Guide To Great Trout Fishing Locations In West Virginia

All about fishing for rainbow, brook and brown trout in local lakes and streams.

Trout Lakes In The State
Available Trout Species
Top Trout Lures & Flies

Trout Waters

Lakes with trout populations (typically stocked trout) include Cheat Lake, East Lynn Lake, Jennings Randolph Lake, Summersville Lake, and occasionally Bluestone Lake. Another area in WV with a significant population of trout is the tailwaters of Summersville Lake. Other lakes, ponds, parks and rivers may also have trout - typically a result of trout stocking.

Trout Species In The State

Rainbow trout

World record: 42 lbs 2 oz

State Record: 19.4 lbs

Brook trout

World record: 14 lbs 8 oz

State Record: 7.64 lbs

Brown trout

World record: 40 lbs 4 oz

State Record: 16.0 lbs

Golden trout

World record: 11 lbs 4 oz

State Record: 9.31 lbs

Click the images and links above for species details.

Select the best trout lures and baits

Trout spinners, crankbaits and jerkbaits work well for shallow, reasonably active fish. Salmon eggs, worms and prepared baits will work at virtually all depths.

West Virginia State Record Trout

The state record rainbow trout was caught from a pond.

The state record brook trout was taken out of Shavers Fork.

The state record brown trout came from South Branch.

The state record golden trout was taken out of Brushy Fork Lake.

The state record tiger trout, 10.65 lbs, was caught in the Krodel Lake.

Brown Trout — Brown trout being released.

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Browns are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts.

Visit the West Virginia West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website for information regarding trout stocking programs in West Virginia.

Watch trout fishing videos to see trout anglers in action.

Additional trout information

Trout Conservation
Trout Unlimited

Trout locations and info, by state.

The habits of trout.

Trout are considered some of the most difficult fish to fool. Once you locate West Virginia waters with a population of trout, the challenge becomes identifying trout flies and lures that will trigger strikes. Visit the trout fishing page to learn more about the habitat each of the trouts prefer.