This is the Official West Virginia Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the West Virginia state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
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Weather its West Virginia Trout fishing, West Virginia bass fishing, West Virginia striper fishing, West Virginia Salmon fishing, West Virginia Catfish fishing, West Virginia steelhead fishing, West Virginia Panfish fishing, West Virginia pike/muskie fishing, West Virginia Walleye fishing  We have the West Virginia state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need West Virginia fishing maps, West Virginia state fishing maps, or just some West Virginia fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

West Virginia Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to West Virginia, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Beech Fork Lake, Cheat Lake, East Lynn Lake, Mt Storm Lake, Stonewall Jackson Lake, Summerville Lake, Tygart Lake and others. Many of the lakes in West Virginia have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. West Virginia is well known for excellent Bass, Crappie and Walleye fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Trout, Catfish, Stripers, Musky, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Sauger, Saugeye, Longnose Gar, Bowfin and sunfish including Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Bass, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in West Virginia by the Fish & Game Department. You can check their website for current fishing reports.

Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Smallmouth Bass Fishing in West Virginia.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the West Virginia area.

Bass Fishing Lakes In West Virginia

Find water in West Virginia and chances are you found bass. Small lakes, ponds, parks and rivers are good places to look. The states major lakes with bass include Beech Fork Lake, Cheat Lake, East Lynn Lake, Mt Storm Lake, Stonewall Jackson Lake, Summerville Lake and Tygart Lake.

The West Virginia state record largemouth bass came out of Dog Run Lake and South Branch produced the WV state record smallmouth bass.

Trout Fishing in West Virginia

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In West Virginia

One area in West Virginia with a significant popullation of trout is the tailwaters of Summerville Lake. Other smaller lakes, ponds, park and rivers may have trout - typically a result of trout stocking programs. Visit the West Virginia West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website for information regarding trout stocking programs in West Virginia.

The West Virginia state record brook trout came out of the Cheat River and South Branch produced the WV state record brown trout. The state record golden trout was pulled from Brushy Fork Lake and the WV state record rainbow trout was served up by Stonecoal Lake. The West Virginia tiger trout was caught from the Greenbrier River.

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Known for its tasty pink flesh, beauty and gameness, the rainbow trout is a favorite among the vast majority of trout fishing anglers. It also appeals to the fly fisherman as it can be tempted to take properly presented flies as well as other baits and lures. It feeds on small insects, minnows, crustaceans and worms. Rainbow trout fishing is fun for both sport and dining pleasures.

In waters that allow such migration the rainbow trout will remain in streams until it reaches 6" to 9" in length and then travel to lakes or oceans where it will bulk up and then return to the streams or rivers to spawn. Steelhead trout are rainbow trout which have adapted to the salt water environment. Fishing for steelhead is very similar to fishing for rainbows. However in winter the steelhead typically prefer spoons or bait rather than flies.

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook trout are found in clear cold waters which seldom exceed 68 degrees. As the waters to warm, the brook trout population begins to diminish. Its primary food source is small insects, mollusks, crustaceans and other small fishes.

Fishing for brook trout is the easiest of all the trouts. Look for gravel bottom streams with a moderate current, plenty of waterfalls and ponds which include rocks and cover. Overhanging trees offer additional shade, attract insects and offer protection from preying birds. Duplicate their food source and you are in business.

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

The brown trout can tolerate slightly warmer waters than the brook trout and have taken over some of the fisheries formerly inhabited by the brookies. It is much more wary than other trouts which help ensure its longevity in waters where other trouts get fished out.

When brown trout fishing look for quiet water with lots of cover. Logs, under cuts in the bank, rock shelves, overhanging trees and brush are some of the brown trouts favorite hiding places. The larger they get, the more wary they become and are more inclined to feed at night under the protection of darkness.

Brown trout feed on worms, minnows, insects and crustaceans. Dry fly fishing for pan-sized browns is a favorite technique as they rise well to these crafty presentations. Larger browns tend to feed more on flesh and favor nutritious crustaceans, worms or small fishes. When fly fishing for large brown trout use wet flies which mimic the local natural baitfish.

Walleye Fishing in West Virginia

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes In West Virginia

You might be surprises at the walleye fishing opportunities in West Virginia. Many of the rivers in the state, especially those that flow into and out of lakes with walleye, are an excellent place to fish for them. The major lakes with walleye populations include Beech Fork Lake, Cheat Lake, East Lynn Lake, Stonewall Jackson Lake, Summerville Lake and Tygart Lake. The West Virginia state record walleye came out of the Kanawha River.

