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.

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.