Monday, April 30, 2012
The state fish of West Virginia
The brook trout is the only trout species native to West Virginia streams. Native brook trout live and reproduce in only the coldest and purest of our mountain streams. These streams are generally less than 15 feet wide, well shaded, and have numerous pools. Although these streams often support large numbers of brook trout, the trout tend to be small fish that average five to six inches in length and seldom exceed 10 inches.
Brook trout are characterized by a dark green back covered with lighter worm-shaped markings, bluish sides and a pink to scarlet belly. The sides of the trout are profusely sprinkled with yellow spots, interspersed with red ones. The lower fins are orange-red with a distinctive white stripe on the front edge.
Given its beauty and the fact that the brook trout is our only native trout, it’s no wonder that in 1973 it was selected to be the official state fish.
Brook trout spawn primarily during October. Their nests, called redds, are built near the lower end of the pools where the gravel is swept clean of silt and fresh oxygenated water is abundant. Since these streams are generally low and clear during the fall, spawning activity can be readily observed in many of the small, cold headwater streams of the Elk, Greenbrier and Williams rivers, as well as Seneca and Gandy creeks.
While there are 500 miles of native trout streams in West Virginia, the streams are small and represent only two percent of the total miles of stream in the state.
Brook trout are not picky eaters and feed on a wide variety of food items. During the winter and early spring, much of their food consists of aquatic insects and other fish. The insects include mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies.
In the summer and early fall, their diet changes to terrestrial insects. These are insects like grasshoppers, Japanese beetles and bees that normally live on the land but become fish food when they fall or are washed into the stream.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
WV Fishing Fun Facts
• Thirty-three (33) percent of in-state respondents preferred fishing rivers,
29 percent lakes, and 27 percent streams. Forty-eight (48) percent of
out-of-state respondents preferred fishing rivers, 31 percent streams,
and 15 percent lakes.
• Eighteen (18) percent of in-state respondents owned a fishing license from
a state other than West Virginia in addition to their West Virginia fishing
license. Meanwhile, 61 percent of out-of-state respondents owned a
nonresident fishing license in other states as well as West Virginia.
• A catch and release format was preferred by 46 percent of in-state respondents,
while 24 percent liked to catch and keep the fish they caught. Meanwhile,
51 percent of nonresidents surveyed preferred a catch and release format,
and 27 percent liked to catch and keep the fish they caught.
• Thirty-eight (38) percent of the in-state respondents indicated they had fished
at a West Virginia fee-fishing location in the past. Fourteen (14) percent
indicated they had fished at multiple fee-fishing locations in West Virginia.
Meanwhile, only 9 percent of the out-of-state respondents indicated they
had fished at a West Virginia fee-fishing location in the past and only one
respondent had fished at multiple West Virginia fee-fishing locations.
• Word of mouth, signs, billboards, and newspaper advertisements/articles
were the primary forms of communication used by in-state respondents
to identify fee-fishing locations they had visited. Word of mouth and
newspaper advertisements/articles were the only forms of communication
used to identify fee-fishing locations by out-of-state respondents.
• Those who had not fished at a West Virginia fee-fishing location in the
past were asked if they would be willing to do so in the future. Forty (40)
percent of in-state respondents and 28 percent of out-of-state respondents
said they would be interested in patronizing a West Virginia fee-fishing
location in the future. This would seem to indicate strong support for
developing recreational fee-fishing opportunities in West Virginia.
• Respondents were asked to identify which type of fish they would like
to fish for at West Virginia fee-fishing locations. Given the opportunity
to check a number of species from a wide range provided on the survey,
the most preferred species by in-state respondents were (in descending
order of preference) Bluegill, Trout, Catfish, and Bass. Out-of-state
respondents order of preference for fish caught at fee-fishing locations
were Trout, Bass, Catfish, and Crappie.2
• In-state respondents thought the size of fish being caught and the type of fish
provided were the two most important features that a recreational fee-fishing
operation could offer. This was followed by the cost charged to fish at the site,
the availability of on-site bait and tackle, and the ability to catch a fish every visit.
