BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will begin fall trout stockings later this month.
Trophy-size and monster trout will be stocked at 40 lakes and streams during the weeks of October 21st and 28th, according to officials with Governor Jim Justice’s office.
During these two weeks, the WVDNR will stock 35,000 pounds of trout weighing one- to two-pounds and 6,500 pounds of monster trout weighing three- to six-pounds around the state.
The third annual Monster Trout Contest will also return at the same time.
The WVDNR will tag 100 monster trout with a bright pink tag, and anglers who catch one of these fish and submit a photo with the tag number online will be eligible to win a prize. Five of those people will be selected to win a grand prize, such as a weekend cabin stay at a West Virginia State Park or a Cabela’s prize package.
Entries must be submitted by Friday, November 22nd.
“Our fall trout stockings are designed to support West Virginia’s fisheries and offer exceptional recreational fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels,” WVDNR Director Brett McMillion said. “The Monster Trout Contest adds an extra level of excitement and encourages people to get outside and experience our state’s natural beauty while enjoying top-notch sport fishing.”
Also, in November and December, the WVDNR will stock trout on the Elk River in Webster County for the second year.
These stockings, which are part of a program to evaluate the economic impact of trout stocking, will occur at usual stocking locations, officials said. The WVDNR will stock 750 rainbow trout each month for a total of 1,500 additional trout stocked in the Elk River.
To learn more about these stockings, visit WVdnr.gov/elk-river-trout-stockings.
During this season, the WVDNR will also conduct a trout-tagging study and is asking anglers who watch a tagged trout to report their catch using information printed on the tag. Trout study tags are yellow and include a four-digit number and a WVDNR email address.
Anglers who catch a tagged fish should clip off the tag and email the number to the provided address along with the date of their catch and whether they harvested or released the trout, officials said.
Information collected in this study will be used by WVDNR biologists to understand fish movement, estimate angler catch rates and determine how long stocked fish remain in streams so they can better manage stocked trout waters.
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 160 retail locations across the state or online at WVfish.com.
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