WV · WVDNR
West Virginia fishing regulations.
- Landlocked
- 7 popular species
West Virginia is a trout sleeper — Allegheny rivers like the Cranberry, Elk, and Shavers Fork are real backcountry fisheries with native brook trout in the headwaters and stocked rainbows below.
Fishing regulations change every season. This page is a summary maintained by Bield — bag limits, exact dates, and species-specific rules must be verified with WVDNR before each trip.
License requirements
Anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid fishing license to fish in West Virginia. Resident and non-resident licenses are sold online through the WVDNR and at most sporting goods retailers. Annual, multi-day, and lifetime licenses are typically available. Senior, military, and youth discounts apply in most cases. A trout stamp is required to fish for trout. License costs and exact age thresholds change — verify with the WVDNR before purchase.
Freshwater seasons and limits
Trout (rainbow, brown, brook, golden) across stocked streams and lakes. Largemouth and smallmouth bass plus walleye and muskellunge in the lakes and rivers. Year-round seasons with trout-specific rules.
River and stream regulations
The Cranberry, Elk, Shavers Fork, and North Fork South Branch Potomac are the marquee trout rivers. Smallmouth on the New, Greenbrier, and South Branch Potomac. Muskie fishing on the Elk and Little Kanawha. Native brook trout in headwater streams.
Special regulations
Catch-and-release-only sections on the Cranberry and Elk. Native brook trout streams have specific protections. Trout stamp required for trout fishing.
Popular species
- Rainbow trout
- Brown trout
- Brook trout
- Smallmouth bass
- Largemouth bass
- Muskellunge
- Walleye
West Virginia hatch calendars
Bield Fish maintains month-by-month hatch calendars for 4 rivers in West Virginia.
Official source · WVDNR
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
This page is a regulatory summary maintained by Bield — not the official rulebook. Verify season dates, bag limits, and special regulations with the agency above before each trip.
Bield Fish keeps West Virginia regulations at your fingertips.
Set your state once and Bield calibrates season phases, license reminders, and species-specific limits in your catch log.