The Shenandoah and Potomac rivers have been popular among anglers for many years thanks to their healthy populations of tiger muskie, largemouth bass and walleye. In fact, the South Branch of the Potomac River is known for having some of the best fly fishing in the nation.
Is there good fly fishing in West Virginia?
Fly fishing has many different facets. The stream just outside our door is the Old Field Fork, one of the headwaters of the Elk River. But West Virginia Fly Fishing on the Greenbrier, Williams, and Cranberry River is a memorable experience as well.
Where is the best fishing in West Virginia?
- Cranberry River.
- Williams River.
- South Branch River — Smoke Hole Area.
- Shavers Fork River.
- Elk River.
- Reservoir Tailwater Area.
- Greenbrier River.
- Cacapon State Park Lakes.
Where are the biggest trout in WV?
The most trophy rainbow trout caught from any single West Virginia water during 2016 came from the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River.
What flies to use for trout in West Virginia?
Best Flies for Fly Fishing in West Virginia For flies, you should keep a wide variety of nymphs and dry flies on hand, including hare’s ear, blue-wing olive, caddis, and pheasant tails.
Can you fish trout year round in WV?
West Virginia Trout Season 2022 Trout fishing season is open all year round with stocking occurring in specific trout waters between February and May.
Are there wild trout in West Virginia?
Brook trout are West Virginia’s only native trout species.
Are there pike in WV?
Large pikes in West Virginia can be a difficult group to tell apart at first, but there are some simple characteristics of each that allow easy identification. Northern pike can be easily differentiated from musky due to color pattern and the shape of their lower fins.
Where do they stock trout in West Virginia?
- Blackwater River.
- Clear Fork of Guyandotte River.
- East Fork Greenbrier River.
- Elk River.
- Little River East Fork Greenbrier River.
- Little River West Fork Greenbrier River.
- North Branch Potomac River (Jennings Randolph Tailwaters)
- Pinnacle Creek (upper and lower sections)
Can you night fish for trout in WV?
Night fishing is allowed, so you can practice your cast under the stars of Pocahontas County’s famous dark sky. Reminder: You’ll need a West Virginia license and trout stamp, along with a National Forest Stamp for some rivers. Where are you catching the next big one?
What kind of fish are in the Cranberry River?
- Type of Stream. Freestone.
- Species. Brown Trout. Brook Trout. Rainbow Trout. Golden Trout. (Some Wild, Mostly Stocked)
- Size. Medium.
- Location. Central West Virginia.
Where was the largest rainbow trout caught?
On September 5, Saskatchewan fisherman Sean Konrad caught a 48-pound, world-record rainbow trout. The fish came from Lake Diefenbaker, where trout genetically engineered to grow extra-big escaped from a fish farm nine years ago. The […]
What is a March Brown fly?
The March Brown Nymph in sizes #12 and #14, or a Pheasant Tail Nymph of the same size, will be your bread and butter flies. March Brown nymphs are flat hydrodynamic shaped clinger/crawlers with an underside that is cupped, with the gill plates forming a sucker to help hold the nymph to rocks in extremely fast water.
What fish are in Elk River WV?
The river has mostly wild fish, though one section is stocked with trout annually, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch large brown, brook, and rainbow trout (some reported to be as big as 26 inches long).
Where is Cranberry River WV?
Directions: The Cranberry River is located in south central West Virginia, near Richwood, in the Monongahela National Forest. Forest Road 76 parallels much of the river and allows access to many potential swimming spots. The Woodbine Swimming Hole is located at the Woodbine picnic site.
How many trout can I keep in WV?
Creel limit is four trout.
Can you fish in the winter in West Virginia?
There’s never a bad time to grab a fishing pole and hit one of West Virginia’s many streams or lakes — and that includes the cold winter months when people tend to stay indoors. Cold-water fish like trout enjoy winter conditions, making this time of year a good time to fish without large crowds.
How much is an out of state fishing license in WV?
Fishing licenses in West Virginia can range from about $3.00 for a Nonresident 1-Day fishing license to just over $800.00 for a Resident Lifetime Fish/Hunt/Trap license. Take a look below for all the resident and nonresident fishing licenses and prices.
Can you fish in Dolly Sods?
Beginning life in Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, Red Creek is as pristine as it gets. A mix of Native Brook Trout are found among the various stocked species of Trout. River access is found at the entrance of Dolly Sods, where Lanesville Rd.
Are there walleye in West Virginia?
Walleye are native to West Virginia and are considered a cool-water species. They are usually found near the bottom in large, cool-water rivers and reservoirs.
Do you need a fishing license in West Virginia?
WEST VIRGINIA FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION All anglers age 15 and older are required to have a fishing license and a valid form of identification while fishing.
Can you fish with goldfish in WV?
Overall, even if it’s legal to fish with goldfish, it does not seem worth it. It may be only slightly better to fish with dead goldfish. In fact, Florida, North Dakota and West Virginia only permit goldfish as bait if they are dead.
What is the rarest fish in WV?
The diamond darter is a small fish that is so rare it was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the Elk River in West Virginia in 1980.
What fish is WV known for?
- Largemouth bass. World record: 22 lbs 4 oz.
- Smallmouth bass. World record: 11 lbs 15 oz.
- Spotted bass. World record: 9 lbs 8 oz.
- Channel catfish. World record: 58 lbs 0 oz.
- Flathead catfish. World record: 123 lbs 9 oz.
- Blue catfish.
- Black crappie.
- White crappie.
Is there alligator gar in WV?
Habitat. Longnose gar prefer shallow, weedy, quiet waters. However, they are found throughout West Virginia in most streams, rivers and reservoirs.