53 public waters in the Metro Valley & Southern Coalfields region — 9 lakes/reservoirs and 44 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a West Virginia licence.
See every public fishing venue in West Virginia on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
In Kanawha County, West Virginia, Ridenour Lake is a 23-acre lake, managed by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (public fishing lake). A West Virginia stocked-Trout lake or pond — rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and Brook Trout stocked on a winter-into-spring rotation (checked live on the WVDNR stocking report), with resident Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Channel Catfish the rest of the year. A Trout stamp is required.
In Kanawha County, West-Virginia, Lake Chaweva is a 22-acre lake, managed by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (public fishing lake). Public lakes across the Southeast typically hold largemouth and other black bass species, bream (bluegill and redear/shellcracker sunfish), black and white crappie, and blue, channel and flathead catfish -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Anderson Lake, a 5-acre lake in Kanawha County, West Virginia, managed by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (public fishing lake): A West Virginia stocked-Trout lake or pond — rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and Brook Trout stocked on a winter-into-spring rotation (checked live on the WVDNR stocking report), with resident Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Channel Catfish the rest of the year. A Trout stamp is required.
In Kanawha County, West Virginia, Pettigrew Lake is a 5-acre lake, managed by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (public fishing lake). A West Virginia Division of Natural Resources small lake or state-park lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, with Rainbow Trout stocked into many of them October to May. Managed for bank and small-boat access; most are electric-motor-only.
Elk Twomile Creek (Site 13) Lake, a 3-acre lake in Kanawha County, West Virginia, managed by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (public fishing lake): A West Virginia Division of Natural Resources small lake or state-park lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, with Rainbow Trout stocked into many of them October to May. Managed for bank and small-boat access; most are electric-motor-only.
Elk Twomile Creek (Site 14) Lake, a 3-acre lake in Kanawha County, West Virginia, managed by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (public fishing lake): A West Virginia Division of Natural Resources small lake or state-park lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, with Rainbow Trout stocked into many of them October to May. Managed for bank and small-boat access; most are electric-motor-only.
Coonskin Park Pond, a 2-acre lake in Kanawha County, West Virginia, managed by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (public fishing lake): A West Virginia stocked-Trout lake or pond — rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and Brook Trout stocked on a winter-into-spring rotation (checked live on the WVDNR stocking report), with resident Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Channel Catfish the rest of the year. A Trout stamp is required.
Kanawha County, West Virginia — Elk Twomile Creek (Site 12) Lake is a 2-acre lake, managed by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (public fishing lake): A West Virginia Division of Natural Resources small lake or state-park lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, with Rainbow Trout stocked into many of them October to May. Managed for bank and small-boat access; most are electric-motor-only.
Kanawha County, West Virginia — Kanawha State Forest Pond is a 2-acre lake, managed by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (public fishing lake): A West Virginia stocked-Trout lake or pond — rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and Brook Trout stocked on a winter-into-spring rotation (checked live on the WVDNR stocking report), with resident Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Channel Catfish the rest of the year. A Trout stamp is required.
The Elk River — the upper river above Webster Springs (and the Back Fork) is a wild and stocked Trout stream with a famous catch-and-release section; from Sutton Dam down it's a cold tailwater Trout fishery, then a smallmouth-bass, musky and channel-Catfish river by the time it reaches Charleston.
Kanawha River (155 km) flows through Kanawha, Putnam, Mason and 1 more county in West Virginia. The Kanawha River — West Virginia's largest river by flow, running past Charleston through a series of lock-and-dam pools. Largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, a good Sauger and hybrid-striped-bass fishery, White Bass, Crappie, and blue, channel and Flathead Catfish. The recovery from decades of industrial pollution has been dramatic.
Kanawha, Roane and Putnam Counties, West Virginia — Pocatalico River is a 116 km stream: A warmwater West Virginia river (the Guyandotte, Coal, Mud, Twelvepole Creek, Tug Fork, Pocatalico, Bluestone, Pond Fork) — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Muskellunge on several, and Sauger in the lower reaches. Wade, paddle or fish from the bank at WVDNR access sites and bridges.
In Boone, Kanawha and Raleigh Counties, West Virginia, Big Coal River is a 64 km river or creek. A warmwater West Virginia river (the Guyandotte, Coal, Mud, Twelvepole Creek, Tug Fork, Pocatalico, Bluestone, Pond Fork) — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Muskellunge on several, and Sauger in the lower reaches. Wade, paddle or fish from the bank at WVDNR access sites and bridges.
Paint Creek runs 57 km through Fayette, Kanawha and Raleigh Counties, West Virginia: A West Virginia stocked Trout stream — rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and Brook Trout stocked from the WVDNR hatcheries (Edray, Bowden, Petersburg, Reeds Creek, Ridge) between January/February and May. Brook Trout ('natives'/'brookies') are the state fish and the only Trout native to the state. A Trout stamp is required to fish or possess Trout.
In Boone, Lincoln and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia, Little Coal River is a 44 km river or creek. A warmwater West Virginia river (the Guyandotte, Coal, Mud, Twelvepole Creek, Tug Fork, Pocatalico, Bluestone, Pond Fork) — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Muskellunge on several, and Sauger in the lower reaches. Wade, paddle or fish from the bank at WVDNR access sites and bridges.
Big Sandy Creek runs 41 km through Roane and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia: A West Virginia stocked Trout stream — rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and Brook Trout stocked from the WVDNR hatcheries (Edray, Bowden, Petersburg, Reeds Creek, Ridge) between January/February and May. Brook Trout ('natives'/'brookies') are the state fish and the only Trout native to the state. A Trout stamp is required to fish or possess Trout.
