Best Trout Fishing in West Virginia by Region
Every WVDNR trout-stocked water in the state's nine travel regions
The 2026 WVDNR stocking schedule lists 212 trout-stocked streams, rivers and lakes. Of West Virginia's nine travel regions, the Potomac Highlands region holds the most, with 69 stocked waters.
21 waters carry a catch-and-release, delayed-harvest, fly-fishing-only or reduced-creel section — listed first under each region. Fall stocking begins the third Monday of October — October 19 in 2026 — and 41 waters are on the fall list.
Regions are ranked by how many stocked waters they hold; the columns beside each show what kind. Every water links to its own page with its stocking history and WVDNR schedule — and, where a USGS gauge is nearby, current stream conditions. The exact day a water is stocked is only published after the truck runs. The code beside each water is its WVDNR stocking schedule, explained at the bottom of the page.
West Virginia's trout regions, most stocked water first
| Region | Waters | Special | Weekly | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potomac Highlands | 69 | 8 | 14 | 20 |
| New River-Greenbrier Valley | 46 | 8 | 2 | 7 |
| Mountain Lakes | 24 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Mountaineer Country | 20 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Hatfield-McCoy Mountains | 14 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Northern Panhandle | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Eastern Panhandle | 10 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Metro Valley | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mid-Ohio Valley | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Waters: stocked waters in the region. Special: waters with a catch-and-release, delayed-harvest, fly-fishing-only or reduced-creel section. Weekly: stocked every week, March through May (code W). Fall: stocked again in October (code F). Counts are of waters, not of stockings.
Potomac Highlands
69 stocked waters across 8 counties, 8 with a special-regulation section, 20 stocked again in the fall and 14 stocked weekly in spring.
Grant CountyHampshire CountyHardy CountyMineral CountyPendleton CountyPocahontas CountyRandolph CountyTucker County
Special-regulation waters
- Blackwater RiverTucker CountyStocking schedule:WFVCatch and release
- Edwards Run PondHampshire CountyStocking schedule:BWFly fishing only
- Elk RiverRandolph CountyStocking schedule:WFCatch and release
- North Branch Potomac River (Jennings Randolph Tailwaters)Mineral CountyStocking schedule:MFCatch and release
- North Fork South BranchPendleton CountyStocking schedule:WFCatch and release
- North Fork South Branch (Catch and Release)Pendleton CountyStocking schedule:VCatch and release
- Shavers ForkRandolph CountyStocking schedule:VDelayed harvest
- Williams River (delayed harvest)Pocahontas CountyStocking schedule:VDelayed harvest
Stocked again in the fall
- Blackwater RiverTucker CountyStocking schedule:WFV
- Brandywine LakePendleton CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Buffalo Fork LakePocahontas CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Elk RiverRandolph CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Knapps CreekPocahontas CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Lost RiverHardy CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- New Creek Dam No. 14Grant CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- North Branch Potomac River (Jennings Randolph Tailwaters)Mineral CountyStocking schedule:MF
- North Fork South BranchPendleton CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Pendleton LakeTucker CountyStocking schedule:MJF
- Rock Cliff LakeHardy CountyStocking schedule:BWXF
- Seneca LakePocahontas CountyStocking schedule:MF
- Shavers Fork (lower section)Randolph CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Shavers Fork (upper section)Randolph CountyStocking schedule:WF
- South Branch (Franklin)Pendleton CountyStocking schedule:WF
- South Branch (Smoke Hole)Pendleton CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Spruce Knob LakeRandolph CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Tygart River HeadwatersRandolph CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Watoga LakePocahontas CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- West Fork Greenbrier RiverPocahontas CountyStocking schedule:WF
All 69 stocked waters in the Potomac Highlands region
- Blackwater RiverTucker CountyStocking schedule:WFV
- Brandywine LakePendleton CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Brushy Fork LakePendleton CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Buckhannon River (Left/Right Fork)Randolph CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Buffalo Fork LakePocahontas CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Clover RunTucker CountyStocking schedule:M
