West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

Acres of wide-open public lands. Expansive lakes and flowing streams. Abundant wildlife that calls the mountains home. This is West Virginia. A place where you can discover nature in a new way and enjoy world-class hunting and fishing opportunities.

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Hunting

Hunting

Retreat into the West Virginia wilderness for world-class hunting. Acres of wide-open public lands await for your next hunting excursion.

Fishing

Fishing

A fisherman’s dream, West Virginia is home to 20,000+ miles of streams and 100+ fishing lakes. Cast your line in wide-open lakes and expansive rivers.

Featured Articles

Your Spring Fishing Guide to West Virginia

Tips, best fishing spots and helpful reminders to get you ready for your spring fishing adventures in Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the sport, May is a great time to go fishing in…

Your guide to spring turkey season in West Virginia

Hunting safety tips, essential gear and best hunting locations to help you enjoy turkey hunting in West Virginia It’s been a long winter, but spring is here and so is one of the most exciting events in West Virginia’s hunting…

WVDNR announces top teams, archers for 18th Archery in the Schools state tournament

More than 750 students from nearly 70 schools participated in the annual tournament. CHARLESTON, W.VA. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced on Thursday results from the 18th WVDNR Archery in the Schools State Tournament. The top high school…

9 go-to lakes and streams to help you plan your Gold Rush trip

Nine easy-to-access Gold Rush stocking locations where you can cast your line for a last minute trip. With 50,000 golden rainbow trout, 68 stockings and a chance to win a lifetime fishing license, the West Virginia Gold Rush is the…

7 bucket list items to help you plan your Gold Rush trip

Explore West Virginia’s natural beauty and catch a prized golden rainbow trout with our ultimate Gold Rush fishing trip bucket list. The sixth annual West Virginia Gold Rush is March 28 – April 8. This exciting event offers anglers an…

Wildlife Resources Report: Sectional Meetings

2023 Sectional Meeting Regulation Proposals Questionnaire On this Feb. 15, 2023 edition of the WVDNR Wildlife Resources Report, Chris Lawrence of WV Metro News talks to WVDNR Wildlife Section Chief Paul Johansen about the annual sectional meetings on March 13…

Wildlife Resources Report: Deer Project

On this Feb. 15, 2023 edition of the WVDNR Wildlife Resources Report, Chris Lawrence of WV Metro News talks to Brett Skelley about a study on whitetail deer in three areas of the state to gauge what’s killing the deer…

Archery in the Schools provides inclusive program for kids to learn valuable life skills

After two years of not having an in-person state Archery in the Schools tournament to look forward to, students in West Virginia finally have something to be excited about. The state Archery in the Schools program, which returned to in-person…

French Creek Freddie Facts To Get You Ready For Groundhog Day

You might know French Creek Freddie as West Virginia’s most popular weather-predicting groundhog, but do you know the story of how Freddie started forecasting or how he got his name? Get ready for Groundhog Day celebration at the West Virginia…

Five ways you can help protect wild woodland box turtles

When was the last time you saw a box turtle in the wild? Did you, like so many of us, enjoy watching its slow, steady plod through the grass? Were you treated to the sight of a turtle stretching its…

WVDNR highlights habitat and stream restoration project in Monongahela Forest

GLADY, W.VA. — More than 2,000 acres of wildlife habitat in the Monongahela National Forest is being restored thanks to a collaborative project between the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and United States Forest Service. The work is being…

What you can do to help West Virginia’s official butterfly

The next time you notice a monarch butterfly, with its brilliant orange and black wings rimmed with white dots, take a good long appreciative look. Monarchs used to number in the billions. Since 1976, the world population of monarch butterflies…

WORLD-CLASS HUNTING & FISHING OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT IN #ALMOSTHEAVEN