Things are just a little different than they were in 1966. The average house cost just over 14,000 dollars back then and gas was 32 cents a gallon. A singer named Bob Dylan got hurt in a motorcycle wreck, Star Trek premiered on TV and two young couple’s near Point Pleasant, and West Virginia reportedly saw a moth like creature known as the Mothman.
Some West Virginia fishermen remember these things, most do not. Fishermen that were around in 1966 remember that year for one thing, opening day for trout season ended. Trout fishing became a year round endeavor. For those that never experienced an opening day of trout season, well, you kind of had to see it to believe it. Think New Year’s Eve, Mardi Gras, with the World’s Fair and a rodeo thrown in.
One would think that bringing trout fishing in year round would bring praise from all trout fishermen, but it didn’t. Some bemoaned the passing of the opening day carnival but now most admit that year round trout fishing is just plain better. No more waiting till April, if a warm March day comes your way you just go trout fishing! Because starting Jan. 1 of every year (weather permitting) the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’stocking trucks will be rolling.
“Many older anglers recollect a closed trout season with an opening day as a great fishing opportunity” said Jim Hedrick WVDNR fisheries biologist and head of the trout stocking program. “The WVDNR has received many comments from anglers over the years with a recommendation to reinstate the WV trout season” he said. Jim told me the WVDNR has continued to maintain a year round open season for numerous reasons.
Due to the increased number of anglers over the past 50 years an opening day would not likely be as many remember, but rather so many anglers present that quality fishing would be impossible. When you boil it down, the year round season simply gives us more days to fish!
“The WV trout stocking program has become a legacy in WV with now more than 60 years of annual stocking in WV waters around the state” Jim Hedrick told me. “The trout stocking program provides many recreation opportunities in streams and impoundments that would not sustain natural trout populations” he said. Most trout stocked each year are harvested by anglers and provide food fish volumes greater than our native stocks could provide.
The WV trout fishing regulations are designed to provide a variety of fishing opportunities to match the angler desires. Most trout are stocked into streams and lakes under a put-and-take regulation allowing immediate harvest. This is common in streams and lakes where summer water temperatures are too warm for trout to survive. A wide variety of other regulations occur on streams and lakes to provide unique fishing opportunities and often in locations where trout can survive all year. These include catch and release, class Q areas for handicap and children age 10 and under, delayed harvest which only permits keeping fish during certain time periods, and fingerling stockings.
There is no doubt that West Virginia is blessed with many trout streams and an excellent trout program administered by the WVNDR. (Over 200 streams and lakes are stocked with trout) Let’s take a look at some destinations for a trout fishing expedition.
Big Water from the Mountains. Cranberry River is definitely one of the premier trout streams in the West Virginia.Generations of Mountain State fishermen have thought of this stream as their favorite. Many consider the Cranberry one of the finest trout streams in the United States. It is formed by the North and South Forks in Pocahontas County; from this confluence the main Cranberry runs for 24 miles through Webster and Nicholas Counties.
For most of its length the Cranberry is encompassed by National Forest and has many campgrounds and picnic areas along its banks. It is a virtual trout fisherman’s paradise. Cranberry is stocked once in January, twice in February, and once a week March through May.
For trout fishing the Cranberry River consists of two sections, the lower end and the “back country”. The backcountry includes 16 miles of remote stream including the North Fork and the South Fork branches. Motorized vehicles are not allowed here, bicycles and horses are allowed in the back country area.
Anglers who want a more remote, solitary fishing experience may wish to try the gated back country. Excellent access is available to the lower section of the river which has roads(Forest Service Rt. 76) that runs near the stream the entire distance. Cranberry River is stocked for a 16 ½ mile stretch from Woodbine Recreation Area to the mouth of Dogway Fork. Finding a place to fish will not be a problem.
If you need a plan of attack for fishing the Cranberry for a few days, try this. Set the GPS in your truck for Richwood, West Virginia. This former lumber town is 30 minutes from Summersville, WV, on Rt. 39/55. Pick up whatever supplies you need at Richwood and one mile east of town take Forest Service Road 76. Twelve and one half miles later you will see Cranberry Campground. Make this your base of operations. If Cranberry campground is full, try nearby Bishop Knob or Big Rockcampgrounds. (There are also motel accommodations at Richwood)
There is a problem with staying at Richwood. The North and the South Fork of the Cherry River flow together here and form the main stem of the Cherry River. All three are in sight of town and all three are stocked trout streams. It’s possible that you could be so busy fishing these streams you would never make it to the Cranberry, what a dilemma!
The South Fork of the Cherry features 11 miles that are stocked weekly, March through May by WVDNR. Almost this entire stream is accessible by road. The North Fork of the Cherry,which winds along Rt. 39/55, is stocked from the town of Richwood 12 miles upstream to the mouth of Carpenter Run.