- Cranberry River (Catch and Release)Pocahontas CountyStocking schedule:V
- Dillons RunHampshire CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Dry ForkRandolph CountyStocking schedule:BWM
- Dry Fork (Randolph)Randolph CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Dry Fork (Tucker)Tucker CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Edwards Run PondHampshire CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Elk RiverRandolph CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Elk River (Catch and Release)Randolph CountyStocking schedule:V
- Fort Ashby ReservoirMineral CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Gandy CreekRandolph CountyStocking schedule:W
- Glady ForkRandolph CountyStocking schedule:W
- Greenbrier RiverPocahontas CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Greenbrier River (Cass)Pocahontas CountyStocking schedule:M
- Greenbrier River (Durbin)Pocahontas CountyStocking schedule:V
- Greenbrier River (Marlinton)Pocahontas CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Greenbrier River (Rail Stocking)Pocahontas CountyStocking schedule:V
- Handley PondPocahontas CountyStocking schedule:Q
- Hills CreekPocahontas CountyStocking schedule:M
- Horseshoe RunTucker CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Kimsey Run LakeHardy CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Knapps CreekPocahontas CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Larenim Park LakeMineral CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Laurel ForkRandolph CountyStocking schedule:BWW
- Little River West Fork Greenbrier RiverPocahontas CountyStocking schedule:W
- Lost RiverHardy CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Mill CreekRandolph CountyStocking schedule:BWM
- Mill Creek South BranchHampshire CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Moores RunHardy CountyStocking schedule:M
- New CreekMineral CountyStocking schedule:BW
- New Creek Dam No. 14Grant CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- North Branch Potomac River (Jennings Randolph Tailwaters)Mineral CountyStocking schedule:MF
- North Fork Lunice CreekGrant CountyStocking schedule:BW
- North Fork Patterson CreekGrant CountyStocking schedule:BW
- North Fork South BranchPendleton CountyStocking schedule:WF
- North Fork South Branch (Catch and Release)Pendleton CountyStocking schedule:V
- North RiverHardy CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Pendleton LakeTucker CountyStocking schedule:MJF
- Rock Cliff LakeHardy CountyStocking schedule:BWXF
- Seneca LakePocahontas CountyStocking schedule:MF
- Shavers ForkRandolph CountyStocking schedule:V
- Shavers Fork (Bemis)Randolph CountyStocking schedule:V
- Shavers Fork (lower section)Randolph CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Shavers Fork (upper section)Randolph CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Shavers Fork rail stockingRandolph CountyStocking schedule:V
- Shavers Fork Rail Stocking (Bemis to Delayed Harvest)Randolph CountyStocking schedule:V
- Shavers Fork Rail Stocking (Bowden to Bemis)Randolph CountyStocking schedule:V
- Shavers Fork Rail Stocking (Cheat Bridge to Beaver Creek)Randolph CountyStocking schedule:V
- Shavers Fork Rail Stocking (High Falls to Delayed Harvest)Randolph CountyStocking schedule:V
- South Branch (Catch and Release)Pendleton CountyStocking schedule:V
- South Branch (Franklin)Pendleton CountyStocking schedule:WF
- South Branch (Petersburg)Grant CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- South Branch (Smoke Hole)Pendleton CountyStocking schedule:WF
- South Fork Cranberry RiverPocahontas CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- South Mill Creek LakeGrant CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Spruce Knob LakeRandolph CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Thomas Park LakeTucker CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Trout RunHardy CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Tygart River HeadwatersRandolph CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Waites RunHardy CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Warden LakeHardy CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Watoga LakePocahontas CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- West Fork Greenbrier RiverPocahontas CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Williams River (delayed harvest)Pocahontas CountyStocking schedule:V
New River-Greenbrier Valley
46 stocked waters across 8 counties, 8 with a special-regulation section, 7 stocked again in the fall and 2 stocked weekly in spring.
