West Virginia trout stocking Jan. 5: biologists stock 46 waters statewide

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources in Charleston announced that hatchery crews stocked trout in 46 lakes and streams across West Virginia during the week of Jan. 5, continuing the agency’s winter trout-stocking program.

West Virginia trout stocking is a cornerstone of the state’s year-round fishing program, supporting both resident anglers and visitors who travel to the Mountain State for cold-season outdoor recreation. The division conducts regular stocking runs across all regions and releases weekly updates to support its fisheries management efforts.

West Virginia trout stocking locations for the week of Jan. 5

According to the division, the following waters were stocked with trout during the week:

• Anthony Creek; Barboursville Lake; Big Run Lake; Blackwater River; Cacapon Park Lakes; Cedar Creek Lakes; Chief Logan Pond; Conaway Run Lake; Curtisville Lake; Deegan Lake; Elk River (Randolph and Webster counties);
• Fitzpatrick Lake; Gandy Lake; Glady Fork; Hinkle Lake; Howards Creek; Hurricane Reservoir; Huey Lake; James P. Bailey Lake; Knapps Creek; Krodel Lake; Larimer Park Lake; Laurel Fork Lake; Laurel Fork (Randolph County); Lick Creek Pond; Little Beaver Lake;
• Mannington Lake; Middle Wheeling Creek (Delayed Harvest); North Fork Fishing Creek; North Fork South Branch; Opequon Creek; Pendleton Lake; Ridenour Lake; Rollins Lake; Shavers Fork (Bemis); Shavers Fork (Lower Section); Shavers Fork (Upper Section);
• South Branch (Catch and Release); South Branch (Franklin); South Branch (Petersburg); South Branch (Smoke Hole); South Fork Fishing Creek; Spruce Knob Lake; Thomas Park Lake; Turkey Run Lake; and Wayne Dam.

The wide geographic spread of stocked waters reflects the scope of West Virginia trout stocking, which reaches state parks, community lakes, delayed-harvest streams, and iconic mountain rivers.

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West Virginia trout stocking – quick facts

• Agency: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
• Frequency: Weekly, weather permitting
• Coverage: Statewide rivers, streams, and lakes
• Season: Year-round
• License required: Yes; trout stamp required

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Stocking schedules and regulations

Daily trout-stocking schedules are not announced in advance. However, the division publishes a regularly updated list of recently stocked waters on its website, allowing anglers to track where West Virginia trout have been stocked most recently.

In the event of inclement weather, hatchery staff will make up missed stockings before the end of the month, weather permitting, by making additional stocking runs or adding extra fish to upcoming stockings.

Anglers are encouraged to review pages 6–7 of the annual Fishing Regulations Summary for detailed information on trout waters, delayed-harvest sections, and special regulations. The summary is available for download from the division.

Fishing licenses and trout stamps required

The division also reminded anglers that anyone age 15 or older must carry a valid West Virginia fishing license and a form of identification while fishing in the state. A trout stamp is required for those fishing for trout on stocked waters.

Licenses and trout stamps may be purchased online through the state’s official licensing system, making it easy for anglers to stay compliant while enjoying West Virginia trout stocking opportunities throughout the winter.

With regular stockings continuing despite cold temperatures, West Virginia trout stocking remains a key driver of winter fishing activity, supporting outdoor recreation and local economies across the state.

History of trout stocking in West Virginia

Trout stocking has been part of West Virginia’s fisheries management for more than a century, evolving alongside the state’s conservation movement and outdoor recreation economy.

Early stocking efforts began in the early 1900s as native brook trout populations declined due to logging, mining, and unregulated harvest, prompting state officials to supplement streams with hatchery-raised fish.

Over time, the program expanded in scale and sophistication, with the creation of modern hatcheries and science-based management practices overseen by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Today, trout stocking is a year-round program in West Virginia that supports both coldwater restoration goals and recreational fishing, balancing native trout conservation with catch-and-release fisheries that draw anglers to rivers, streams, and lakes across the Mountain State.