the stocking by even one week increases the chance of rain falling and the water temperatures getting cooler.”

The schedule change also helps hatchery staff ensure trout spawning is completed in a timely fashion and those large brood fish can be put out to anglers.

Call the Fishing Hotline at 304-558-3399 or visit wvdnr.gov each afternoon to find out which streams and lakes have been stocked each day.