Thursday, October 30, 2025
44.9 F
Beckley
More

    W.Va. announces return of trout stockings, new fishing regulations

    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va.—West Virginia has announced the publication of updated 2023-2024 fishing regulations and the return of trout stockings to lakes and streams around the state.

    Brett McMillion, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, emphasized that stocking trout helps support state initiatives to protect and build on outdoor recreation.

    “Trout stocking in West Virginia is just one of the ways we contribute to the preservation and enhancement of our natural resources while also providing a fun and exciting outdoor activity for folks of all ages to enjoy,” McMillion said.

    “Our state’s beautiful lakes, streams, and rivers are a true treasure, and we hope first-time and experienced anglers alike can get out and cast a line this year.”

    Trout stockings officially returned on Jan. 3 with stockings to the Greenbrier River near Marlinton, James P. Bailey Lake, Larenim Park Lake, and the Williams River.

    While daily trout stockings are not announced in advance, the state publishes a list of recently stocked waters at . Anglers may also find out what waters have been stocked by calling the stocking hotline at 304-558-3399.

    Advertisement

    In inclement weather, missed stockings are made up by either additional stocking runs or additional fish added to upcoming stocking events.

    For a complete list of stocking locations and frequency of stockings, anglers should consult pages 14 and 15 of the 2023 West Virginia Fishing Regulations Summary, available to download at .


    West Virginia publishes 2023 Fishing Regulations

    West Virginia’s updated fishing regulations for 2023 went into effect on Jan. 1 and included changes to regulations regarding delayed harvest and catch-and-release waters.

    The upper Guyandotte and all tributaries in Wyoming County, Barkers Creek and tributaries in Wyoming County, and Elkhorn Creek and tributaries in McDowell County were all placed under catch-and-release regulations.

    The delayed harvest regulation was modified to be catch-and-release from Nov. 1 to May 15 and general regulations from May 16 to Oct. 31. Delayed harvest sections were established on Paint Creek in Fayette County, Williams River in Pocahontas County, and Shaver's Fork in Randolph County. To learn more about these changes, see page 1 of the Fishing Regulations Summary.

    All anglers 15 years and older must have a West Virginia fishing license, a trout stamp, and a valid form of identification while fishing for trout. Licenses and stamps can be purchased at 175 retail locations or .

    To learn more about fishing opportunities and trout stockings in West Virginia, visit .


    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

    Hatfield–McCoy trails system now connected to Virginia’s Spearhead trails

    BRAMWELL, W.Va. — Off-road enthusiasts have even more ground...

    Don’t ignore the winter blues: Seasonal affective disorder is a serious form of depression

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As the days grow shorter and...

    West Virginia historic preservation grants open for 2026 applications

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is now accepting applications...

    Blackwater Falls State Park begins online ticket sales for sled run

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia State Parks officials today...

    At 50 years, West Virginia University celebrates its ground-breaking PRT system

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The familiar hum of the gold...

    Topics

    Hatfield–McCoy trails system now connected to Virginia’s Spearhead trails

    BRAMWELL, W.Va. — Off-road enthusiasts have even more ground...

    West Virginia historic preservation grants open for 2026 applications

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is now accepting applications...

    Blackwater Falls State Park begins online ticket sales for sled run

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia State Parks officials today...

    The Pumpkin—a West Virginia tradition steeped in lore

    FLAT TOP, W.Va. — With the exception of corn,...

    Here are 20 things that make wild, wonderful West Virginia famous

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — From the peaks of the Allegheny...

    West Virginia University insect tracker says light pollution threatens rare fireflies

    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — While rare “synchronous fireflies” are becoming...

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories