The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will stock 26 streams and 11 lakes in the Mountain State with trout during the weeks of Oct. 15 and 22.
Autumn trout stocking traditionally occurs during the week of Columbus Day and the following week, but this year’s stocking will begin a week later to help ensure a good spawn.
“There are several reasons for delaying the trout stocking by one week,” said Paul Johansen, chief of the division’s Wildlife Resources Section.
“Even though we’ve had a lot of rainfall this year, this time of year is typically very dry and water temperatures can be very warm. Delaying the stocking by even one week increases the chance of rain falling and the water temperatures getting cooler.”
The schedule change also helps hatchery staff ensure trout spawning is completed in a timely fashion and those large brood fish can be put out to anglers.
Call the Fishing Hotline at 304-558-3399 or visit www.wvdnr.gov each afternoon to find out which streams and lakes have been stocked each day.