West Virginia Gold Rush returns April 1-6 WVDNR plans special golden rainbow trout stockings
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Gold Rush, a special stocking of golden rainbow trout, returns April 1-6 in more than 55 waters across the state. That week, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will stock only golden rainbow trout in designated lakes and streams. DNR inaugurated the Gold Rush last year, and it was so successful it’s being repeated and expanded.
This year, the Gold Rush will take place in 16 streams and 41 lakes, including those in or close to several state parks. To ensure families have plenty of opportunities to participate, DNR is planning a big release on Saturday, April 6, the last day of the event.
Golden rainbow trout will be stocked at 15 state parks and forests, many of which are offering overnight accommodations and scheduling special programming. Anyone who catches a golden rainbow at a state park is eligible to receive a West Virginia Gold Rush Golden Rainbow Trout Certificate. Anglers can also print their own Gold Rush Certificate at www.wvgoldrush.com
“The 2018 Gold Rush was an exciting event that brought hundreds of new, active and reactivated anglers back to our lakes and streams,” said DNR Director Stephen McDaniel. “Thanks to the efforts of our trout hatcheries staff, we will be able to do it again with more trout, more locations and more chances to strike ‘gold.’”
DNR expects to be able to stock about 40,000 golden rainbows this year, up from 35,000 in 2018. A list of stocked waters and more details about Gold Rush can be found at www.wvgoldrush.com. All anglers 15 and older are required to have a West Virginia fishing license with a current trout stamp and a valid form of identification while fishing. More information about licenses can be found at wvfish.com.
“The purpose of “West Virginia Gold Rush” is to get people, especially children and new anglers, excited about trout fishing by giving them a good opportunity to catch this popular fish,” said Jim Hedrick, hatchery program manager. “We will again be tagging many of the goldens so those who are lucky enough to catch one can turn in the tag for a West Virginia Gold Rush T-shirt.”
Introduced to the public in 1963 as part of West Virginia’s centennial celebration, the golden rainbow trout is prized by anglers young and old for its unmistakable, bright-yellow color. For more than 50 years, golden rainbows have provided a special experience for anglers who have been lucky enough to catch them, and have been a source of frustration for those who haven’t.
Related social media hashtags: #wvgoldrush #wvfish #wvdnr #wvstateparks #almostheaven