The North Fork of the Cherry, as it tumbles its way from the top of Kennison Mountain, is one of the prettiest trout streams in West Virginia, and that is saying a lot. The main stem of the Cherry has an 8 mile section that is stocked with trout from Fenwick on Rt. 20/55 to the confluence with the Gauley River.
Maybe after a couple of hard days fishing the trout streams around Richwood you need a break, and you want a little lake fishing. That is no problem, got just the place. Six miles outside of town on Rt. 39/55 look for Summit Lake Road. Summit Lake is a beautiful 43 acer impoundment on top of the mountain. It too is stocked with trout by WVDNR.
Summit Lake is stocked once per month in January and February (weather permitting) and once per week March through May. If you have a small boat to launch (only electric trolling motors are allowed) here you could be in for some fine trout fishing trolling spinners, small imitation minnow artificials and small spoons. As a bonus, bass and pan fish are also found here.
Summit Lake has a beautiful 33 site campground that is primitive but does have toilets and drinking water. It is a great place to camp for a week and enjoy the trout fishing of the lake and the surrounding streams. A combination trout fishing and spring gobbler hunt in April or May is worth considering as you are literally surrounded by thousands of acers of National Forest.
If you want a little added adventure one day take the Forest Service road to the area behind Summit Lake and park at the signs for the Fisherman’s Trail. Take this trail on a two mile hike down the hill to Cranberry River. Fish the Cranberry all day if you like but I would suggest you leave enough time to hike back out before dark.
Go native for wild brook trout. Some trout fishermen want amore remote fishing experience with even more solitude. They may want to pursue the holy grail of trout in the east, the native brook trout. West Virginia has an incredible wealth of native trout streams. This is a little different game than going after the stockies. Like many good things, you don’t hear much about it. Finding good brook streams may take a little more work and exploring, but it is well worth it. (Many of the tributaries of the stocked streams listed above contain native Brook Trout)
“Pendleton County, West Virginia has what is regarded as one of the finest Brook Trout fisheries anywhere, once making Trout Unlimited “100 Best Trout Streams in America” list” David Thorne, WVDNR fisheries biologist and head of the wild trout project told me. “Seneca Creek would be considered a first-rate wild fishery by anyone’s standards” he said. In addition to being a Brook Trout angler’s dream, Seneca is also highly regarded for the beautiful wild Rainbow Trout co-existing alongside the native brookies. Seneca Creek is very accessible along US Route 33 and Whites Run Road; there are 11 miles of walk-in fishery in the Seneca Creek Backcountry for the adventurous angler who seeks a wilderness fishing experience.
The upper Shavers Fork in Randolph and Pocahontas Counties has a legendary history as a Brook Trout fishery. Pictures and stories have been well-documented of the “hundred-plus fish days” of fish up to 15” long from the early 1900’s before logging and mining activities took their toll on the landscape and water quality. The fishery has been undergoing a renaissance since the acquisition of 48,000 acres of the headwaters by the Monongahela National Forest in 1988. Despite the impacts to the river and its tributaries, native brookies abound, along with wild rainbows and browns. The most consistent fishing action for native Brook Trout is in the tributaries, but you can find some of the larger representatives in the main stem. If you look for likely places for fish to hold, they will be there. General fishing regulations are in effect here but catch-and-release is recommended to help maintain the quality of the improving fishery.
Lots of research and restoration activities have improved the quality and quantity of fish habitat in Shavers Fork. WVDNR has employed limestone sand to various acidic tributaries since the early 1990’s to improve reproductive success and increase overall productivity in the watershed. And more recently, in-stream and riparian habitat restoration activities, including narrowing the channel, improving pools, and planting trees to provide additional shade to cool the stream temperatures of the main stem Shavers Fork have been initiated. All of this adds up to some dynamite brook trout fishing!
In the southern part of the Monongahela National Forest of Pocahontas, Greenbrier, and Nicholas counties are the North and South Forks of the Cherry River, both of which have seen improved water quality in recent years with the addition of limestone sand to their headwater tributaries. The North Fork follows WV Route 39 east of Richwood, offering excellent angling opportunities for Brook Trout within easy access of a main highway on the Monongahela National Forest. (Native Brookies and stocked trout can be found in the same stream here) A nearly two-mile long reach from just upstream of Richwood to the first bridge on WV 39 is managed as Catch-and-Release, artificial lures only water. Other than that, the stream is under General Regulations. Again, voluntary limitation of harvest is recommended to maintain a high-quality fishery for all West Virginia anglers for generations to come.
Maybe you are starting to see that the biggest problem a trout fisherman in West Virginia is not if he can find a trout stream, but how will he choose which one to fish first. I say make a list and fish them all. Take your time, you have all year. Things are a lot different than they were in 1966.