Out-of-state respondents thought the type of fish provided and the size of fish being
caught were the two most important features that a recreational fee-fishing operation
could offer. This was followed by the cost charged to fish at the site, the ability
to catch a fish every visit, and a catch and release program.
• As for operational fee-fishing features, cleanliness was the most important feature
to both in-state and out-of-state respondents. Site safety, the availability of clean rest
rooms, hours the facility is open, and adequate parking were the next most important
operational features to in-state respondents. Out-of-state respondents rated visual
surroundings, site safety, adequate parking, location, and hours the facility is open
as their next most important operational features.
• Both groups of respondents thought that an alcohol-free area and the availability
of a picnic area were the two most important recreational features a fee-fishing
operation could offer patrons. However, the in-state respondents rated these
features as much more important than their out-of-state counterparts did.
• Both groups of respondents were asked if they would be willing to pay a daily
permit fee-to fish a privately stocked stream in West Virginia. Twenty-four (24)
percent of in-state and 28 percent of out-of -state respondents said they would be
willing to pay a daily fee-for this opportunity. However, a large number in each
group was neither for nor against this concept at the time the survey was conducted.
That is, more than one-half of in-state and more than two-thirds of out-of-state
respondents have either a favorable (yes) or at least a neutral (not sure and
would need more information) position about this concept, making it a concept
that could potentially be used to increase the demand for recreational fee-fishing
in West Virginia.
• The possibility of developing an arrangement whereby an organization (private
resort, state park, bed-and-breakfast, etc.) would put together a fishing package
offering a variety of West Virginia fishing locations (public and/or private) for
different types of fish was examined. More than 40 percent of in-state respondents
answered in the affirmative to this concept, and another one-third (33 percent) said
they would need more information but would consider this type of arrangement.
Meanwhile another 12 percent were not sure at this time but may consider it in
the future. Out-of-state respondents were also asked if such an arrangement would
be of interest to them. Thirty-one (31) percent replied yes, but 27 percent said they
would need more information. Another 17 percent were not sure at this time.
• In-state respondents indicated they would travel an average of approximately
100 miles to go fishing. Out-of-state respondents said they would travel an average
of approximately 250 miles to go fishing in West Virginia and most (78 percent)
would stay two or more days when partaking in a West Virginia fishing outing.
• Ninety-five (95) percent of out-of-state respondents indicated they stayed overnight
during their West Virginia fishing visits. Motels, hotels, and lodging at state parks
were frequented by 47 percent of the respondents. Another 15 percent stayed at
paid public campgrounds. The remaining 38 percent stayed at either a private
residence or an overnight camping site where fees are not required.
• Both groups were asked if most of their fishing trips were part of another activity
(such as a camping trip, vacation, etc.). Most in-state respondents (76 percent)
viewed fishing as a stand-alone activity. The other 24 percent incorporated fishing
outings into other activities. The opposite was true for nonresidents. Sixty-four (64)
percent of out-of-state respondents combined their West Virginia fishing trip with
other activities. These other activities were mostly two- or three-day weekend visits
or extended stays lasting four or more days.3
• Most respondents indicated they tended to fish with someone else. Specifically,
44 percent of the in-state state respondents went fishing with a family member,
and another 41 percent went fishing with a friend. When fishing in West Virginia,
64 percent of out-of-state respondents went fishing with a friend(s), and another
25 percent went fishing with a family member.
• Two-thirds (66 percent) of in-state respondents were employed full time,
and 19 percent were retired. Meanwhile, 82 percent of out-of-sate respondents
were employed on a full-time basis, and 14 percent were retired.
• Approximately 43 percent of in-state respondents indicated they had a gross
household income exceeding $35,000 annually. Sixty-eight (68) percent of
the out-of-state respondents reported their gross household income exceeded
$35,000 annually.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
2012 Trout Stocking
2012 Trout Stocking
January 19, 2012
South Branch (Franklin)
January 18, 2012
Due to weather, no waters stocked today.
January 17, 2012
James P. Bailey Tailwaters
Shavers Fork (upper section)
Watoga Lake
January 13, 2012
Due to weather, no waters stocked today.
