Fishing in West Virginia — All Fun All Year

Whether you’re seeking secluded wilderness trout fishing or a family vacation, a quality angling experience awaits you in the Mountain State. With its year-round fishing season, more than 20,000 miles of streams and more than 100 public fishing lakes, West Virginia provides anglers with a variety of fishing opportunities and experiences.

Every year, streams and small public fishing lakes are stocked with thousands of pounds of rainbow, brown, brook and West Virginia golden rainbow trout. Trout are stocked from January through May each year, and for two weeks each October. The fish are there, all you have to do is catch them.

You can also cast for warmwater species such as smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and musky.

Many catch-and-release and fly-fishing-only areas provide some of the best and most challenging fly fishing in the East. Shoreline fishing, boat launching ramps, and facilities for the physically challenged are available throughout the state. All children under age 15 fish for free.

Float trips also are available on the South Branch, Cacapon Greenbrier and New rivers.

Many West Virginia state parks, forests and wildlife management areas are located on lakes, rivers and streams. With a wide variety of accommodations to choose from, West Virginia offers excellent fishing opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.

It’s easy to find a place to fish, whether you want to visit somewhere nearby or explore a new area where you can cast a line. Just visit www.mapwv.gov/huntfish/ and check the interactive fishing map to see where fish are available and how to get there.

Before you fish, make sure you have a license. Inexpensive short-term and annual licenses are available at license agents across West Virginia. You may also buy them online at www.wvfish.com.

For more information about fishing in West Virginia, call 304-558-2771 or visit www.wvdnr.gov.