West Virginia Fishing News

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the recreational boating season for West Virginia and surrounding states. West Virginia has been consistently one of the leading states in boating fatalities per registered boaters. Already this year West Virginia has had four boating fatalities. Three of the four deaths were related to alcohol.

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Visitors and anglers fishing at 11 areas within the state parks system are more likely to catch a catfish this summer thanks to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ stocking of catchable-size channel catfish in parks waters.

National Trails Day® is Saturday, June 4, and anyone who hikes or walks is invited to visit a West Virginia state park or forest and be part of the American Hiking Society’s annual celebration. The society organizes and promotes hiking as a healthy outdoor activity and a way to celebrate the many benefits that trails provide the public when used.

PIPESTEM, W.Va. – Garlic mustard is one of the most invasive plant species in West Virginia and various groups have organized “pulls” to help discourage its spread on public land. For example, Pipestem State Park’s Garlic Mustard Pull was conducted April 22. The event, sponsored by the National Park Service, was led by NPS Ranger Richard Altare as part of the New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend.

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section (DNR) will hold its next training for the Archery in the Schools (AIS) Program August 2 and 3 at Pipestem Resort State Park, according to Scott Warner, DNR’s AIS Program Coordinator.

HINTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources reports that 46-year old Jeffrey Allen Acord of Sandstone, West Virginia, was charged with and pled guilty to three counts of negligent homicide in connection with the drowning of three people in a boating incident on the New River April 3, 2011. Following an investigation by Natural Resources Police Officer Jason B. Hudson, Acord was arrested and arraigned before Magistrate Jack Hellems in Hinton.

ELKINS, W.Va. – The following waters were stocked with trout the week of April 25, 2011.

Anthony Creek
Bear Rocks Lake
Blackwater River
Brandywine Lake
Brushy Fork Lake
Buckhannon River
Buffalo Creek (Logan)

ELKINS, W.Va. – The following waters were stocked with trout the week of April 18, 2011.

Anawalt Lake
Anthony Creek
Big Clear Creek
Big Sandy Creek
Blackwater River
Boley Lake
Buckhannon River (Railroad)

ELKINS, W.Va. – The following waters were stocked with trout the week of April 11, 2011.

Anthony Creek
Back Fork of Elk River
Bear Rocks Lake
Blackwater River
Brandywine Lake
Brushy Fork Lake

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Resident hunters and anglers who reach 65 years of age on or after January 1, 2012, will need to purchase the new Class XS Senior Sportsman’s Lifetime License to hunt, fish or trap in the state, according to Frank Jezioro, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The West Virginia Legislature has established the new lifetime license to permit the DNR to capture more federal revenue for its fish and wildlife management programs.