Kevin Yokum.

The Mountain State is home to some fantastic fishing. If you’re looking to fish new waters or perhaps just visit another one for a change, then check out this year’s fishing calendar for recommended waters across our fine state.

JANUARY
Elk River Walleyes
Wintertime brings big walleyes to the Elk as these mighty fish migrate upriver to spawn. This is the best time for anglers to intercept walleyes weighing in the double digits as these hefty fish move from the Elk’s deep pools into shallow waters for spawning purposes.

Areas of bottom containing high concentrations of gravel serve as likely spawning sites. This makes the mouths of the Elk’s large tributaries, such as Birch River, Strange Creek and Groves Creek, annual hotspots for marble-eye anglers.

Typically, winter precipitation produces above-average flows that tend to color the river’s water, thus creating excellent conditions for walleye fishing.

Since trophy Elk River walleyes seem to crave big baits, most serious walleye anglers prefer live bait for enticing lunker walleyes. I’ve witnessed anglers on the Elk fishing with 10-inch chubs and suckers up to 12 inches long. Other anglers go with artificials but still utilize oversized baits, usually 8- or 10-inch muskie jerkbaits.

Don’t expect to catch many walleyes while fishing the Elk, but if trophy specimens top your wish list, then the Elk is your ticket this January. In late winter, the lower Elk is the most likely water in the Mountain State to produce walleyes of 10 pounds or larger.

FEBRUARY
North Fork Of The
South Branch Trout
The North Fork is stocked with trout in January, February and then every week from March to May. With such numerous stockings, the river remains filled with rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and sometimes brook trout. While anglers may indeed catch more than one species of trout, the North Fork’s countless riffles and deep runs seem especially suited for rainbow and golden rainbow trout.

Winter trout fishing can be tough in some regions, and Pendleton County is no exception. However, this area of Pendleton County typically has milder winters than many of our state’s other “trout counties,” such as Randolph, Pocahontas and Webster.

The North Fork River parallels state Route 28, which means a slew of roadside pull-offs for anglers who are seeking convenient access.

The stretch from Riverton to Cabins offers a gorgeous section of river that contains relatively easy water to fish. This section is noted for producing the river’s best trout fishing, which includes opportunities for trophy fish, some exceeding 8 pounds.

For anglers who like special regulation areas, don’t forget about the three-quarter-mile-long catch-and-release section, which lies in the shadow of Seneca Rocks.

MARCH
Buckhannon River
Muskies
No water in the Mountain State contains a higher density of muskies than does the Buckhannon River. The Buckhannon is loaded with muskies in the 30- to 40-inch range, particularly the catch-and-release area that originates in Buckhannon. The primary access to the catch-and-release area sits behind West Virginia Wesleyan College on Wood Street. This access ramp is capable of handling most motorboats.

Downstream of Buckhannon the access turns primitive, but locations to fish the lower river remain available. Fishing in these sections can be exceptional. The lower Buckhannon doesn’t receive nearly the fishing pressure, as does the catch-and-release section.

A striking feature of the Buckhannon River is the crystal-clear water, which makes “raising” muskies in the Buckhannon exciting, even if you don’t catch them. Based on many trips to the Buckhannon River, it’s not uncommon to see at least 10 fish in a single outing.