People who love to fish rarely need a reason to go, but new stocking opportunities may give them one, anyway.
State wildlife officials from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) have stocked channel catfish in more than 50 lakes and ponds across West Virginia according to reporting from the West Virginia Explorer.
The recent stockings, completed during the last weeks of June, reach nearly every corner of the state.
Channel catfish can be caught from shore with simple tackle and common baits, making them an appealing choice for families introducing children to fishing.
The species is known for remaining active during the warmest months of the year, when many anglers shift their attention from spring trout fishing to lakes and ponds.
Anyone age 15 or older must possess a valid West Virginia fishing license and a government-issued form of identification while fishing. Licenses may be purchased online, and anglers can also check the latest stocking updates through the state’s fish-stocking website or by calling the WVDNR stocking hotline at 304-558-3399.
The WVDNR regularly stocks channel catfish throughout the summer to provide accessible fishing opportunities on public waters. The agency maintains an online stocking report that allows anglers to see recently stocked locations before planning a trip.
Catfish stocked lakes and ponds
- Cedar Creek State Park Lake
- Fayette County Park Ponds
- North Bend State Park Pond
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