BOWDEN, W.Va. — Young anglers will have the chance to reel in trout and compete for prizes when the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources hosts its annual Bowden Fishing Derby on June 13 at the Bowden Fish Hatchery in Randolph County near Elkins.
The free event, part of West Virginia’s annual Free Fishing Days celebration, is designed for children ages 3 to 14. Organizers say the derby offers a family-friendly introduction to fishing and highlights one of the state’s most important trout-production facilities.
Brett McMillion, director of the division, underscored the excitement of helping youth catch their first fish.
“Watching a child reel in their first fish is an unforgettable experience, and the Bowden Fishing Derby provides a dedicated space just for them to make those memories,” McMillion said.
The derby will run from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the hatchery, located along the Shavers Fork near the community of Bowden. Children must be registered by an adult to participate and be eligible for prizes.
On-site registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with fishing sessions divided by age and grade level:
Preschool and Kindergarten: 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
First and Second Grade: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Third through Fifth Grade: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Sixth through Eighth Grade: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“While the adults will have to stick to cheering the kids on at the derby, the whole family can hit the water later and enjoy any public lake or stream to do some casting of their own without needing a license,” McMillion said.
Free Fishing Days Return June 13-14
The youth derby coincides with West Virginia’s Free Fishing Days, scheduled for June 13-14. During the two-day event, residents and visitors may fish in public lakes, streams and rivers throughout the state without purchasing a fishing license.
The annual program is part of a nationwide effort to introduce more people to recreational fishing and encourage participation in outdoor activities. Although licenses are not required during the event, all fishing regulations, including creel limits and size restrictions, remain in effect.
State officials encourage anyone who discovers a passion for fishing during the weekend to purchase a license and continue enjoying West Virginia’s abundant fishing opportunities throughout the year.
A hatchery with deep roots in W.Va. trout fishing
The fishing derby also shines a spotlight on a facility that has been central to West Virginia’s trout program for generations.
The Bowden Fish Hatchery, long known as the Bowden National Fish Hatchery, was established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1958 and completed in the early 1960s. Built along the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River, the facility was strategically located near cold-water springs that could supply the constant flow of clean, cool water needed for trout production.
Water from North Spring, South Spring, and the Shavers Fork has helped sustain trout-rearing operations for more than six decades.
The hatchery quickly became one of the state’s leading trout-production facilities. During its years under federal management, Bowden supplied fish for streams on federal lands, particularly within the Monongahela National Forest. By the 1990s, the hatchery was producing approximately one-quarter of all trout stocked in West Virginia waters.
The fight to save Bowden hatchery
One of the most dramatic chapters in the hatchery’s history came in 1995 when federal budget reductions placed the facility on a list of proposed closures.
The announcement sparked widespread concern among anglers, conservation groups, educators and local officials who feared the loss of a hatchery that had become vital to West Virginia’s recreational fishing industry.
Thousands of residents signed petitions and contacted federal officials in an effort to preserve the facility.
Rather than shutting down operations, state and federal agencies negotiated a transfer agreement. In October 1996, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to transfer ownership to West Virginia while providing assistance during the transition period.
On July 1, 1997, the hatchery officially became part of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
The agreement ensured continued trout production for some of the state’s most popular fishing destinations and preserved an important economic driver for mountain communities that benefit from angling tourism.
Modern upgrades increase trout production
More recently, Bowden underwent one of the most significant modernization efforts in its history.
Beginning in 2020, a $10 million renovation project upgraded aging infrastructure that dated to the facility’s original construction. Improvements included new raceways, advanced filtration systems, water sterilization technology, oxygen-injection equipment, and water-recycling capabilities.
The renovated hatchery reopened in 2022.
According to state officials, the improvements increased production capacity by approximately 50 percent and positioned Bowden among the most advanced fish hatcheries in West Virginia. Annual production is expected to exceed 300,000 trout.
Today, the facility raises brook and brown trout while also supporting the state’s stocking of rainbow and golden rainbow trout in streams, rivers, and lakes across north-central and eastern West Virginia.
Supporting trout streams across the Mountain State
Fish raised at Bowden are stocked into some of West Virginia’s best-known trout waters, including Shavers Fork, Glady Fork, Gandy Creek and numerous other streams and lakes.
The hatchery also serves as an educational destination for students and visitors interested in fisheries management and aquatic conservation.
For many families, however, Bowden is perhaps best known for events such as the annual youth fishing derby, where children can experience the excitement of catching trout while learning about the state’s outdoor heritage.
Those interested in participating in the June 13 derby or downloading a registration form can visit the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ Free Fishing Days information page. Anglers ages 15 and older who wish to continue fishing after the free weekend can purchase licenses through the state’s online licensing system.
About the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources
The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) manages the state’s fish and wildlife resources and operates a network of hatcheries that support recreational fishing across the Mountain State. Among its most important facilities is the Bowden Fish Hatchery in Randolph County, which was originally built by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the early 1960s and transferred to state ownership in 1997.
Fed by cold mountain springs and the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River, Bowden raises brook, brown, rainbow, and golden trout that are stocked in streams, rivers, and lakes throughout West Virginia. Following a major modernization project completed in 2022, the hatchery became one of the state’s most advanced fish-production facilities, increasing trout output by roughly 50 percent and helping sustain West Virginia’s nationally recognized trout fishery and outdoor recreation economy.
Directions to the Bowden Fish Hatchery
From downtown Elkins, travel east on U.S. Route 33 for approximately 7 miles toward Bowden. Upon entering the Bowden area, turn left onto Eagles Nest Road and continue for about one-tenth of a mile. Turn right onto Yogi Drive and follow the road for approximately one mile to reach the Bowden Fish Hatchery. The scenic drive follows the Shavers Fork corridor through the mountains of Randolph County and takes about 15 minutes from Elkins.