SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources completed its series of fall trout stockings in 40 waters around the state on Oct. 28 and is encouraging anglers to get out and enjoy a fishing trip in the coming weeks.
“It’s not uncommon for anglers to reel in a trout weeks after a stocking has occurred, so we want to encourage folks to keep casting their lines and keep enjoying West Virginia’s incredible fishing opportunities,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion.
Fall trout stockings this year coincided with the state’s first-ever Monster Trout Contest, announced by Gov. Jim Justice in October. During the weeks of Oct. 17 and Oct 24, the WVDNR stocked 30,000 trout, 2,500 of which were trophy-size rainbows. Out of the 2,500 trophy trout, 250 were tagged with a special number. Anglers who reel in one of these tagged fish and submit a photo of their catch will receive a commemorative hat and certificate.
Lakes and streams that received a fall trout stocking during the weeks of Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 are listed below. Each water was stocked each week for a total of two stockings.
- Anthony Creek
- Big Clear Creek
- Blackwater River
- Brandywine Lake
- Buckhannon River
- Buffalo Fork Lake
- Cacapon Park Lake
- Coopers Rock Lake
- Cranberry River
- Elk River
- Evitts Run
- Glade Creek of New
- Guyandotte River (upper section)
- Knapps Creek
- Lost River
- New Creek Dam #14
- North Branch Potomac River (Jennings Randolph Tailwaters)
- North Fork South Branch
- Opequon Creek
- Pendleton Lake
- Pinnacle Creek
- Pipestem Lake
- Pond Fork
- R.D. Bailey Tailwaters
- Rock Cliff Lake
- Seneca Lake
- Shavers Fork (Bemis)
- Shavers Fork (lower section)
- Shavers Fork (upper section)
- South Branch (Franklin)
- South Branch (Smoke Hole)
- Spruce Knob Lake
- Summersville Tailwaters
- Summit Lake
- Sutton Tailwaters
- Teter Creek Lake
- Tygart River Headwaters
- Tygart Tailwaters
- Watoga Lake
- West Fork Greenbrier
- Williams River
During the week of Oct. 24, the Sutton tailwaters were stocked at the first bridge downstream from the dam in Sutton due to work being done on the inside of the dam and the upper section of the Williams River was only stocked to Tea Creek Campground due to a road closure.
Anglers can find fall trout stocking waters in the 2022 Fishing Regulations Summary by looking for Code F on the stocking schedule. The WVDNR also posts trout stocking updates online at WVdnr.gov/fish-stocking.
All anglers 15 years and older are required to have a West Virginia fishing license, trout stamp and a valid form of identification while fishing for trout. Licenses and stamps can be purchased at 160 retail locations across the state or online at WVfish.com. To learn more about fishing opportunities and trout stockings in West Virginia, visit WVdnr.gov/fishing.