The West Virginia Division of Natural Resource – WVDNR – announced last week that 44 lakes and streams were stocked with trout during the weeks of October 21 and October 28 as part of the state’s third annual Monster Trout Contest.
During those two weeks, the WVDNR stocked 35,000 pounds of trophy-size trout and 6,500 pounds of monster trout, 100 of which received a pink tag. Anglers who catch a tagged monster trout, submit a photo with the tag number online and meet eligibility requirements 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. 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
The following waters received a stocking:
Anthony Creek, Big Clear Creek, Blackwater River, Brandywine Lake, Buckhannon River, Buffalo Fork Lake, Cacapon Park Lakes, Coopers Rock Lake, Cranberry River, Elk River (Randolph, Tucker), Evitts Run, Glade Creek of New River (Raleigh), 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, Pipe-stem 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 (Mullens), Watoga Lake, West Fork Greenbrier River, Wheeling Creek, Williams River, Wheeling Creek and Willi-ams River.
While daily trout stockings are not announced in advance, the WVDNR pub- lishes 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.
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
