Fishing in West Virginia

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Anglers on Shavers Fork of the Cheat

Fishing is one of the most popular outdoor sports pursued in West Virginia. Young West Virginians learn early the art of the cast, and by their teens they are adept at hunting trout in clear mountain streams and coaxing bass from its lakes and rivers. But there are many miles of stream and plenty of fishing holes to be angled.

Bait and tackle shops exist in almost every county in West Virginia, and fishing camps, for , may be found on almost every stream.

Fishing in the Mountain State is notably accommodated by its wealth of well-watered fisheries. Its streams do not grow sluggish in late summer. Though small streams may dry to a trickle, hundreds of larger fishing streams remain productive year-round.


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Fishing is one of the most popular forms of recreation accommodated in West Virginia, and it's hard to keep up with the constant change and expansion. If you’ve noted inaccuracies in our content or would like to contribute as a correspondent, please contact a member of our editorial staff.

West Virginia Fishing News

Michael John Drake and record blue catfish

Record West Virginia blue catfish broken fourth year in a row

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Fishing by Greysen Johnson

West Virginia to stock upper Elk River in pilot winter trout program

WEBSTER SPRINGS, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources will stock trout on the upper Elk River and its back fork in November...
Trophy trout in West Virginia

West Virginia stocks 43 waters during first week of fall trout stocking

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources stocked 43 during the first week of fall trout stocking, and two anglers have...
Gar caught in West Virginia

West Virginia angler catches state record longnose gar

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — According to state officials, an 11-year record for the longest longnose gar caught in West Virginia has been broken. The record-breaking fish,...
Golden trout stocking in West Virginia

W.Va. reports 19% increase in number of stocked trout in 2023

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Thanks to its investment in hatcheries, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources stocked nearly 130,000 more trout in 2023 than...