DNR to Stock Over 40,000 Pound of Trophy and Monster Size Trout

The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources will stock 35,000 pounds of trophy-size trout and 6,500 pounds of monster trout which will include Braxton County streams. Gov. Jim Justice announced last week that the DNR will begin fall trout stockings during the weeks of Oct. 16 and Oct. 23. The state’s second annual Monster Trout Contest will also return during the same time.
During these two weeks, the WVDNR will stock more than 40,000 pounds of trophy-size and monster trout at 43 lakes and streams around the state. Of that total, 35,000 pounds of trout weighing 1-2 pounds and 6,500 pounds of monster trout weighing 3-6 pounds will be stocked. Out of the monster trout, five fish will have a tag that can be redeemed for a grand prize.
Local streams that will be stocked include Elk River and the Sutton Dam tailwaters.
“This is one of the best announcements of the year as we stock our lakes and streams, and we have created an exciting element by adding the Monster Trout Contest,” Gov. Justice said. “This also provides an excellent opportunity for all of our anglers to catch fish and potentially win some great, great prizes. So, gear up and get out there during this amazing time of year.”
Anglers who catch one of the five tagged fish and submit a photo with the tag number will be eligible to win a weekend cabin stay at a West Virginia State Park or a Cabela’s prize package. Entries must be submitted by Friday, November 17.
“We’re excited to bring back our Monster Trout Contest for a second year and continue to provide anglers and their families some of the best fishing experiences in the country,” Brett McMillion, director of the WVDNR, said. “These stockings will go by quickly, but anglers should expect ideal trout fishing conditions to continue for several weeks, especially in larger streams and lakes where trout have more room to disperse.”
Lakes and streams scheduled to receive a fall trout stocking during the weeks of Oct. 16 and Oct. 23 are listed below. Each water will be stocked once each week for a total of two stockings. In addition to Braxton County three following will receive trout: Anthony Creek, Big Clear Creek, Blackwater River, Brandywine Lake, Buckhannon River, Buffalo Fork Lake, Cacapon State Park Lakes, Coopers Rock Lake, Cranberry River, Evitts Run, Glade Creek of Man, Glade Creek of New, Jennings Randolph Tailwaters, Knapps Creek, Lost River, New Creek Dam No. 14, North Fork South Branch, Opequon Creek, Pendleton Lake, Pinnacle Creek, Pipestem, Pond Fork, R.D. Bailey Tailwaters, Rock Cliff Lake, Seneca Lake, Shavers Fork (Bemis, Lower and Upper), South Branch (Franklin & Smoke Hole), Spruce Knob Lake, Summersville Tailwaters, Summit Lake, Teter Creek Lake, Tygart River (Headwaters and Tailwaters), Upper Guyandotte River, Watoga Lake, West Fork Greenbrier, Wheeling Creek and Williams River.
In November and December, the WVDNR will also stock trout on the Elk River in Webster County as part of a pilot program to evaluate the economic impact of trout stocking in the area. Stockings, which will occur at the usual stocking locations, will include 750 rainbow trout each month for a total of 1,500 addi-tional trout stocked in the Elk River.