Fayette CountyGreenbrier CountyMcDowell CountyMercer CountyMonroe CountyRaleigh CountySummers CountyWyoming County
Special-regulation waters
- Clear Fork Guyandotte RiverWyoming CountyStocking schedule:BWDelayed harvest
- Clear Fork of Guyandotte RiverWyoming CountyStocking schedule:BWDelayed harvest
- Clear Fork of Guyandotte River (delayed harvest)Wyoming CountyStocking schedule:VDelayed harvest
- Glade Creek of New RiverRaleigh CountyStocking schedule:BWFCatch and release
- North Fork Cherry RiverGreenbrier CountyStocking schedule:BWCatch and release
- Paint CreekFayette CountyStocking schedule:BWDelayed harvest
- Second Creek (Catch and Release)Monroe CountyStocking schedule:VFly fishing only
- Upper Guyandotte RiverWyoming CountyStocking schedule:BWFCatch and release
Stocked again in the fall
- Anthony CreekGreenbrier CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Big Clear CreekGreenbrier CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Glade Creek of New RiverRaleigh CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Pinnacle CreekWyoming CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Pipestem LakeSummers CountyStocking schedule:MF
- Summit LakeGreenbrier CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Upper Guyandotte RiverWyoming CountyStocking schedule:BWF
All 46 stocked waters in the New River-Greenbrier Valley region
- Anawalt LakeMcDowell CountyStocking schedule:M
- Anthony CreekGreenbrier CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Berwind LakeMcDowell CountyStocking schedule:M
- Big Clear CreekGreenbrier CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Boley LakeFayette CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Camp CreekMercer CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Clear Fork Guyandotte RiverWyoming CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Clear Fork of Guyandotte RiverWyoming CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Clear Fork of Guyandotte River (delayed harvest)Wyoming CountyStocking schedule:V
- Clear Fork of TugMcDowell CountyStocking schedule:M
- Dry Fork (McDowell)McDowell CountyStocking schedule:M
- Dunloup CreekFayette CountyStocking schedule:M
- East RiverMercer CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Fitzpatrick LakeRaleigh CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Glade Creek of MannFayette CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Glade Creek of New RiverRaleigh CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Horse Creek LakeWyoming CountyStocking schedule:M
- Howards CreekGreenbrier CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Indian CreekSummers CountyStocking schedule:M
- James P. Bailey LakeMercer CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Jimmy Lewis LakeMercer CountyStocking schedule:M
- Laurel Creek of New RiverFayette CountyStocking schedule:M
- Laurel Fork (Wyoming)Wyoming CountyStocking schedule:Q
- Laurel Fork of Clear Fork of Guyandotte RiverWyoming CountyStocking schedule:Q
- Little Beaver LakeRaleigh CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Little Clear CreekGreenbrier CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Marsh ForkRaleigh CountyStocking schedule:M
- Mash Fork of Camp CreekMercer CountyStocking schedule:QBW
- Meadow CreekSummers CountyStocking schedule:M
- Meadow Creek of Anthony CreekSummers CountyStocking schedule:M
- Meadow Creek of New RiverSummers CountyStocking schedule:M
- Mill Creek (Fayette)Fayette CountyStocking schedule:M
- Mill Creek of New RiverFayette CountyStocking schedule:M
- North Fork Cherry RiverGreenbrier CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Paint CreekFayette CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Panther CreekMcDowell CountyStocking schedule:M
- Pinnacle CreekWyoming CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Pipestem LakeSummers CountyStocking schedule:MF
- Potts CreekMonroe CountyStocking schedule:M
- Raleigh County Airport PondRaleigh CountyStocking schedule:Q
- Rich CreekMonroe CountyStocking schedule:M
- Second Creek (Catch and Release)Monroe CountyStocking schedule:V
- South Fork Cherry RiverGreenbrier CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Summit LakeGreenbrier CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Tuckahoe LakeGreenbrier CountyStocking schedule:M
- Upper Guyandotte RiverWyoming CountyStocking schedule:BWF
Mountain Lakes
24 stocked waters across 7 counties, 3 with a special-regulation section, 6 stocked again in the fall and 2 stocked weekly in spring.
