2012 Fall Trout Stockings Begin October 9

            SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources 2012 fall trout stocking will take place during the weeks of October 8 and 15, according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the DNR Wildlife Resources Section. Approximately 39,000 pounds of trout will be stocked during the two-week period in 25 streams and eight lakes as indicated in the 2012 Fishing Regulations booklet.  Brood trout will make up about 20 percent of the total poundage.

            “Although stream flows in many areas of the state are lower than last year, we should still be able to get the trout spread out pretty well,” said Taylor. 

            All waters will be stocked each week during the two-week period, with two exceptions:

• The Monongahela National Forest will begin temporary closure of FR 86, the Williams River Road, on October 9, 2012.  According to the Forest Service, the closure will occur between Tea Creek Campground and Three Forks, and is necessary to repair road damage caused by high water and heavy rains during the past couple years.  The full description of the closure can be found at:  www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mnf/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5392080
• New Creek Dam 14 will not be stocked this fall because of ongoing repairs that required the lake to be drained.  Work should be completed this fall and the lake filled for the 2013 stocking season.

            Without additional rainfall over the next couple weeks, flows are likely to be low and clear, and anglers will have to use their best angling skills to be successful.

            Anglers can call the Fishing Hotline at 304-558-3399 or visit the DNR website at www.wvdnr.gov to find out which streams and lakes have been stocked each day.