January 28th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

 In an effort to encourage families and new anglers to enjoy fishing during the spring 2018 season, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has announced the locations of 104 trout stockings.

These stockings are scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays. Locations were selected based on proximity to state parks and adequate access points, and to accommodate anglers and hatchery staff.

“Stocking these lakes and streams on Fridays and Saturdays will provide a unique fishing opportunity for children and families and help us recruit new anglers,” said DNR Director Stephen McDaniel. “This will help families make plans as they look for weekend activities at our beautiful state parks and forests, and create additional fishing opportunities for those who work or attend school during regularly scheduled trout stockings.”

Announced stockings will start Friday, March 2 and continue through Saturday, May 19. They correspond with the annual stocking schedule, published in the 2018 West Virginia Fishing Regulations, and are not additional or surplus stockings. Anglers can anticipate the stockings to include the same amount and variety of trout typically stocked in these waters. 

Friday and Saturday stockings will take place at:

Audra State Park 
Middle Fork River – March 9, April 6, May 4

Blackwater Falls State Park 
Pendleton Lake – March 10, April 2*
Blackwater River – March 9, March 23, April 6*, April 20, May 4, May 18

Cacapon Resort State Park
Cacapon State Park lakes – March 10, March 24, April 2*, April 21, May 5, May 19

Camp Creek State Park 
Camp Creek – March 9, March 23, April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18 
Mash Fork – March 9, March 23, April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18

Canaan Valley Resort State Park 
Glady Fork – March 16, April 13, May 11
Shavers Fork (Bemis) – March 16, April 13, May 11

Coopers Rock State Forest 
Big Sandy – March 2, March 16, March 30, April 13, April 27, May 11 
Coopers Rock Lake -  March 2, March 16, March 30, April 13, April 27, May 11

Chief Logan State Park 
Chief Logan pond – March 10, May 12

Holly River State Park 
Laurel Fork [within the park] – March 9, March 23, April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18
Left Fork of Holly River – March 9, March 23, April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18

Little Beaver State Park
Little Beaver Lake – March 10
Glade Creek of New River – March 10

North Bend State Park
North Bend Tailwaters – March 3, April 2*

Pipestem Resort State Park
Longbranch Lake – March 17, April 2*, May 5

Seneca State Forest
Seneca Lake – March 10, March 24, April 21, May 5, May 19

Stonewall Resort State Park
Stonewall Jackson Tailwater – March 9, March 23, April 6*, April 20, May 4, May 18
Sutton Tailwater – March 9, March 23, April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18
Burnsville Tailwater – March 9, March 23, April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18

Tomlinson Run State Park
Tomlinson Run Lake – March 3
King Creek – March 3
Tomlinson Run – March 3

Tygart Lake State Park
Tygart Tailwaters – March 9, May 4

Watoga State Park
Watoga Lake – March 10, March 24, April 2*, April 21, May 5, May 19
Greenbrier River (Marlinton) – March 9, April 6

* Dates marked with an asterisk indicate golden rainbow trout stockings during DNR’s Gold Rush Week, April 2-7.

Anglers are not permitted to fish within 200 feet of WVDNR staff during a stocking event. Licensing requirements remain the same. Licenses may be purchased at agents across the state or online at www.wvfish.com.