Kanawha and Fayette Counties, West Virginia — Cabin Creek is a 30 km stream: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
In Kanawha and Roane Counties, West Virginia, Little Sandy Creek is a 14 km river or creek. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Coal River (30 km) flows through Kanawha and Lincoln Counties, West Virginia. A warmwater West Virginia river (the Guyandotte, Coal, Mud, Twelvepole Creek, Tug Fork, Pocatalico, Bluestone, Pond Fork) — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Muskellunge on several, and Sauger in the lower reaches. Wade, paddle or fish from the bank at WVDNR access sites and bridges.
In Kanawha County, West Virginia, Blue Creek is a 22 km river or creek. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Falling Rock Creek (21 km) flows through Kanawha and Clay Counties, West Virginia. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Jackson and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia — Middle Fork is a 15 km stream: A West Virginia stocked Trout stream — rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and Brook Trout stocked from the WVDNR hatcheries (Edray, Bowden, Petersburg, Reeds Creek, Ridge) between January/February and May. Brook Trout ('natives'/'brookies') are the state fish and the only Trout native to the state. A Trout stamp is required to fish or possess Trout.
Campbells Creek runs 19 km through Kanawha County, West Virginia: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Davis Creek (3 km) flows through Kanawha County, West Virginia. A West Virginia stocked Trout stream — rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and Brook Trout stocked from the WVDNR hatcheries (Edray, Bowden, Petersburg, Reeds Creek, Ridge) between January/February and May. Brook Trout ('natives'/'brookies') are the state fish and the only Trout native to the state. A Trout stamp is required to fish or possess Trout.
In Jackson and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia, Pocatalico Creek is a 15 km river or creek. A warmwater West Virginia river (the Guyandotte, Coal, Mud, Twelvepole Creek, Tug Fork, Pocatalico, Bluestone, Pond Fork) — largemouth, smallmouth and Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Muskellunge on several, and Sauger in the lower reaches. Wade, paddle or fish from the bank at WVDNR access sites and bridges.
Kanawha County, West Virginia — Mill Creek is a 0 km stream: A West Virginia stocked Trout stream — rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and Brook Trout stocked from the WVDNR hatcheries (Edray, Bowden, Petersburg, Reeds Creek, Ridge) between January/February and May. Brook Trout ('natives'/'brookies') are the state fish and the only Trout native to the state. A Trout stamp is required to fish or possess Trout.
Brier Creek runs 10 km through Kanawha and Boone Counties, West Virginia: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
In Kanawha County, West Virginia, Wills Creek is a 13 km river or creek. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Allen Fork runs 10 km through Kanawha and Jackson Counties, West Virginia: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Bells Creek runs 11 km through Kanawha, Fayette, Nicholas and 1 more county in West Virginia: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Kanawha County, West Virginia — Elk Twomile Creek is a 11 km stream: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Witcher Creek (11 km) flows through Kanawha County, West Virginia. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Left Hand Creek (11 km) flows through Roane and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Kellys Creek runs 12 km through Kanawha County, West Virginia: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Jackson, Kanawha and Putnam Counties, West Virginia — Dog Fork is a 7 km stream: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
In Kanawha County, West Virginia, Middle Fork Blue Creek is a 10 km river or creek. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Kanawha County, West Virginia — Frog Creek is a 12 km stream: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Rocky Fork (9 km) flows through Kanawha County, West Virginia. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
In Kanawha County, West Virginia, Martin Branch is a 10 km river or creek. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Kanawha and Boone Counties, West Virginia — Fields Creek is a 8 km stream: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
In Kanawha County, West Virginia, Tupper Creek is a 10 km river or creek. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Lens Creek (2 km) flows through Kanawha County, West Virginia. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
In Kanawha County, West Virginia, Grapevine Creek is a 9 km river or creek. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Morris Fork (10 km) flows through Kanawha County, West Virginia. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Green Creek (8 km) flows through Roane and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Joes Creek (9 km) flows through Boone and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Kanawha County, West Virginia — Slaughter Creek is a 4 km stream: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
In Kanawha County, West Virginia, Hughes Creek is a 9 km river or creek. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Aarons Fork (8 km) flows through Kanawha County, West Virginia. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Smithers Creek runs 8 km through Fayette and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Boone and Kanawha Counties, West Virginia — Lick Creek is a 7 km stream: A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
In Kanawha County, West Virginia, Smith Creek is a 7 km river or creek. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Twomile Creek (7 km) flows through Kanawha County, West Virginia. A West Virginia smallmouth river (the South Branch Potomac, Cacapon, Greenbrier, Elk, Tygart Valley, Buckhannon, West Fork, Little Kanawha, Middle Island Creek) — Smallmouth Bass on the ledges and grass, Rock Bass ('redeye'), Redbreast Sunfish, Channel Catfish, and Muskellunge and Walleye on the bigger rivers. Classic float-and-wade bronzeback water.
Across its mapped waters, Kanawha County holds 20 species on PiscaMaps, including Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Muskellunge, Walleye, Redbreast Sunfish and Largemouth Bass.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the West Virginia map Join PiscaMapsOne West Virginia Division of Natural Resources fishing licence covers every public water in the state — resident annual about $19, non-resident annual about $37, with short-term non-resident options. A ~$12 trout stamp (resident and non-resident, including licence-exempt seniors and youths) is required to fish for or keep trout anywhere, plus a ~$3 National Forest stamp on Monongahela National Forest waters. West Virginia residents 65 and older who were residents before turning 65 are licence-exempt but still need the stamps. Buy at wvdnr.gov or ‘Go Wild’.