• Three new state fishing records broken in West Virginia this spring

    WVDNR highlights trophy catches as anglers gear up for summer fishing CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that three new state fishing records have been broken, highlighting the exceptional fishing opportunities available across…

  • WVDNR Urges Life Jacket Use During National Safe Boating Week

    Agency promotes safe boating practices as summer season begins CHARLESTON, W.Va. — To help promote National Safe Boating Week, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), in partnership with its Law Enforcement Section, is reminding boaters about the importance…

  • WVDNR stocks 83 waters during week of May 4

    Anglers are reminded to purchase a 2026 fishing license and trout stamp CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that the following lakes and streams were stocked with trout during the week of May…

  • WVDNR Reminds Public to Leave Young Wildlife Alone

    Handling of wild animals discouraged and violates state law CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today reminded the public to leave young wildlife alone, noting that handling wild animals can harm them, spread disease and…

  • WVDNR Announces Updates to Dove Hunting at 2 Wildlife Management Areas

    Dove limited hunt permits no longer required at South Branch while controlled hunt launches at Stonewall Jackson this fall ROMNEY, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that mourning dove hunters no longer need to…

  • WVDNR releases updated boating regulations for 2026

    Changes include removal of horsepower restrictions on several lakes CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced the following changes to boating regulations, effective immediately: These changes were approved by the West Virginia Legislature during…

  • Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area Boat Ramp Reopened

    WVDNR exploring upgrades to public access site in Cabell County CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced today that the public boat ramp located on Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area in Cabell County has reopened…

  • Reedsville man catches record chain pickerel

    27.95-inch, 5.65-pound fish caught at private Preston County pond in April CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that Matt Born of Reedsville, West Virginia, has caught a new state record chain pickerel. Born…

  • Buckhannon teen catches record-breaking golden rainbow trout

    Hunter Rohr’s catch during the annual West Virginia Gold Rush event sets a new length and weight record CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that 15-year-old Hunter Rohr of Buckhannon, W.Va., caught a…

  • West Virginia Division of Natural Resources opens registration for Becoming an Outdoors Woman spring workshop

    Popular event for outdoor enthusiasts set for May 1-3 at Twin Falls Resort State Park CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that registration is now open for its Becoming An Outdoors Woman (BOW)…

  • West Virginia Natural Resources Commission to meet April 30

    Public invited to attend in-person at six locations or watch via livestream CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today reminded the public that the next quarterly meeting of the Natural Resources Commission will be Thursday,…

  • Kanawha County man catches record-breaking tiger trout

    Catch marks new length record for tiger trout in West Virginia CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that John Terry of Gallagher, W.Va. has set a new state record for tiger trout. Terry…

  • WVDNR Natural Resources Police Officer Named NWTF Officer of Year

    NRPO Cody Smith receives Sharp Spur Award for protecting West Virginia’s wild turkey resources CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced today that the West Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has…

  • WVDNR Wildlife Specialist Named West Virginia Wildlife Manager of the Year

    West Virginia chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation recognizes Heath Miles, a WVDNR wildlife specialist who manages 2 Wildlife Management Areas in Mason County CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that the West…

  • WVDNR Announces 8th Master Angler Award Winner

    Harrison County angler completed six slams and caught 22 fish species to win prestigious award CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that Scott Lattea from Harrison County has become the state’s eighth Master…

  • WVDNR Seeks Public Input on Updated State Wildlife Action Plan

    Draft plan expands conservation focus for 1,292 species across 21 key areas in West Virginia CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced today that members of the public may now review and submit comments on…

  • Hunters Harvest 92,553 Deer During 2025-2026 Seasons

    Decreased deer harvest reflects impact of abundant mast statewide and EHD  outbreak in western counties CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that hunters harvested 92,553 white-tailed deer during the 2025-2026 seasons, which is…

  • West Virginia Gold Rush Returns March 30

    WVDNR will stock 69 lakes and streams with golden rainbow trout CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced the return of Gold Rush stockings at 69 lakes and streams around the state starting March…

  • Natural Resources Commission Meeting Rescheduled to March 12

    Public meetings on proposed regulations moved to March 17-18 CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that the next quarterly meeting of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) originally scheduled for Feb. 19 has been…

  • WVDNR stocks 38 waters during week of Feb. 2

    Anglers are reminded to purchase a 2026 fishing license and trout stamp CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that the following lakes and streams were stocked with trout during the week of Feb….

  • Small Game Hunting, Trapping Seasons Close Feb. 28

    WVDNR reminds trappers to electronically check their catches within 30 days of season closing CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) is reminding hunters and trappers that seasons for several small game and fur-bearing species are…

  • Natural Resources Commission to Meet Feb. 19

    Public invited to attend in-person at six locations or watch via livestream CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today reminded the public that the next quarterly meeting of the Natural Resources Commission will be Thursday,…

  • French Creek Freddie Predicts More Winter for West Virginia

    Gov. Morrisey helps reveal prediction and announces Wildlife Center loop trail as a Mountaineer Mile FRENCH CREEK, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that French Creek Freddie, the state’s official weather-predicting groundhog, predicted six…

  • West Virginia Hunters Harvest 2,469 Black Bears in 2025

    Preliminary harvest mirrors 2024 totals as firearms season accounts for the majority of bears taken statewide CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) today announced that hunters harvested 2,469 black bears during the combined 2025 archery…

  • WVDNR Announces Winners of 2025 Big Buck Photo Contest

    Grand prize winner will receive a lifetime license, others to get a state forest cabin stay or prize package CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) announced today the winners of the state’s fifth annual Big…