Braxton CountyClay CountyGilmer CountyLewis CountyNicholas CountyUpshur CountyWebster County
Special-regulation waters
- Back Fork of Elk RiverWebster CountyStocking schedule:MCatch and release
- Cranberry RiverWebster CountyStocking schedule:WFCatch and release
- Williams RiverWebster CountyStocking schedule:WFDelayed harvest
Stocked again in the fall
- Buckhannon RiverUpshur CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Buckhannon River (Rail Stocking)Upshur CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Cranberry RiverWebster CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Summersville TailwatersNicholas CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Sutton TailwatersBraxton CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Williams RiverWebster CountyStocking schedule:WF
All 24 stocked waters in the Mountain Lakes region
- Back Fork of Elk RiverWebster CountyStocking schedule:M
- Back Fork of Elk River (Catch and Release)Webster CountyStocking schedule:V
- Buckhannon RiverUpshur CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Buckhannon River (Rail Stocking)Upshur CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Buffalo Creek (Clay)Clay CountyStocking schedule:M
- Burnsville TailwatersBraxton CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Cedar Creek LakeGilmer CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Cherry RiverNicholas CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Cranberry RiverWebster CountyStocking schedule:WF
- French Creek PondUpshur CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Indian Rocks LakeNicholas CountyStocking schedule:M
- Laurel Creek of Cherry RiverNicholas CountyStocking schedule:M
- Left Fork Buckhannon River (rail stocking)Upshur CountyStocking schedule:V
- Left Fork of Holly RiverWebster CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Little Kanawha HeadwatersUpshur CountyStocking schedule:M
- Middle Fork RiverUpshur CountyStocking schedule:M
- Right Fork Buckhannon RiverUpshur CountyStocking schedule:M
- Right Fork Middle Fork RiverUpshur CountyStocking schedule:M
- Stonewall Jackson TailwatersLewis CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Sugar CreekWebster CountyStocking schedule:M
- Summersville TailwatersNicholas CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Sutton TailwatersBraxton CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Wallback LakeClay CountyStocking schedule:M
- Williams RiverWebster CountyStocking schedule:WF
Mountaineer Country
20 stocked waters across 6 counties and 3 stocked again in the fall.
Barbour CountyHarrison CountyMarion CountyMonongalia CountyPreston CountyTaylor County
Stocked again in the fall
- Coopers Rock LakeMonongalia CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Teter Creek LakeBarbour CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Tygart Lake TailwatersTaylor CountyStocking schedule:MF
All 20 stocked waters in the Mountaineer Country region
- Big Run LakeMarion CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Big Sandy CreekPreston CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Coopers Rock LakeMonongalia CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Curtisville LakeMarion CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Deegan LakeHarrison CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Dog Run LakeHarrison CountyStocking schedule:M
- Dog Run Lake (lower section)Harrison CountyStocking schedule:M
- Dog Run Lake (upper and lower sections)Harrison CountyStocking schedule:M
- Dog Run Lake (upper section)Harrison CountyStocking schedule:M
- Hinkle LakeHarrison CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Huey LakeMarion CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Mannington LakeMarion CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Mason LakeMonongalia CountyStocking schedule:M
- Newburg LakePreston CountyStocking schedule:M
- Paw Paw CreekMarion CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Rhine CreekPreston CountyStocking schedule:M
- Teter Creek LakeBarbour CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Tygart Lake TailwatersTaylor CountyStocking schedule:MF
- Westover Park LakeMonongalia CountyStocking schedule:Q
- Whiteday CreekMarion CountyStocking schedule:BW
Hatfield-McCoy Mountains
14 stocked waters across 4 counties and 2 stocked again in the fall.
Boone CountyLogan CountyMingo CountyWayne County
Stocked again in the fall
All 14 stocked waters in the Hatfield-McCoy Mountains region
- Beech Fork TailwatersWayne CountyStocking schedule:M
- Buffalo Creek (Logan)Logan CountyStocking schedule:M
- Chief Logan PondLogan CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- East Lynn TailwatersWayne CountyStocking schedule:M
- Hopkins ForkBoone CountyStocking schedule:M
- Laurel Fork LakeMingo CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Lick Creek PondWayne CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Logan County Airport PondLogan CountyStocking schedule:Q
- Miller Fork PondWayne CountyStocking schedule:Q
- Pond ForkBoone CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- R.D. Bailey TailwatersMingo CountyStocking schedule:BWF
- Rockhouse LakeLogan CountyStocking schedule:M
- Spruce Laurel ForkBoone CountyStocking schedule:M
- West Fork Twelvepole CreekWayne CountyStocking schedule:M
Northern Panhandle
13 stocked waters across 6 counties, 1 with a special-regulation section and 1 stocked again in the fall.
