West Virginia Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ Catch-and-release black bass waters: New River (I-64 Sandstone to Grandview), South Branch Potomac (2 sections); Dunkard Fork, Edwards Run, Kimsey Run, Millers Fork, Rockhouse, Tuckahoe, Upper Mud lakes.
- ⚠ Stonewall Jackson Lake: 1 black bass 18 in or longer per day (tournaments excluded).
- ⚠ New River: black bass 14-22 in must be released; creel 6.
- ⚠ Barboursville, Beech Fork, Chief Logan, Conaway Run lakes + Wheeling Creek + Ohio River: bass under 12 in released.
- ⚠ Jennings Randolph Lake: follows Maryland regulations.
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (smallmouth, largemouth, spotted) | 6 per day (12 possession) | No statewide minimum; special waters apply |
| Trout (rainbow, golden rainbow, brook, tiger, brown) | 6 per day (12 possession) | No minimum |
| Muskellunge & tiger musky | 1 per day (2 possession) | Min 30 in |
| Northern pike | 1 per day (2 possession) | Min 30 in |
| Chain pickerel | 1 per day (2 possession) | No minimum |
| Hybrid striped, striped & white bass | 30 per day (30 possession), max 4 over 15 in | Special waters (Beech Fork, Bluestone, Mt. Storm, R.D. Bailey, Kanawha River): 4/day, min 15 in |
| Walleye, sauger, saugeye | 8 per day (16 possession) | Ohio River: 6 combined (only 2 walleye, min 18 in) |
| Blue catfish | 2 per day (no possession limit) | Min 25 in |
| Channel catfish | 4 per day (8 possession) in state impoundments | Rivers/streams/large lakes: 30 daily |
| Flathead catfish | 30 per day (60 possession) |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Rollins Lake
- All hybrid/striped/white bass must be returned immediately.
Elk Fork, North Bend, O'Brien, Woodrum lakes
- 6 bass/day, only 1 over 16 in.
New River
- Black bass 14-22 in released; creel 6.
Stonewall Jackson Lake
- Black bass: 1 per day 18 in or longer; bass under 18 in may be harvested (6/day total).
Summersville Lake
- Smallmouth bass: 15 in minimum; walleye 18 in minimum.
Sutton Lake
- Walleye: 15 in minimum, 8/day.
East Lynn Lake
- Walleye: 15 in minimum.
Beech Fork Lake
- Black bass: 12 in minimum; striped bass 4/day, 15 in minimum.
Tygart Lake
- Walleye: 18 in minimum.
Cheat Lake
- Walleye: 15 in minimum; catfish limits.
Bluestone Lake
- Striped bass: 4/day, 15 in minimum.
Burnsville Lake
- Muskellunge: 30 in minimum.
McDowell Lake
- Trout: 6/day (special waters).
Seasons
Most species open year-round; trout have special stocking seasons.
Licence Fees
WV fishing license required (resident/non-resident); trout stamp; fees per WVDNR.
Edition: 2026 West Virginia Fishing Regulations Summary (WVDNR) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (wvdnr.gov/fishing)
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