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West Virginia is a top destination for fishing, offering anglers of all ages and skill levels access to pristine rivers, mountain streams, and stocked lakes teeming with trout, bass, catfish, and more. With renowned fishing spots like the New River, Cheat Lake, and Elk River, as well as countless remote creeks hidden in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia promises peaceful days on the water surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Year-round fishing opportunities, well-managed hatcheries, and accessible public fishing areas make it easy for both locals and visitors to reel in a memorable catch. For new residents relocating from big cities thanks to the remote-work revolution, fishing in West Virginia provides a relaxing escape, a chance to bond with family and friends, and a meaningful way to enjoy the state’s rich outdoor heritage and abundant aquatic life. Be sure to visit our Fishing Travel Guide for more information about fishing and fishing areas in West Virginia.

Chefs from 10 West Virginia state parks are preparing dishes including rabbit pot pie, venison chili, shredded duck tacos, burgoo and other foods for National Hunting and Fishing Day at Stonewall Resort State Park.

Fishing

Rabbit pot pie, venison chili, duck tacos on menu at West Virginia outdoor celebration

September 16, 2026 by David Sibray

ROANOKE, W.Va. — Rabbit pot pie, venison chili, shredded duck tacos, and burgoo are among the dishes West Virginia state park cooks will bring to Stonewall Resort State Park near Weston Saturday for a celebration of the state’s hunting, fishing, and food traditions. Kitchens from 10 state parks are participating in A Taste of West Virginia State Parks, … Read more

Tyler Harmon holds the 72.75-pound blue catfish he caught in the Ohio River in Jackson County as a West Virginia Division of Natural Resources official assists with the record certification. The fish set a new state weight record and was released alive. (WVDNR photo)

Fishing

West Virginia brought back a giant native fish that now keeps breaking records

September 4, 2026 by Will Reedy

RAVENSWOOD, W.Va. — When Tyler Harmon decided on the spur of the moment to take his son fishing on the Ohio River, he called his father on the way to the boat ramp and invited him along. Within about 20 minutes of setting up to fish, three generations of the Harmon family were sharing a … Read more

Morgantown angler Robert Glover holds the 9.76-inch pumpkinseed sunfish he caught at Cheat Lake, setting the West Virginia record for a category that has now been broken three times in little more than a month. (Photo courtesy W.Va. DNR)

Fishing

West Virginia fishing record broken for third time in little more than a month

August 21, 2026 by Will Reedy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A West Virginia fishing record that didn’t exist until this summer has now been broken three times in less than a month. Robert Glover, of Morgantown, landed a 9.76-inch, 0.75-pound pumpkinseed sunfish on Aug. 6 at Cheat Lake in Monongalia County, establishing the latest state record for one of West Virginia’s most … Read more

West Virginia anglers Ken Neer (left) and Sierra Adamson each caught state-record pumpkinseed sunfish in summer 2026. Adamson's catch surpassed Neer's record just 19 days after it established the species' first official place in the state's record books.

Fishing

West Virginia’s new state fishing record lasted 19 days before another angler broke it

July 30, 2026 by Will Reedy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It took West Virginia anglers more than a year to establish the state’s first official pumpkinseed sunfish record, and it took less than three weeks to break it. The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources has confirmed that two anglers made fishing history after landing back-to-back state-record pumpkinseed sunfish, one of the state’s … Read more

West Virginia has stocked more than 50 lakes and ponds with channel catfish for the summer, giving visitors and residents fresh opportunities to fish at state parks and public waters across the Mountain State. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)

Fishing

West Virginia stocks more than 50 ponds and lakes with catfish for summer fishing season

July 6, 2026 by Will Reedy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Summer travelers looking for an easy way to experience West Virginia’s outdoors have a new reason to pack a fishing rod. State wildlife officials have stocked channel catfish in more than 50 lakes and ponds across the Mountain State, giving families, beginning anglers, and experienced fishermen fresh opportunities to catch one of … Read more

Fishing

Bowden Fish Hatchery to host free Youth Fishing Derby during W.Va. Free Fishing Days

