By Cory Boothe
Coryboothe@hotmail.com
After the close of deer season, many outdoorsmen turn to trout fishing. Unfortunately, not many local options are available for the trout fisherman. Cedar Creek in Gilmer County, Miletree in Roane, along with Tracy Lake and Pennsboro Reservoir are our nearest trout fishing opportunities. Each of these lakes will receive one stocking in January and one stocking in March.
The January stocking usually has a healthy helping of brood trout. These are the fish that are kept longer for breeding purposes. Many of these trout will be four pounds plus and over twenty inches. These fish often qualify for a West Virginia trophy fish citation. A rainbow, brown or golden must be four pounds or 21 inches. Brook trout must be 1.5 pounds or fifteen inches.
Another frequently used option for sportsmen of central West Virginia looking for trout is to head to the mountains. Many trout streams are within a two hour drive of central West Virginia. The Cranberry, Elk, and Williams are all less than half a tank of gas away. These streams will get a stocking in January, two in February, and one each week from March until the end of May.
It's of importance to note that just because Calhoun County doesn't have snow is no indication as to if these counties have snow. I remember a trout fishing trip of my youth when I left Calhoun in a pair of tennis shoes to reach Richwood and the Cranberry to find seven inches of fresh snow.
Trout fishermen need to purchase a trout stamp to fish for trout in West Virginia. Trout stamps are ten dollars. The limit on trout is six a day. Good luck trout fishing in West Virginia. It's a great way to beat the winter time blues.
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