Our state provides a wide range of angling choices. Throughout the year, there is something to pursue, from catfish to muskies. Given the extensive array of angling choices, coupled with the fact that all species tend to provide peak action at certain times of the year, it makes sense to have a game plan of sorts in place for the entire season.

It is with this in mind that West Virginia Game & Fish offers up its "2007 Fishing Calendar." What follows is a 12-month list of fishing choices spread across the state, and aimed at pointing you toward good fishing action. The accompanying graphic provides second and third choice picks for your consideration.

JANUARY
Gauley River Walleyes
Few species bite as well during the winter months as do walleyes, particularly river-dwelling members of this species. The Gauley River, specifically the portion located between the Summersville Dam and the Gauley’s merger with the New River near Gauley Bridge, is worth investigating for winter walleyes.

The Gauley River is perhaps best known for the outstanding rafting it provides, particularly when Summersville Lake is being drawn down during the early fall. But the river also plays host to a good walleye fishery, including fish of trophy proportions. The former state-record walleye (for weight) was taken in 1990, weighing in 17.22 pounds and taping out at 33 inches. The Summersville Lake tailwaters was the site of the record catch, and represents one of the better areas on the Gauley.

One of the biggest factors with the Gauley River is access. Access is good in the Summersville tailwaters area. Below the tailwaters area the river flows swiftly through a remote canyon -- the Gauley River National Recreation Area -- where access is limited and is good walleye habitat. The lower portion of the Gauley is a slower moving water, and provides the better walleye water. Check out the river section between the town of Swiss on down to where it joins the New River to form the Kanawha River, at K&M Junction. Public access areas are found at Persinger Creek in Nicholas County and Jodie in Fayette County.

If river conditions aren’t good, it’s certainly worth checking out Summersville Lake. If open-water conditions exist, the reduced pool of the lake can make for some outstanding winter walleye fishing.

FEBRUARY
Stonecoal Lake Trout
West Virginia’s aggressive trout-stocking program provides outstanding recreation on many rivers and creeks. Lakes, too, are part of the program, particularly ones such as Stonecoal. Stillwater environments are particularly attractive when the streams are running high, as well as for folks who can’t, or don’t care to, hike along the rugged stream banks often found along trout streams.

Currently, Stonecoal Lake is the site of two state-record trout, the length records for both golden rainbow and rainbow trout. Stonecoal’s reputation as a producer of big fish isn’t limited to trout, as the place also coughs up some exceptionally large muskies.

Stonecoal Lake is located in the Stonecoal Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The deep, cold lake covers 550 surface acres. Two concrete boat ramps are provided, as is fishing access for the handicapped. Boats are limited to 10-horsepower outboards.

Stonecoal Lake is located in Lewis and Upshur counties near the towns of Weston and Buckhannon. It is a short distance off Interstate 79.

MARCH
Kanawha River Hybrid
Striped Bass
Hard-fighting hybrid stripers can provide a good way of shrugging off the early spring cold. The Kanawha River is one of the state’s better hybrid fisheries.

Hybrid stripers are a cross between a female striped bass and a male white bass. Products of the state’s hatchery system, hybrids are stocked on a regular basis in several state impoundments and rivers. The Kanawha River represents a good place to key in on hybrids.

Focus your hybrid attention to the lower portion of the Kanawha River, where the lock and dam system creates pools. Three dams are found there, structures that attract both fish and fishermen. Dams are located at London, Marmet and Winfield. Shore-anglers will find good access and facilities below the dams. Boat anglers can cash in on the action, but need to stay below the buoy line that cordons off the restricted area. If buoys are not in place, the commonly accepted boundary of the restricted area is an imaginary line that crosses the river at the downstream end of the lock’s approach wall.

Another key for anglers, boat anglers in particular, is the presence of a warmwater discharge into the river. Such discharges, common at industrial sites like power plants, attract baitfish and game fish, such as hybrids.

If the hybrids aren’t biting, March is a key time for river saugers below the Kanawha’s dams.