WVDNR stocks 43 waters during second week of fall trout stocking

Anglers are reminded to purchase a 2023 fishing license and trout stamp.

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.VA. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced on Monday that 43 waters were stocked last week during the second and final week of fall trout stocking. The state’s Monster Trout Contest, which coincides with fall trout stocking, will remain open until Nov. 17.

Over the last two weeks, the WVDNR stocked more than 40,000 pounds of trophy-size and monster trout, 6,500 pounds of which were monster trout weighing 3-6 pounds. Five monster trout received a special tag and anglers who catch one and submit a photo with the tag number will be eligible to win a weekend cabin stay at a West Virginia State Park or a Cabela’s prize package. Entries must be submitted by Friday, Nov. 17. To learn more about the Monster Trout Contest, visit WVdnr.gov/fall-monster-trout-stockings.

The following waters were stocked during the week of Oct. 23:

• Anthony Creek
• Big Clear Creek
• Blackwater River
• Brandywine Lake
• Buckhannon River
• Buffalo Fork Lake
• Cacapon Park Lake
• Coopers Rock Lake
• Cranberry River
• Elk River (Randolph, Webster)
• Evitts Run
• Glade Creek of Mann
• Glade Creek of New River
• Knapps Creek
• Lost River
• New Creek Dam No. 14
• North Branch of 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 Lake Tailwaters
• Tygart Valley River Headwaters
• Upper Guyandotte River
• Watoga Lake
• West Fork Greenbrier River
• Wheeling Creek
• Williams River

Wheeling Creek in Marshall and Ohio counties and Glade Creek of Mann (Babcock State Park) have been added to the fall stocking list. Upper Shavers Fork will not be stocked on FS Service Road 209 due to road construction by the U.S. Forest Service. The remainder of the Upper Shavers Fork stocking locations will receive fish.

In November and December, the WVDNR will also stock trout on the Elk River in Webster County as part of a pilot program to evaluate the economic impact of trout stocking in the area. Stockings, which will occur at the usual stocking locations, will include 750 rainbow trout each month for a total of 1,500 additional trout stocked in the Elk River.

For a complete list of waters receiving a fall trout stocking, anglers should check pages 14-15 in the 2023 Fishing Regulations Summary. 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 175 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.