West Virginia’s fall trout stocking is under way, with a pink-tagged trout worth a lifetime license

West Virginia’s fall trout stocking started this week. The Division of Natural Resources announced Monday, Oct. 19, that it will put about 40,000 pounds of trout into nearly 40 lakes and streams during the weeks of Oct. 19 and Oct. 26. Each listed water gets one stocking per week, so two in all. The full list is on pages 6 and 7 of the 2026 Fishing Regulations Summary at WVdnr.gov. “Fall stocking is a great time to fish for trout,” WVDNR Director Brett McMillion said, pointing to the fall color peaking across the state.

There is also a prize in the mix. West Virginia Explorer reports that, through the Governor’s Tagging Contest, one trout with a pink tag will be released into state waters. The angler who catches it and reports it using the instructions printed on the tag gets a lifetime fishing license. WVDNR is asking anglers to check their fish for the tag.

The fall list includes mountain streams, public lakes and tailwaters below dams. The outlet names some of the designated waters: the Blackwater River in Tucker County, Shavers Fork in Randolph County, the Cranberry and Williams rivers, Glade Creek of the New River in Raleigh County, the Summersville and Sutton lake tailwaters, Anthony Creek and Big Clear Creek in Greenbrier County, the Buckhannon River and Spruce Knob Lake. Anglers 15 and older generally need a fishing license and trout stamp, with some exemptions. Both are sold at WVFish.com and about 160 retail outlets.

Photo: Malichi Brooks, via West Virginia Explorer.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: WTAP — WVDNR to stock 40 state waters during fall trout season (Isabelle Poling, Oct. 19, 2026). Tagged-trout contest and stocked waters: West Virginia Explorer — West Virginia stocking 40,000 pounds of trout in lakes, streams this fall (Oct. 19, 2026).