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Take the Bait! Warmer Weather And Height Of Trout Stocking Brings Out Area Anglers

Warmer Weather And Height Of Trout Stocking Brings Out Area Anglers

WHEELING — It’s that time of year again when warm weather combined with the height of fish stocking season is turning out more local anglers on the shores of local streams and lakes on both sides of the Ohio River.

As many outdoor enthusiasts have been spotted along the banks of area waterways and lakes, Jim Hedrick, hatchery program manager for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, said this is certainly the time of year the sport of fishing begins to ramp up.

While the DNR began stocking fish at some streams and waterways around the state in January, he said they began picking up locations like Big Wheeling Creek and Bear Rock Lakes near West Alexander in February. Hedrick said some waterways and lakes are stocked with trout on a bi-weekly basis in the Northern Panhandle, while others are stocked on a monthly basis. Dozens of area anglers were spotted along the shores at Bear Rocks this past week.

“The way those stocking allotments work, is it is based on the amount of water area that is accessible for angling,” Hedrick explained.

Hedrick said the DNR has seven cold water fish hatcheries and two warm water hatcheries in different locations around the state. He said trout (a cold water species), is the largest production for their annual stocking around the state.

“We are getting right into that peak of trout stocking season, starting in the last week of March through April and into the first week or two of May,” Hedrick commented

In addition to trout, Hedrick said they typically “supplement” smaller lakes, such as Bear Rock Lakes near West Alexander, with other species of fish including channel catfish on a yearly basis. He said they stock larger warm water fish, including: muskie, walleye and striped bass in some of larger lakes around the state.

In an effort to encourage families and new anglers to enjoy fishing during the spring 2019 season, the West Virginia DNR has brought back the “Gold Rush” program for the second year in a row, according to Hedrick.

Gold Rush is a program where the DNR will release 40,000 golden rainbow trout at more than 55 lakes and streams around the state beginning in early April.

Gold Rush is a regularly scheduled stocking, it’s not an additional stocking” Hedrick commented. “Instead of stocking the normal ratio of about 90 percent rainbow, 10 percent golden trout, it is a complete golden trout stocking,” he added. He said the purpose of the program is to give people an opportunity to catch the treasured golden rainbow trout and maybe introduce family and friends to the sport of fishing.

“We wanted to make some kind of special event directed towards kids and families … to actually get them to plan and schedule a fishing trip and get them outdoors,” Hedrick said.

He said they selected many locations for Gold Rush program that will make it a little easier for families to gain access to the fishing areas. He said Bear Rocks and Big Wheeling Creek are both locations scheduled to be a part of the Gold Rush stockings next month.

According to the West Virginia DNR website, anglers are not permitted to fish within 200 feet of WVDNR staff during a stocking event and proper fishing licensing is always required.

Pat Marino, owner of P&R Ba it Shop at the Rayland Marina, said he just opened his shop for the season a short time ago and things are already ramping up for the season.

“Things are picking up with the live bait. They’re picking up minnows and shiners and crappie minnows. The sauger and the walleye are starting to hit down at the (Pike Island) dam,” Marino explained. In addition to fishing the along the Ohio River, Marino said the Rayland Marina is another favorite fishing spot for local anglers. “Crappie will be running in about another week. They’ll be hitting the river , the back water and the ponds on live bait,” he added.

Marino said the warm weather has brought out the local angler in larger numbers over the past week.

“It’s starting to pick up more every day,” said Marino, who offers a wide selection bait and tackle at his shop. “I have customers and clubs who like to come down from Cleveland,” he explained. He said many club members like to fish the Ohio River. “They come down for the walleye and the sauger,” he added.

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