West Virginia Stocking Big Trout in 44 Lakes and Streams

The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources stocked 44 lakes and streams with trout in late October, and anglers who take some of them are eligible for prizes. More than 35,000 pounds of trophy-size trout and 6,500 pounds of monster trout (100 of which were tagged) were stocked in advance of its annual Monster Trout Contest, according to state officials.  Eligible anglers who catch a tagged monster trout and submit a photo with the tag number online can win a prize.

One winner will receive a weekend cabin stay at a West Virginia State Park, and four other winners will receive a Cabela’s prize package.

In addition, one monster trout was tagged by West Virginia’s first youth Master Angler, and whoever catches it and meets eligibility requirements can win a free lifetime fishing license.  To be eligible to win, Monster Trout Contest entries must be submitted by Friday, November 22, 2024. To learn more about the Monster Trout Contest, visit WVDNR.gov/fall-monster-trout-stockings.

2024 West Virginia Fall Trout Stocking Locations

The following waters received a stocking during the weeks of Oct. 21 and Oct. 28:

• Anthony Creek
• Big Clear Creek
• Blackwater River
• Brandywine Lake
• Buckhannon River
• Buffalo Fork Lake
• Cacapon Park Lakes
• Coopers Rock Lake
• Cranberry River
• Elk River (Tucker and Randolph counties)
• Evitts Run
• Glade Creek of New River (Raleigh County)
• Knapps Creek
• Lost River
• New Creek Dam No. 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 Lake (Tailwaters)
• Rock Cliff Lake
• Seneca Lake
• Shavers Fork (at Bemis)
• Shavers Fork (Lower Section)
• Shavers Fork (Upper Section)
• South Branch (at Franklin)
• South Branch (at Smoke Hole)
• Spruce Knob Lake
• Summersville Tailwaters
• Summit Lake
• Sutton Tailwaters
• Teter Creek Lake
• Tygart Lake Tailwaters
• Tygart Valley River Headwaters
• Upper Guyandotte River (at Mullens)
• Watoga Lake
• West Fork Greenbrier River
• Wheeling Creek
• Williams River
• Wheeling Creek
• Williams River

While daily trout stockings are not announced in advance, the WVDNR publishes a list of recently stocked waters at WVdnr.gov/fish-stocking. Anglers may also find out what waters have been stocked by calling the stocking hotline at 304-558-3399.

In inclement weather, missed stockings are made up by either additional stocking runs or additional fish added to upcoming stocking events. For more information about trout stocking locations, anglers should check pages 14–15 in the 2024 Fishing Regulations Summary, available to download at WVDNR.gov/fishing-regulations.

All anglers 15 years and older must 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.

Our thanks to West Virginia Explorer and contributing editor Will Reedy for the information in this story.