The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will be stocking more than 5,000 catchable-size channel catfish beginning May 20, 2014, according to DNR Director Frank Jezioro. These channel catfish introductions are in addition to the stocking of more than 34,000 fish into 28 lakes in March 2014. This popular program provides fishing opportunities at user-friendly lakes at DNR wildlife management areas and state parks, as well as several county- and city-owned impoundments.
Lakes to be stocked in May are: Anawalt Lake (McDowell Co.), Barboursville Lake (Cabell Co.), Berwind Lake (McDowell Co.), Cacapon State Park Lake (Morgan Co.), Cedar Creek State Park Lake (Gilmer Co.), Chief Logan State Park Lake (Logan Co.), Coopers Rock Lake (Monongalia Co.), Edwards Run Pond (Hampshire Co.), French Creek Pond (Upshur Co.), Handley Pond (Pocahontas Co.), Laurel Lake (Mingo Co.), Little Beaver State Park Lake (Raleigh Co.), Mason Lake (Monongalia Co.), Mountwood Lake (Wood Co.), North Bend State Park Pond (Ritchie Co.), Pipestem State Park Lake (Summers Co.), Tomlinson Run State Park Lake (Hancock Co.) and Watoga State Park Lake (Pocahontas Co.).
DNR Wildlife Resources Section personnel will stock tagged channel catfish into eight state park lakes in May as part of the Catfish in the Parks Program, according to Chris O’Bara, DNR fishery biologist. These parks include: Cacapon , Cedar Creek, Chief Logan, Little Beaver, North Bend, Pipestem, Tomlinson Run, and Watoga.
Anglers who catch a tagged fish are asked to return the tag or the tag number, along with information on the date of capture, if the fish was kept or released, and the name and address of the angler, to WVDNR, 2311 Ohio Ave, Parkersburg, WV 26101.
Anglers also can call 304-420-4550 or provide the information via e-mail at dnrfishtags@wv.gov. Additional information about the tagging programs can be found at www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Fish_Tagging.shtm.
As part of the Catfish in the Parks program, anglers who report a tagged catfish caught in a state park will receive a free night camping certificate good at several state park campgrounds.