West Virginia walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for West Virginia walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

How To Fish For Walleye

SPRING
Top Baits: Small crankbaits, small jigs and plastic worms.
Fish shallow to moderate depths as the walleye move into the shallows to spawn. Gravel ledges, points and submerged humps in protected areas are prime holding areas.

SUMMER
Top Baits: Crankbaits, Jigs and plastic worms.
Fish shallow in the mornings and evenings and move deeper as the sun rises. Use lures that mimic crawfish as this is a favorite food of the walleye. Follow points and rocky or gravel structure deeper until you establish the proper depth.

FALL
Top Baits: Jigs, crankbaits and spoons.
Fish shallow to moderate depths in the mornings and evenings. As the sun rises move deeper toward outside structure and use small spoons or jigs.

WINTER
Top Baits: Jigs, spoons and plastic worms.
Try moderately shallow depths in the mornings then move deeper as the sun rises. Walleyes are less active in cold water, so move your bait in a slow, easy to catch manner and fish deep structure.

Crappie Fishing in West Virginia

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes In West Virginia

Beech Fork Lake, East Lynn Lake, Stonewall Jackson Lake, Summerville Lake and Tygart Lake are some of the major lakes in West Virginia that contain solid populations of crappie. Most ponds, small lakes, rivers and parks are excellent places to look for crappie. The West Virginia state record crappie came out of Meathouse Fork.

Biologists classify the many varieties of this specie into two main categories. Both have been introduced in many waters both north and south and they tend to adapt to most environments.

Catfish Fishing in West Virginia

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In West Virginia

Flatheads or channel catfish swim in most waters in West Virginia. Most of the big ones tend to be caught in rivers and the lakes tend to serve up the best eatin' catfish. Find catfish in ponds, creeks, rivers and lakes across th state including major lakes like Beech Fork Lake, Cheat Lake, East Lynn Lake, Mt Storm Lake, Stonewall Jackson Lake and Summerville Lake.

The West Virginia state record channel catfish came out of Patterson Creek and the Little Kanawha River produced the WV state record flathead catfish.

Most catfish are considered bottom feeders to one extent or another. They will generally eat anything that can get in their mouth. Their strongest sense is smell which they use to locate potential food sources. Capitalizing on this sense is the primary weapon in your search for these creatures. Aggressive catfish have been caught on most types of fast moving bass lures so don't under estimate their ability to catch live bait.

Fishing for Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus

Channel cats can be caught most any time of year except in extreme cold water conditions. The best time of year tends to be spring and fall followed by summer and lastly winter. Channel catfish favor crawfish and small fish, so look for them at varying depths where there is rock or gravel that attracts the crawfish or other forms of cover that attracts baitfish and other small fish. In the warmer summer months catfish can be found in areas with moss, which they feed on.

Fishing For Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris

Flatheads are caught primarily on bait like live shiners and chubs and only occasionally on cut or prepared baits. They are the second largest of the catfishes and lie in cover of submerged logs or other large structures. Prime fishing time for catching flathead catfish is after dark.

Catfish Baits

If it resembles food in any way and emits scent or an odor it is likely to attract the interest of catfish. Every ardent catfish expert has their own secret recipe. The ingredients range from natural prey of fish and fowl to non-food items like soap and chemicals. Chicken, shrimp, liver and stink baits are the most common ingredients. The long whiskers of the catfish are always in search of an easy meal.

Sunfish Fishing in West Virginia for Bluegills, Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Bass, Yellow Perch and Other WV Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout West Virginia and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish Lakes In West Virginia

You can catch sunfish most everywhere in West Virginia. Fish for them in ponds, creeks, rivers and lakes. Major WV lakes with sunfish include Beech Fork Lake, Cheat Lake, East Lynn Lake, Mt Storm Lake, Stonewall Jackson Lake, Summerville Lake and Tygart Lake.

The West Virginia state record bluegill sunfish came out of a private pond and Tygart Lake produced the WV state record yellow perch.

Striper Fishing in West Virginia

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams which drain into the ocean become the spawning grounds for stripers.

Striped Bass Fishing Lakes In West Virginia

Beech Fork Lake, Bluestone Lake, East Lynn Lake and Mt Storm Lake are the primary waters for stripers in WV. Rivers flowing into and out of these lakes may also have a few stripers. The West Virginia state record striped bass came out of Bluestone Lake.
Fishing for Musky, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Sauger, Saugeye, Longnose Gar, Bowfin in West Virginia.

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