Fishing Regulations in West Virginia
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official West Virginia fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
West Virginia requires a fishing license for anglers 15 and older. Resident and non-resident annual licenses are available, along with short-term tourist licenses. A trout stamp is required for fishing in designated trout waters. Senior residents 65 and older can purchase a lifetime license at a reduced rate.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 6 per day | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | Regulations vary by water body. Check current WV DNR regulations. |
| smallmouth-bass | 6 per day (combined with largemouth) | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| crappie | 20 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| channel-catfish | 8 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| flathead-catfish | 2 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| walleye | 4 per day | 15 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| musky | 2 per day | 36 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| rainbow-trout | 6 per day | No minimum | Year-round (stocked waters) | Special regulations apply on catch-and-release and delayed harvest streams. |
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Notes: Regulations vary by water body. Check current WV DNR regulations.
Bag Limit: 6 per day (combined with largemouth)
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 20 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 8 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 2 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 4 per day
Size Limit: 15 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 2 per day
Size Limit: 36 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round (stocked waters)
Notes: Special regulations apply on catch-and-release and delayed harvest streams.
Top Fishing Waters
Summersville Lake
reservoirSpecies: smallmouth-bass, largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish
Burnsville Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish, walleye
Stonewall Jackson Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, crappie, bluegill, channel-catfish
New River
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, spotted-bass, channel-catfish, flathead-catfish, walleye
Elk River
riverSpecies: smallmouth-bass, musky, channel-catfish, rainbow-trout, brown-trout
Cranberry River
riverSpecies: brook-trout, brown-trout, rainbow-trout
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 12 lbs 2 oz | 2001 | Sleepy Creek Lake |
| smallmouth-bass | 7 lbs 14 oz | 1971 | South Branch Potomac |
| channel-catfish | 29 lbs 12 oz | 1972 | Kanawha River |
| flathead-catfish | 56 lbs 8 oz | 1994 | Kanawha River |
| walleye | 16 lbs 2 oz | 1997 | Elk River |
| musky | 49 lbs 4 oz | 1997 | Burnsville Lake |
| rainbow-trout | 15 lbs 2 oz | 1971 | Spruce Knob Lake |
| brook-trout | 5 lbs 12 oz | 1969 | Cranberry River |
| crappie | 4 lbs 1 oz | 2008 | Burnsville Lake |