Fishing

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has announced that to encourage solitary outdoor activity during the coronavirus outbreak, state residents can enjoy a month of free fishing. Through Friday, April 24, the requirement to possess a fishing license to fish in state-regulated waters has been waived for state residents, though anglers must practice safe social distancing. … Read more

A West Virginia angler recently caught a state record grass carp in Hardy County—the second record grass carp caught in the last two months. John Miller of Lost City, West Virginia, caught a 54.75-inch, 67.4-pound grass carp on February 18 at Warden Lake, breaking the previous record for length of 53.1 inches recorded by Zach … Read more

Electrofishing is proving to be an effective way to collect data about walleye, a popular sport fish, the population of which the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has been managing in the New River for nearly 20 years. Mark Scott, assistant chief of fish management for the division, says electrofishing is a common method … Read more

Fisheries biologists with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources are using old Christmas trees to improve habitat at popular fishing locations around the Mountain State. Aaron Yeager, an assistant fisheries biologist, said the program is very beneficial. “Most of our reservoirs are lacking in complex woody cover, so any type of structure we can … Read more

Thanks to West Virginia’s year-round trout stocking program, fishing opportunities abound across the state, and officials are looking toward a new employment program to help stock in spring. Fisheries biologists have been stocking trout in lakes and streams around the state since the beginning of the year, according to Jim Hedrick, hatchery program manager for … Read more

Two West Virginia record fish have been caught so far this January. Length records for grass carp and blue catfish were broken by two West Virginia anglers, the state Division of Natural Resources announced on Thursday. Zachary Adkins, of Cabins, caught a 53.1-inch, 59-pound grass carp at Warden Lake in Hardy County on January 3. … Read more

A West Virginia man caught a 27.87-inch, four-pound chain pickerel on Oct. 13 at Upper Deckers Lake near Reedsville, West Virginia, in Preston County—a state record, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Angler Matt Born, of Reedsville, used an in-line spinner to catch the trophy fish, which is a state record in … Read more

Despite hot, dry weather, fall trout stocking in West Virginia will run as scheduled during the weeks of Oct. 21 and 28, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “We are hoping for more rain, but fall trout stocking is still on,” said division hatchery program Manager Jim Hedrick. “The staff will do … Read more

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will hold six public meetings with anglers and the general public in late September and October to discuss its draft trout management plan. “We are looking for comments on our plan, which is designed to help develop future management and stocking protocols,” division director Stephen S. McDaniel said … Read more

Just in time for free fishing weekend June 8 and 9, the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources—in cooperation with the West Virginia Professional River Outfitters Association—stocked 650 pounds of rainbow trout in the Summersville Dam tailwater of the Gauley River June 6. “The goal of the stocking is to provide increased summer trout fishing opportunities … Read more