Get a list of many wonderful West Virginia fishing streams from the state Department of Natural Resources. See link below. Photo courtesy WVDNR.

Want to encourage fishing in your area?

Fishing with grandchildren on the Greenbrier River. Photo: Kate Long

• Expand access to streams. The state stocks trout and bass. But people who want to fish sometimes have trouble getting access to the streams See river access.
• Here is a list of fishing access points in West Virginia from the Department of Natural Resources: http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/public_access.asp. Check to make sure the best ones in your area are on the list. If you have good access, publicize it to local residents and on your community Web site.
• Start a Trout Unlimited chapter, if you don’t have one: With 1,600 West Virginia members, The West Virginia Council of Trout Unlimited helps beginning and advanced anglers connect with the state’s trout watersheds.  TU also organizes annual stream cleanups, youth and community education and helps with fingerling restocking. http://www.wvtu.org
• Check out www.WVAngler.com
  

  Sign up for the DNR’s weekly fishing report, letting you know where they’re biting and giving you good ideas for new fishing holes. Photo: WVDNR

• The Department of Natural Resources has information about all things fishing in West Virginia: http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/fishing.shtm
  • Public fishing areas: http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/public_access.asp
  • Weekly fishing report: http://www.wvdnr.gov/fishing/weekly_fishreport.shtm
  • fish stocking maps: http://www.mapwv.gov/huntfish
• Check out this facebook page: Fishing Report WV: https://www.facebook.com/groups/197670607108161/
• Encourage good flyfishermen to offer a fly-fishing or river fishing course in your area.
  

  Help keep our rivers and streams safe for your kids. Join the West Virginia Watershed Network. See link below. Photo courtesy WVDNR

• For fishing trips, type in “West Virginia fishing schools.”  If your area doesn’t have a school, how might you help get one started?
• Make it possible for people to combine fishing with paddling: The Coal River Group lends people fishing poles if they want them when they rent canoes. See the paddling page.
• Fishing on horseback.Another interesting idea. Pipestem State Park offers it: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/hunting-fishing/a-unique-trout-fishing-experience-west-virginia-mountain-river-on-horseback-668388
• Water quality is important to fish and fishermen. Here is a public radio story about the Cheat cleanup that makes that point.  http://www.wbur.org/npr/204580876/fish-return-to-a-mining-county-river?ft=3&f=204580876
• Support your local watershed association, which is in charge of keeping your fishing area clean and full of fish. Join the West Virginia Watershed Network: http://www.wvca.us/wvwn/

Also see these Try This pages:  Get water trail status for your river, create public access, support watershed associations

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