The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has announced the winners of the 2025 West Virginia Gold Rush giveaway. The event was held April 1 – 12.
This year marked the Gold Rush’s eighth year, continuing a popular spring tradition that celebrates the state’s golden rainbow trout and encourages families and anglers of all ages to enjoy West Virginia’s outstanding fishing opportunities.
“We want to congratulate our winners and thank every angler who participated in this year’s Gold Rush,” said Brett McMillion, WVDNR director. “Stocking events like Gold Rush not only bring people together in the outdoors, they also help us protect and promote West Virginia’s world-class trout fisheries for future generations.”
Out of the 50,000 golden rainbow trout stocked in 69 lakes and streams during Gold Rush, 100 received a numbered yellow tag. Eligible anglers who caught a golden trout with one of these tags and reported the tag number to the WVDNR were entered into a random drawing for a West Virginia resident lifetime fishing license, one-night stay in a state park lodge, and a $25 state park gift card.
Stephen Miller of Franklin was one of the lucky winners. He won a one-night stay at a state park lodge.
Other winners were resident lifetime fishing license – Mark Reed of Hinton; one-night stay at a state park lodge – Jeff Chisler of Fair, Cassandra Cutlip of Princeton, Derrick Fox of Berkeley Springs and Kevin Snyder of Moundsville; and state park gift card – John Bruckey of New Creek, Aaron Hamilton of Dunmore, Michael Sayre of Hometown, Barbara Vanatta of Rushville, Ohio, and Teddy Workman of Holden.
For more information about trout stocking locations, anglers should check pages 6-7 in the 2025 Fishing Regulations Summary, available to download at WVdnr.gov/fishing-regulations.
All anglers 15 years and older are required to have a West Virginia fishing license and a valid form of identification while fishing in the state of West Virginia. Trout stamps are required for those fishing for trout. Anglers are also encouraged to upgrade their fishing experience by opting for a collectible license card. Licenses and stamps may be purchased online at WVfish.com.
