WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – Tuesday, March 29, 2022 kicks off the fifth annual West Virginia Gold Rush, during which the prized golden rainbow trout, indigenous to the Mountain State, will be stocked statewide by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
The golden rainbow trout is highly sought after by angling enthusiasts, with its brightly colored body – from which it takes its name – acting as incentive for enthusiasts around the country to take to the West Virginia hills each Spring in hopes of claiming one of the elusive creatures.
This year, over the course of 12 days (March 29 – April 9,) 62 lakes and streams will be systematically stocked with 50,000 golden rainbow trout, providing fishermen with a rare opportunity to hook one of their very own.
In commemoration of the West Virginia Gold Rush’s fifth year, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has announced The 2022 Gold Rush Giveaway through an website statement which reads,
“We’re making every cast count. Of the 50,000 golden trout stocked for Gold Rush, 100 fish will have specially marked, numbered tags. If you are a lucky angler who reels in a catch with a numbered tag, you can enter to win one of four prizes.”
The four prizes offered include,
– a West Virginia lifetime fishing license, available to five lucky winners
– a one-night stay in a cabin at a West Virginia forest or state park
– a $25 gift card to West Virginia state parks
– exclusive Gold Rush merchandise, including t-shirts, sticker, and patches)
In addition to chances to win special prizes, those who take to the water and are lucky enough to reel in a rainbow trout can request a free 2022 Gold Rush commemorative coin.
Furthermore, West Virginia state park locations are offering discounted lodge room and cabin lodging for stays booked online between March 23 and April 30. This discount is obtained by using the offer code GOLD at checkout. Special lodging discounts are also being offered for stays at Clarksburg’s Hilton Garden Inn with the use of offer code GOLD at checkout.
Customarily, a fishing license, as well as a valid form of identification, is required for participants ages 15 or older to partake in the search for the coveted golden rainbow trout. As a West Virginia fishing license is valid through the entire calendar year, purchase at or near the beginning of the year is recommended.
West Virginia hatcheries are essential in maintaining the state’s stock of underwater life such as the golden rainbow trout. These facilities are open to the public daily, with tours being offered at the Reeds Creek and Petersburg hatchery locations.
Included below is a list of locations at which the golden rainbow trout will be stocked over the next two weeks,
Week 1 (39 Waters)
– Anawalt Lake
– Barboursville Lake
– Bear Rocks Lake
– Berwind Lake
– Blackwater Lake
– Boley Lake (Babcock State Park)
– Brandywine Lake
– Buffalo Fork Lake
– Burnsville Tailwaters
– Cacapon Lake (Cacapon State Park)
– Cedar Creek Lake (Cedar Creek State Park)
– Cranberry River
– Deegan Lake
– Edward Run Pond
– Elk River
– Fort Ashby Reservoir
– Greenbrier River (At Durbin)
– Hinkle Lake
– Kimsey Run Lake
– Longbranch Lake (Pipestem State Park)
– Mountwood
– North Bend Lake (Tailwaters) (North Bend State Park)
– North Fork of South Branch
– North River
– Opequon Creek
– Pendleton Lake (Blackwater Falls State Park)
– Rockhouse Lake
– Seneca Lake (Seneca State Forest)
– Shavers Fork (Lower)
– South Mill Creek Lake
– Stonewall Jackson Tailwaters (Stonewall Resort State Park)
– Summit Lake
– Sutton Tailwaters
– Thomas Park Lake
– Tygart Tailwaters (Tygart Lake State Park)
– Warden Lake
– Watoga Lake (Watoga State Park)
– Wheeling Creek
– Williams River
Week 2 (23 Waters)
– Castlemans Run Lake
– Chief Logan Pond (Chief Logan State Park)
– Coopers Rocks Lake (Coopers Rocks State Forest)
– Curtisville Lake
– French Creek Pond
– Greenbrier River (Cass State Park)
– Little Beaver Lake (Little Beaver State Park)
– Mason Lake
– Middle Wheeling Creek Lake
– Mill Creek Reservoir
– New Creek Lake
– Poorhouse Pond
– R.D. Bailey Tailwaters
– Rock Cliff Lake
– Rollins Lake
– Shavers Fork (Upper)
– South Branch (Franklin)
– South Branch (Smoke Hold)
– Spruce Knob Lake
– Teter Creek Lake
– Tomlinson Run Lake (Tomlinson Run State Park)
– Tuckahoe Lake
– Wallback Lake
