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 the state’s most popular warm-weather fish.
The recent stockings, completed during the weeks of June 22 and June 29, reach nearly every corner of West Virginia. Many of the waters are located in state parks, community parks, and public recreation areas where visitors can combine a day of fishing with hiking, camping, swimming, or sightseeing.
Read More: Here’s why fishing records are being broken more often now in West Virginia
Unlike trout fishing, which often centers on mountain streams, channel catfish can frequently be caught from shore with simple tackle and common baits, making them an appealing choice for families introducing children to fishing. The species is known for remaining active during the warmest months of the year, when many anglers shift their attention from spring trout fishing to lakes and ponds.
State parks offer convenient fishing destinations
Several of the newly stocked waters are located within or near some of West Virginia’s best-known recreation destinations. Visitors exploring Babcock State Park can cast a line at Babcock Lake, while those vacationing at Pipestem Resort State Park, Watoga State Park, North Bend State Park, Tomlinson Run State Park, Cacapon Resort State Park, and Cedar Creek State Park will also find freshly stocked fishing opportunities nearby.
Other stocked waters are found in county parks, municipal lakes, and wildlife management areas, allowing anglers to enjoy fishing whether they’re spending a week exploring the state or simply making a weekend trip.
Where were catfish stocked?
Among the waters stocked during the two-week period were Airport Pond, Anawalt Lake, Anderson Lake, Babcock Lake, Barboursville Lake, Berwind Lake, Big Ditch Lake, Brandywine Lake, Brushy Fork Lake, Cacapon State Park Lake, Camp Caesar Lake, Cedar Creek State Park Lake, Chief Logan Lake, Conaway Run Lake, Coonskin Pond, Coopers Rock Lake, Curtisville, Dunkard Fork Lake, Edwards Run Ponds, Fayette County Park Ponds, Fort Ashby Lake, French Creek Pond, Hurricane Lake, Indian Rock Lake, Krodel Lake, Laurel Lake, Little Beaver Lake, Mountwood Lake, North Bend State Park Pond, Pendleton Lake, Pipestem Lake, Seneca Lake, South Mill Creek Lake, Tomlinson Run Lake, Tuckahoe Lake, Watoga Lake. (A full list follows.)
The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources regularly stocks channel catfish throughout the summer to provide accessible fishing opportunities on public waters. The agency maintains an online stocking report that allows anglers to see recently stocked locations before planning a trip.
What anglers need to know before fishing
Anyone age 15 or older must possess a valid West Virginia fishing license and a government-issued form of identification while fishing. Licenses may be purchased online, and anglers can also check the latest stocking updates through the state’s fish-stocking website or by calling the WVDNR stocking hotline.
For visitors unfamiliar with West Virginia, many of these fishing destinations are located near scenic drives, hiking trails, and historic small towns, making them easy additions to a broader Mountain State vacation. Whether the goal is landing a first catfish or simply enjoying an afternoon beside a quiet lake, the latest stockings provide dozens of new places to cast a line this summer.
Full alphabetical list of catfish stocked lakes and ponds
- Airport Pond
- Anawalt Lake
- Anderson Lake
- Babcock (Boley Lake)
- Barboursville Lake
- Berwind Lake
- Big Ditch Lake
- Brandywine Lake
- Brushy Fork Lake
- Cacapon State Park Lake
- Camp Caesar Lake
- Cedar Creek State Park Lake
- Chief Logan Lake
- Conaway Run Lake
- Coonskin Pond
- Coopers Rock Lake
- Curtisville
- Deegan Lake
- Dunkard Fork Lake
- Edwards Run Ponds
- Fairfax
- Fayette County Park Ponds
- Fitzpatrick
- Fort Ashby Lake
- French Creek Pond
- Handley Pond
- Hinkle Lake
- Horse Creek Lake
- Hurricane Lake
- Indian Rock Lake
- James P. Bailey Lake
- Jimmy Lewis
- Kimsey Run
- Krodel Lake
- Laurel Lake
- Lick Creek Pond
- Little Beaver Lake
- Logan County Airport
- Mason Lake
- Miller Fork Pond
- Mountwood Lake
- North Bend State Park Pond
- Parker Hollow
- Pendleton Lake
- Pipestem Lake
- Poorhouse Lake
- Rollins Lake
- Seneca Lake
- South Mill Creek Lake
- Teter Creek Lake
- Tomlinson Run Lake
- Tuckahoe Lake
- Wallback Lake
- Watoga Lake
About Channel Catfish
Channel catfish are among North America’s most widespread freshwater fish and have long been a favorite among anglers for their adaptability and willingness to bite in warm weather. Native to rivers and lakes throughout much of the central and eastern United States, they thrive in a wide range of habitats, from large reservoirs and flowing rivers to small public lakes and ponds. Their distinctive forked tail, deeply spotted sides on younger fish, and whisker-like barbels around the mouth make them easy to recognize.
An opportunistic feeder, the channel catfish relies heavily on its keen sense of smell and taste to locate food, often feeding near the bottom after sunset or in low light. The species consumes insects, crayfish, freshwater mussels, minnows, and other small fish, as well as a variety of plant material and organic matter. Anglers commonly catch channel catfish using natural baits such as nightcrawlers, chicken liver, cut bait, or prepared stink baits fished on or near the lake bottom.
Channel catfish are extensively managed by state wildlife agencies because they grow quickly, tolerate a variety of water conditions, and provide excellent fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. In West Virginia, the species is stocked regularly in many public lakes and ponds to supplement natural populations and improve recreational fishing throughout the summer. Although many fish caught by anglers weigh only a few pounds, channel catfish can live for more than two decades and, under favorable conditions, grow to more than 30 pounds, making them one of the state’s most popular warm-water game fish.
For more information about channel catfish stockings, visit WVdnr.gov/fish-stocking. Anglers may also find out what waters have been stocked by calling the stocking hotline at 304-558-3399.
All anglers 15 years and older are required to have a West Virginia fishing license and a valid form of identification while fishing in the state. Licenses may be purchased online at WVfish.com.
This is a great program the WV dnr has and I hope they continue this program for years to come . A channel catfish is usually the first big fish a kid catches making him or her hooked on fishing .