January 12, 2012
Hurricane Reservoir
Spruce Knob Lake
January 11, 2012
Blackwater River
Glady Fork
Krodel Lake
Lick Creek Pond
Shavers Fork (Bemis)
South Branch (Smoke Hole)
Wayne Dam
January 10, 2012
Anderson Lake
Bullskin Run
Cacapon Park Lake
Cedar Creek Lake
Elk River
Evitts Run
Fitzpatrick Lake
Gandy Creek
Laurel Fork (Randolph)
Little Beaver Lake
Middle Creek
Miletree Lake
Mill Creek of Opequon Creek
New Creek
North Fork of Patterson Creek
Opequon Creek
Rocky Marsh Run
January 9, 2011
Tomlinson Run
January 6, 2012
Summit Lake
January 5, 2012
Anthony Creek
Barboursville Lake
Chief Cornstalk Lake
Chief Logan Lake
Curtisville Lake
Huey Lake
Knapps Creek
Laurel Lake
Lost River
Ridenour Lake
Rollins Lake
Trout Run
Turkey Run Lake
Waites Run
January 4, 2012
North Fork of South Branch
North Fork of South Branch (C&R)
Pennsboro Reservoir
Shavers Fork (lower section)
Tracy Lake
January 3, 2012
Larenim Park Lake
January 19, 2012
South Branch (Franklin)
January 18, 2012
Due to weather, no waters stocked today.
January 17, 2012
James P. Bailey Tailwaters
Shavers Fork (upper section)
Watoga Lake
January 13, 2012
Due to weather, no waters stocked today.
January 12, 2012
Hurricane Reservoir
Spruce Knob Lake
January 11, 2012
Blackwater River
Glady Fork
Krodel Lake
Lick Creek Pond
Shavers Fork (Bemis)
South Branch (Smoke Hole)
Wayne Dam
January 10, 2012
Anderson Lake
Bullskin Run
Cacapon Park Lake
Cedar Creek Lake
Elk River
Evitts Run
Fitzpatrick Lake
Gandy Creek
Laurel Fork (Randolph)
Little Beaver Lake
Middle Creek
Miletree Lake
Mill Creek of Opequon Creek
New Creek
North Fork of Patterson Creek
Opequon Creek
Rocky Marsh Run
January 9, 2011
Tomlinson Run
January 6, 2012
Summit Lake
January 5, 2012
Anthony Creek
Barboursville Lake
Chief Cornstalk Lake
Chief Logan Lake
Curtisville Lake
Huey Lake
Knapps Creek
Laurel Lake
Lost River
Ridenour Lake
Rollins Lake
Trout Run
Turkey Run Lake
Waites Run
January 4, 2012
North Fork of South Branch
North Fork of South Branch (C&R)
Pennsboro Reservoir
Shavers Fork (lower section)
Tracy Lake
January 3, 2012
Larenim Park Lake
Thursday, January 12, 2012
West Virginia Winter
Most know there is a plenty of things to do in the mountains of West Virginia during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. One of the best kept secrets in the mountain state is the ski resorts that come to life when the tempatures plunge. The 2012 winter has had a slow start but I was in despirate need of getting some wind through my gills so I decided to head down I 77 to check out Winterplace Ski Resort. Winterplace is the most accessable ski area in WV, just a couple minutes off the interstate. We pulled into the resort and thought we had made a bad call since there had been no snow sighted on the trip. Thankfully the snowmakers had been hard at work covering the mountain with several feet of white stuff. It was very easy to find parking, get a lift ticket, and grab our fitst chair of the season being a weekday, the resort only had a few dozen cars in the parking lot. The snow was groomed well and we never waited in a lift line for more than a minute. After about ten laps the legs started to burn and the deck behind the resort center look like a great place to chill out with a cold beer and and soak in some rays. If your looking for a nice way to get out this winter you can visit www.winterplace.com or call 304-787-3221 for the snow phone or www.gladesprings.com for great lodging that includes free shuttle and lift tickets.
Labels:
Glade Springs,
resorts in wv,
skiing,
Winterplace
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