Shore-fishing is the only game in town at James P. Bailey, so the fine trail surrounding the lake remains a key element in angling success. Thankfully, the trail contains plenty of fishing areas for fishermen. This spacious trail is important because big trout might show up from any section of the lake.

James P. Bailey Lake is stocked with trout only twice each spring, but those stockings are loaded with plenty of trophy trout. Within the southern reaches of our state, this small impoundment is one of the best trout-fishing options, especially when it comes to trophy trout.

During 2008, James P. Bailey led the state in the number of trophy trout citations for small impoundments. For several years, James P. Bailey has become West Virginia's leading producer for trophy rainbow trout from impoundments, and the lake continues to be a solid bet for anglers who are looking to encounter giant springtime trout.

BARBOURSVILLE LAKE
The city of Barboursville is not exactly synonymous with trout fishing. In fact, trout are rare in the vicinity of Cabell County. However, the 17-acre Barboursville Lake has become a trout-fishing destination, partially because few trout fisheries exist in this part of West Virginia and partially because of the lunker trout the lake receives.

And make no mistake, the lake gets loaded with lunker trout during late-winter and early-spring stockings. Despite only being stocked a few times each year, Barboursville Lake offers anglers in this part of the state a better chance at trophy trout than any other fishery in the proximity.

Barboursville Lake is located in the city of Barboursville's Community Park. Access to the lake is via county routes 31 and 31/7, and the lake lies less than 10 miles from downtown Huntington.

So, needless to say, expect plenty of company when fishing Barboursville. The allure of big trout to an area where few trout fisheries exist continues to be a prime drawing card. But just like Ridenour, Barboursville provides area anglers great opportunities at lunker trout. And big trout sure are a powerful attraction in the Mountain State.

Water temperatures elevate quickly during the summer in this southern impoundment, so the best time to fish is during the spring. Trout have a tough time surviving during the warm summer months, so management strategies are aimed at spring fishing.

Since boats are prohibited, shore- fishing remains the only way to fish at Barboursville Lake. A fisherman access trail surrounds the entire lake providing good access for bank-fishing anglers.

During 2008, this small lake produced enough trophy trout citations to rank in the top five Mountain State trophy trout impoundments. Such trophy trout numbers are becoming commonplace for this little water, and more big trout are sure to be caught in the near future.

Big trout serve as a prime attraction that brings anglers from near and far. Sometimes these anglers fish for trout in gorgeous mountain lakes, and other times they fish near major cities. Either case has its benefits and pitfalls, but the one common thread is the appeal of big trout.

And the numbers don't lie! All the small lakes in this article are proven producers of trophy trout, and should continue to be trophy trout factories in the near future. So, no matter where you fish this year, checking out these trophy trout impoundments just might produce a giant trout for you this season.