June 9, 2026 by Will Reedy

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, … Read more

Fishing

Here’s why fishing records are being broken more often now in West Virginia

May 25, 2026 by Will Reedy

PETERSBURG, W.Va. — West Virginia anglers are breaking fishing records with unusual frequency, a trend fisheries experts say reflects years of better fish stocking, improved water quality, and the maturation of trophy-sized fish populations. So far in the spring of 2026, six reports of record catches have been confirmed by biologists with the W.Va. Division … Read more

John Terry, of Gallagher, in Kanawha County, set a new state record for tiger trout on March 19 by catching a 29.13-inch, 11.04-pound tiger trout from Seneca Lake in Pocahontas County.

Fishing

John Terry catches record-breaking tiger trout in lake at Seneca State Forest

May 10, 2026 by David Sibray

MARLINTON, W.Va. — John Terry, of Gallagher, in Kanawha County, set a new state record for tiger trout on March 19 by catching a 29.13-inch, 11.04-pound tiger trout from Seneca Lake in Pocahontas County. The trophy catch surpasses the previous state length record of 28.7 inches recorded by Mike Connelly in 2011 at Krodel Lake … Read more

Hunter Rohr, 15, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, has caught a golden rainbow trout that set state records for length and weight.

Fishing

Buckhannon teen Rohr catches record-breaking golden rainbow trout

May 3, 2026 by David Sibray

SMOKE HOLE, W.Va. — Hunter Rohr, 15, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, has caught a golden rainbow trout that set state records for length and weight, according to biologists with the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. Rohr caught the 28-inch, 11.84-pound trout in the Smoke Hole section of the South Branch of the Potomac River in Pendleton County … Read more

Matt Born of Reedsville, West Virginia, has caught a new state record chain pickerel.

Fishing

Reedsville man catches state record chain pickerel in Preston County pond

May 3, 2026 by David Sibray

REEDSVILLE, W.Va. — Matt Born, of Reedsville, in Preston County, West Virginia, has caught a new state-record chain pickerel at a pond in the county. He landed the 27.95-inch, 5.65-pound fish on April 21 using a homemade spinner on a four-pound test line, according to biologists with the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. Born broke his … Read more

New River Gorge ranks among 20 most-visited national parks in North America

Winter comes early to West Virginia’s highest mountains as forest sites begin closing

Civil War-era stone well hides in plain sight in this West Virginia tourist town

New 100-site campground opens at popular West Virginia mountain destination

Fall has already begun in West Virginia. On Tuesday, it begins again

More than 2,000 gathered to watch one of West Virginia’s greatest trees fall

New WVU Tech scholarship targets talented students across southern West Virginia

These are West Virginia’s 10 highest communities, from cool summers to snowy winters

Before Devil Anse Hatfield, there was a giant

How did West Virginia’s Gauley River get its unusual name?

Before funeral homes, burying the dead in West Virginia was a community undertaking

West Virginia Civil War battlefield known for ghost stories joins paranormal trail

Want your children to spend more time outdoors? Start with yourself, educator says

Rabbit pot pie, venison chili, duck tacos on menu at West Virginia outdoor celebration

West Virginia city eyes 40-mile trail network near New River Gorge

West Virginia eliminates minimum age for youth hunting seasons

Fishing

Rabbit pot pie, venison chili, duck tacos on menu at West Virginia outdoor celebration

West Virginia brought back a giant native fish that now keeps breaking records

West Virginia fishing record broken for third time in little more than a month

West Virginia’s new state fishing record lasted 19 days before another angler broke it

West Virginia stocks more than 50 ponds and lakes with catfish for summer fishing season

Bowden Fish Hatchery to host free Youth Fishing Derby during W.Va. Free Fishing Days

Here’s why fishing records are being broken more often now in West Virginia

John Terry catches record-breaking tiger trout in lake at Seneca State Forest

Buckhannon teen Rohr catches record-breaking golden rainbow trout

Reedsville man catches state record chain pickerel in Preston County pond