The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has announced the return of Gold Rush stockings at 69 lakes and streams around the state starting April 1.
“As we celebrate the eighth anniversary of the Gold Rush, we look forward to seeing all of the ways this exciting event helps recruit the next generation of anglers and helps us keep West Virginia’s outdoor traditions alive and well for years to come,” said Brett McMillion, WVDNR director.
From April 1-12, the WVDNR will stock more than 50,000 golden rainbow trout at 69 lakes and streams around the state, including waters in or near 15 state parks and forests. Of these fish, 100 will receive a numbered yellow tag. If an angler catches a golden trout with one of these tags, they can enter the tag number online for a chance to win one of the following prizes: free resident West Virginia Lifetime Fishing License (one winner); one-night West Virginia State Park Lodge Stay (five winners); or $25 West Virginia State Parks Gift Card (five winners).
All anglers with a valid fishing license and trout stamp who report their tagged catch during the event also will be eligible to receive a gift bag. All other prizes will be awarded by random drawing.
Stocking locations for April 1 to 5 are Anawalt Lake, Barboursville Lake, Bear Rocks Lake, Berwind Lake, Blackwater River, Brandywine Lake, Buffalo Fork Lake, Cacapon Lake (state park), Cedar Creek Lake (state park), Conway Run Lake, Cranberry River, Curtisville Lake, Deegan Lake, Dog Run Lake, East Lynn Tailwaters, Edward Run Pond, Fort Ashby Reservoir, Greenbrier River (at Durbin), Hinkle Lake, Kimsey Run Lake, Larenim Park Lakes, Longbranch Lake (Pipestem State Park), Mill Creek Reservoir, New Creek Lake, North Fork of South Branch, North River, Ridenour Lake, Rockhouse Lake, Seneca Lake (state forest), South Branch (Smoke Hole), Summit Lake, Tygart Tailwaters (state park), Wallback Lake, Warden Lake, Watoga Lake (state park), Wheeling Creek and Williams River.
From April 8 to 12, stocking will take place at Boley Lake (Babcock State Park), Burnsville Tailwaters, Castlemans Run Lake, Chief Logan Pond (state park), Coopers Rocks Lake (state forest), Elk River, French Creek Pond, Greenbrier River (Cass State Park), Hurricane Reservoir, Laurel Fork Lake, Little Beaver Lake (state park), Mason Lake, Middle Wheeling Creek Lake, Mountwood, North Bend Lake Tailwaters (state park), Opequon Creek, Pendleton Lake (Blackwater Falls State Park), Poorhouse Pond, R.D. Bailey Tailwaters, Rock Cliff Lake, Rollins Lake, Shavers Fork (lower), Shavers Fork (upper), South Branch (Franklin), South Mill Creek Lake, Spruce Knob Lake, Stonewall Jackson Tailwaters (state park), Sutton Tailwaters, Teter Creek Lake, Thomas Park Lake, Tomlinson Run Lake (state park) and Tuckahoe Lake.
All anglers 15 and older must have a West Virginia fishing license with a current trout stamp and a valid form of identification while fishing during Gold Rush. Licenses and stamps can be purchased online at WVfish.com. Anglers are also reminded to follow West Virginia’s fishing regulations, available to download at WVdnr.gov/fishing-regulations.
To learn more about Gold Rush giveaways and stocking locations, visit WVdnr.gov/goldrush.