Brooke CountyHancock CountyMarshall CountyOhio CountyTyler CountyWetzel County
Special-regulation waters
- Middle Wheeling Creek (delayed harvest)Ohio CountyStocking schedule:VDelayed harvest
Stocked again in the fall
- Wheeling CreekMarshall CountyStocking schedule:BWF
All 13 stocked waters in the Northern Panhandle region
- Baker LakeOhio CountyStocking schedule:Q
- Bear Rocks LakeOhio CountyStocking schedule:BWstocking may be suspended in 2026
- Buffalo CreekBrooke CountyStocking schedule:BWM
- Castleman Run LakeOhio CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Conaway Run LakeTyler CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Kings CreekHancock CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Middle Wheeling Creek (delayed harvest)Ohio CountyStocking schedule:V
- Middle Wheeling LakeOhio CountyStocking schedule:BW
- North Fork Fishing CreekWetzel CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- South Fork Fishing CreekWetzel CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Tomlinson RunHancock CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Tomlinson Run LakeHancock CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Wheeling CreekMarshall CountyStocking schedule:BWF
Eastern Panhandle
10 stocked waters across 3 counties, 2 stocked again in the fall and 2 stocked weekly in spring.
Berkeley CountyJefferson CountyMorgan County
Stocked again in the fall
- Cacapon Park LakesMorgan CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Opequon CreekBerkeley CountyStocking schedule:WF
All 10 stocked waters in the Eastern Panhandle region
- Bullskin RunJefferson CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Cacapon Park LakesMorgan CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Evitts RunJefferson CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Middle CreekBerkeley CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Mill Creek (Berkeley)Berkeley CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Opequon CreekBerkeley CountyStocking schedule:WF
- Poorhouse PondBerkeley CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Rocky Marsh RunJefferson CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Tilhance CreekBerkeley CountyStocking schedule:BW
- Tuscarora CreekBerkeley CountyStocking schedule:BW
Metro Valley
9 stocked waters across 4 counties and 1 with a special-regulation section.
Cabell CountyKanawha CountyMason CountyPutnam County
Special-regulation waters
- Paint Creek (delayed harvest)Kanawha CountyStocking schedule:VDelayed harvest
All 9 stocked waters in the Metro Valley region
- Barboursville LakeCabell CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Coonskin Park LakeKanawha CountyStocking schedule:Q
- Davis CreekKanawha CountyStocking schedule:Q
- Hurricane ReservoirPutnam CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Krodel LakeMason CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Paint Creek (Catch and Release)Kanawha CountyStocking schedule:V
- Paint Creek (delayed harvest)Kanawha CountyStocking schedule:V
- Ridenour LakeKanawha CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Underwood LakeCabell CountyStocking schedule:Q
Mid-Ohio Valley
7 stocked waters across 4 counties.
Jackson CountyRitchie CountyRoane CountyWood County
All 7 stocked waters in the Mid-Ohio Valley region
- Miletree LakeRoane CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Mountwood Park LakeWood CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- North Bend TailwatersRitchie CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Pennsboro ReservoirRitchie CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Rollins LakeJackson CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Tracy LakeRitchie CountyStocking schedule:MJ
- Turkey Run LakeJackson CountyStocking schedule:MJstocking may be suspended in 2026
What the stocking codes mean
The codes beside each water above are its 2026 WVDNR stocking schedule.
- Q — one stocking, first week of March
- BW — two stockings each month, February through April
- W — one stocking each week, March through May
- M — one stocking each month, February through May
- MJ — one stocking each month, January through April
- X — stocked after April 1 or once the area is open to the public
- F — one stocking each week for two weeks beginning the third Monday of October
- V — stocking frequency varies
A water can carry more than one code. One marked BW and F is stocked twice a month from February through April and again for two weeks in October. See the full 2026 stocking schedule →
Every stocked water by county →Current stream conditions →Open the stocking map →
Which waters are stocked, how often, and which carry special regulations is summarised from the 2026 West Virginia Fishing Regulations Summary and can change during the season; the West Virginia Code and current WVDNR regulations control — check wvdnr.gov/fishing-regulations before fishing. Regions are West Virginia's nine official travel regions; a water is placed by its county.