Monster trout contest returns to West Virginia as fall fishing season heats up

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have announced the return of the state’s fourth annual Monster Trout Contest, giving anglers and their families a chance to reel in trophy-sized fish while enjoying peak fall foliage.

During the weeks of Oct. 20 and Oct. 27, the state will stock 40,000 pounds of trout weighing between one and two pounds, along with 6,500 pounds of monster trout weighing three to six pounds.

The stockings will take place at 41 lakes and streams across West Virginia, with each receiving two separate stockings, according to Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia.

McMillion said the event, now in its fourth year, provides an ideal opportunity to bring friends and family together for fishing.

“Fall trout stockings give anglers a chance to try their luck at catching a trophy-size fish when fall color is peaking around the state,” McMillion said. “We encourage anglers to take advantage of this unique opportunity with their families and friends.”

Monster Trout Contest Rules

As part of the contest, 100 monster trout will be tagged with bright pink tags. Anglers who catch one, submit a photo with their fish, and provide proof of the tag number online will be entered into a giveaway drawing.

McMillion said one lucky angler will win a weekend cabin stay at a West Virginia State Park, while four others will receive Bass Pro Shops prize packages. Entries are due by Friday, Nov. 21.

West Virginia state hatchery staff will closely monitor water conditions to ensure fish health. In areas with low water levels, trout will only be released in deeper sections that can support them.

All anglers aged 15 and older must have a valid West Virginia fishing license, trout stamp, and photo ID, available at 160 retail locations or online at WVFish.com. A complete list of monster trout stocking locations is available here.

A State Built for Trout Fishing

West Virginia’s mountain waters are home to rainbow, brown, brook, and golden rainbow trout, offering opportunities for both stocked and wild trout fishing across hundreds of miles of streams and lakes.

• Rainbow Trout are the most commonly stocked species and thrive in both lakes and rivers.
• Brown Trout, introduced from Europe, often develop wild, self-sustaining populations in cooler streams.
• Brook Trout are West Virginia’s only native trout, found in pristine, high-elevation headwaters.
• The Golden Rainbow Trout, a brilliant yellow strain developed in the 1950s, is unique to West Virginia and remains a symbol of the state’s angling heritage.

Where to fish for trout in West Virginia

The Mountain State’s best trout streams are spread across its diverse regions:

Potomac Highlands: North Fork South Branch of the Potomac River, Smoke Hole Canyon, Seneca Creek, and Thorn Creek are famed for their clear water and trophy fish.

Central Mountains: The Cranberry and Williams rivers, the Elk River, and Tea Creek provide both stocked and wild trout amid stunning wilderness.

Southern Mountains: Camp Creek and Paint Creek offer accessible, well-stocked waters ideal for family fishing.

Monongahela Highlands: Shavers Fork, Blackwater River, Red Creek, and Gandy Creek highlight the state’s wild trout potential.

Northern Central: The Middle Fork and Buckhannon rivers provide strong spring fisheries for stocked trout.

Cultural and Economic Value

Trout fishing is more than recreation in West Virginia: it’s a pillar of the state’s outdoor culture and economy. According to the American Sportfishing Association, approximately 485,400 anglers spend $375.3 million annually on fishing-related activities in the state.

Between January and May 2023, the W.Va. DNR stocked 802,481 trout, a 19 percent increase over the same period in 2022. In total, the agency manages trout in over 200 rivers and streams and more than 70 lakes and ponds statewide.

These efforts drive tourism, support local businesses, and encourage conservation of clean, cold mountain waters vital for trout survival and biodiversity. Native brook trout, in particular, depend on healthy forest headwaters, making trout fishing an important link between recreation and environmental stewardship.

A tradition that endures

From the Gold Rush stockings of spring to the Monster Trout Contest of fall, trout fishing remains a defining tradition in the Mountain State, one that connects communities, sustains rural economies, and celebrates West Virginia’s wild beauty year after year.