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Free Fishing Weekend Planned June 10, 11

West Virginia’s Free Fishing Weekend will return June 10-11, 2023.

West Virginia’s Free Fishing Weekend will return June 10-11, 2023. It is part of a nationwide effort to make fishing more accessible to the public. During these two days, residents and nonresidents can fish for free in West Virginia’s public lakes, streams, and rivers without having to buy a license.

“As a lifelong angler, I know firsthand that fishing in West Virginia is one of the most joyous things you can do in this world,” Gov. Jim Justice said. “I want to encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to try fishing out or to introduce someone you know to the sport we all love so much.”

West Virginia’s Free Fishing Weekend isn’t limited to giving new anglers a chance to try the sport out. People who have fished in the past but haven’t renewed their license in years are encouraged to participate.

“Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, our Free Fishing Weekend is a great time to cast a line and have some fun,” West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) Director Brett McMillion said. “We hope this event will encourage people to try fishing for the first time or to rekindle their love for the sport.”

As part of Free Fishing Weekend, the WVDNR will host its annual fishing derby for kids at Little Beaver State Park on June 10. The event gives children an opportunity to receive basic fishing instruction and to enjoy time outdoors with friends and family. The event is free to attend, but anglers will need to register to participate. Registration will take place on-site from 9-10:30 a.m. on the day of the derby.

Anglers who enjoy Free Fishing Days and want to continue fishing after this weekend can purchase or renew a fishing license at WVfish.com.

For more information about fishing opportunities in West Virginia, go to WVdnr.gov/fishing.

‘Gold Rush’ Is On; State Golden Trout Stocking Begins

Glade Creek’s beauty took on a much richer, golden rainbow hue on Monday as the sixth annual Gold Rush got underway. The state’s largest fish stocking initiative highlights the golden rainbow trout.

It’s well established that Gov. Jim Justice loves to hunt and fish. Sitting on the banks of Glade Creek at Babcock State Park Monday, he told the gathered crowd a fish story, one with a bittersweet ending.

“There’s no trout stream anywhere in the absolute world that’s as beautiful as Glade Creek,” Justice said. “I can’t tell you the number of days that I would walk all the way to the river, and try to start fishing my way back upstream in the middle of the summer. I think during all those trips, I probably caught two trout. I caught a lot of little, horny toad minnows, but it absolutely was the most beautiful place on the planet.”

Department of Natural Resources Director Brett McMillion said with recent hatchery restoration, West Virginia’s fish crop production numbers have positioned the Mountain State among the east coast leaders. He said this first stocking is just the beginning for the prized catch.

West Virginia native golden rainbow trout in Glade Creek. *Credit: WV Governor’s Office*

“We’re going to stock over 50,000 pounds of golden rainbow trout, ” McMillion said. “This is a native species, home grown here in the state of West Virginia. We’re going to hit 68 waters, 47 lakes and 21 streams. Our intent will be to turn this into a family oriented activity. We think that getting the kids into fishing and having outdoor sports are the best things we can be doing right now.”

The trout stocking will continue in waters in or near West Virginia’s 15 state parks and forests. The 12 days of Gold Rush stockings are not part of the WVDNR’s regular trout stockings. As a fishing event, the Gold Rush is unique because only golden rainbow trout are included in the stockings. During traditional trout stockings, only one golden rainbow trout is stocked for every 10 regular rainbows.

McMillion said 100 of the golden trout have been tagged, with winners earning prizes ranging from lifetime fishing licenses to state park overnight lodgings. If an angler catches a trout with one of these tags, they can enter the tag number at WVdnr.gov/goldrush.

During Monday’s stocking, Justice also announced the opening of Old Sewell Road, a hiking trail connecting Babcock State Park with New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The newly renovated path runs alongside Glade Creek in Babcock State Park downstream to the New River. He presented certificates to the West Virginia Division of Highways Central Heavy Highway Maintenance Crew for their efforts in renovating the trail.

“Getting this trail finished is an incredible feat, and I am so proud of everyone,” Justice said. “Who would’ve thought that West Virginia would be in an international travel guide saying this is the place to be? There’s no way of imagining what you’ve accomplished. All I did was turn you loose.”

The sixth edition of the Gold Rush runs until April 8.

Free Fishing Weekend Returns Statewide June 12-13

West Virginia’s Free Fishing Weekend is back this Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13. Residents and nonresidents are able to fish in West Virginia for free.

In preparation for the weekend, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has been stocking catchable-size channel catfish in 59 lakes around the state.

Last year, to encourage more outdoor activities, West Virginia expanded the state’s free fishing opportunities, holding dates for free fishing in March, and extending the promotion through nearly all of April and May, along with an additional Free Fishing Weekend in June.

“Each summer, more and more people of all ages are getting out, enjoying the world-class fishing we have to offer, and taking in the magnificent outdoors that we are blessed with in West Virginia,” Gov. Jim Justice said. “As someone who’s been a fisherman my whole life and knows the kind of joy and memories fishing can provide, I couldn’t be prouder of this great event, and that’s why we’re always looking for ways to introduce more West Virginians to this wonderful pastime.”

As a result, hunting and fishing license sales went up by nearly 40 percent for the month of June 2020 compared to the same month the previous year.

More information about fishing in West Virginia is available online at wvdnr.gov and can also be found in the 2021 Fishing Regulations brochure, which is available online and at authorized Fishing License Agents.

After this weekend, anglers must have a valid fishing license to fish in West Virginia. To purchase a new license or to renew an existing license, visit wvfish.com.

40,000 Golden Trout Stocked Across W.Va. This Week

Beginning April 1, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources is stocking golden rainbow trout in 55 lakes and streams across the state for a special event called the “Gold Rush.”

According to a press release by the DNR, the agency expects to stock about 40,000 golden rainbow trout during this week of special stockings. The biggest release takes place Saturday, April 6th.

West Virginia’s fishing season is already underway and runs through May 31. But before casting their line, anglers must have a 2019 fishing license.

Some of the stocking locations during the “Gold Rush” are along rivers, including Blackwater River, Cranberry River and Greenbrier River. Twelve state parks will also be stocked, including Babcock, Pipestem, Stonewall Resort and Watoga.

To see the full list of locations where fish stocking is taking place this week, click here.

New River Gorge National River Gets National Grant to Promote Outdoor Recreation

The New River Gorge National River in West Virginia will receive a grant to bolster a partnership aimed at getting local residents involved in recreational activities.

The National Park Foundation on Wednesday announced 20 grants to enhance the country’s national trails and wild and scenic rivers. The grants totaling more than $500,000 are in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Trails and National Wild and Scenic Rivers systems.

In southern West Virginia, the Get Active in the Park program provides free, beginner-level instruction in outdoor activities such as yoga, rock climbing, paddle boarding, hiking and fly fishing.

The program is a partnership between the nonprofit group Active Southern West Virginia and the region’s national parks.

No Fishing License Needed this Weekend in West Virginia

Casting a line won’t cost anything in West Virginia this weekend.

The state Division of Natural Resources is holding its annual free fishing weekend for both residents and nonresidents. It’s part of National Fishing and Boating Week.

DNR Director Stephen McDaniel says people with licenses are being encouraged to introduce someone else to the fun of fishing.

There should be an ample amount of available fish. Recently the DNR stocked channel catfish in lakes at 11 state parks.

There will be fishing tournaments Saturday at the Bowden Hatchery near Elkins and at Little Beaver State Park near Beckley. The events are free but participants must register first.