The 17,280-acre R.D. Bailey Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) ranges across narrow valleys and steep ridges forested in oak and hickory. Game traditionally hunted in the management area include bear, deer (archery only), grouse, fox, squirrel, raccoon, turkey, beaver, bobcat, muskrat, and coyote. R.D. Bailey Lake, at 630 acres, an impoundment of the Guyandotte River, has been outfitted with a boat launch and accommodates fishing for carp, trout, bass, walleye, sunfish, crappie, catfish, and tiger musky.
Trout are stocked in the lake tailwaters from February until May and during Columbus Day week. More than 160 tent campsites in the management area are available from May until November.
Directions: The R.D. Bailey Lake Wildlife Management Area is located in western Wyoming County and southern Mingo County between Pineville, WV, and Gilbert, WV. The management area is a drive of six miles southeast of Gilbert and 15 miles west of Pineville on highway WV-97
R.D. Bailey Lake WMA is managed by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. It was formerly known as the R.D. Bailey Lake Public Hunting & Fishing Area. The Horse Creek Lake Wildlife Management Area and Elk Creek Wildlife Management Area are located southeast and northwest of the lake area, respectively.
Hotels near R.D. Bailey Lake WMA
Glibert (WV) Hotels
Pineville (WV) Hotels
Regional Information
Further information on lodging, dining, and recreation near R.D. Bailey Lake Management Area may be found in our guide to travel in the Hatfield & McCoy Region of southern West Virginia, in which the management area is located.
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