If you're thinking about doing some walleye fishing this year, you're in luck. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) is pursuing -- expanding -- an aggressive stocking program throughout the state. For a number of years now, our state has worked cooperatively with Pennsylvania to obtain and stock walleyes in its waters. That program continues in full force. Most of those fingerlings will be stocked in lakes and reservoirs around the state.

The rivers are another matter, however. West Virginia biologists have identified a new strain of Ohio River drainage walleye. In cooperation with the Commonwealth of Virginia, fingerlings from that strain are being released throughout West Virginia's rivers. The Ohio, Kanawha and New rivers are all benefiting from this program, as are the anglers who are fishing these particular river systems.

Bret Preston, assistant chief fisheries biologist in charge of the warm- water program for West Virginia, is excited. He points out that these fingerlings will have an excellent survival rate and that they are somewhat different from the Great Lakes strain. Not only are their survival rates good, but also they tend to grow faster and are somewhat stockier and heavier.

The result of all this is obvious. It means great walleye fishing for West Virginia anglers. An excellent example occurred on New Year's Eve in 2004. That's when the Elk River in Clay County gave up a new state record. It was a 30.87-inch brute that weighed 18.97 pounds. Jerry Rose was the successful angler. He released the fish immediately after it was weighed, measured and its species certified by the DNR.

Unfortunately, Rose has since passed away and additional details about his catch are unavailable. Still, we know the fish was there and was released alive. Interestingly, two state-record fish have been caught in less than two years.

So, with all this in mind, let's take a look at some of the better walleye waters that are available to Mountain State anglers.

KANAWHA RIVER
The Kanawha River might be the place to fish if you're looking to catch a big marble-eye. In 2003, it produced a 35-inch, 17.85-pound walleye that once held the state record. (It's interesting to note that the previous state record was taken from Kanawha Fall in 1976. It weighed 15 pounds.)

And, according to Preston, substantial numbers of walleyes between 8 and 14 pounds are caught from this river each year. Now, for those readers who are new to walleye fishing, those are big fish, really big fish. Many skillful walleye specialists never break the 10-pound mark, no matter where they fish.

Early in the year, fish the mouths of almost any inlet you can locate. Walleyes will move into these areas and stage before continuing along their spawning journey. Other good spots include the tailrace flows below dams.

As the season wears along, look for walleyes in deep pools, and hard-bottom channel cuts along the river's path. Early morning, late evening and after dark are the best times to fish once the water warms.