Trout Fishing in West Virginia

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In West Virginia

One area in West Virginia with a significant popullation of trout is the tailwaters of Summerville Lake. Other smaller lakes, ponds, park and rivers may have trout - typically a result of trout stocking programs. Visit the West Virginia West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website for information regarding trout stocking programs in West Virginia.

The West Virginia state record brook trout came out of the Cheat River and South Branch produced the WV state record brown trout. The state record golden trout was pulled from Brushy Fork Lake and the WV state record rainbow trout was served up by Stonecoal Lake. The West Virginia tiger trout was caught from the Greenbrier River.

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

Organizations & Resources

Cutthroat Trout Conservation
DMOZ Trout Section

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The states list to the left can direct you to information about trout fishing in other states.

All About Fishing for Trout in West Virginia.

42 lbs - 2 oz

11 lbs - 12 oz

52 - 68 Degrees

Prefers generally clear flowing waters with turbulence for oxygenation over gravel, rock or sandy bottoms.

14 lbs - 8 oz

7 lbs - 6 oz

52 to 64 Degrees

Prefers clear cold water with moderate current over gravel, rocks or sand.

41 lbs - 7 oz

16 lbs - 0 oz

56 - 64 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained cool water with minimum current over rock or sandy bottoms with heavy cover.