Back to our roots

FARMINGTON, W.Va. — The red and white sphere shuttered in the water.  Ripples radiated away from the small bobber as a frenzy of activity happened below the smooth surface.   Finally after a peck or two, the orb disappeared and with a flick of the wrist another slab of fish fillet was secured for a skillet of grease.

Most who fish started out with such a scenario. Bluegill, crappie, perch, and red eye are all considered pan fish.  They earned the name because of their eventual destination in days gone by.   But somewhere along the way, fishing changed.  Most of us evolved into different angling pursuits.   Fewer and fewer still look at the small fish which make forage for the aquatic world as forage for our own tables.   But why?

“We started off with that and then graduated to bigger and ‘sexier’ species like bass and musky.  Everybody wants bigger, tougher fish,” said Dave Wellman, District I Fisheries Biologist for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “But you know, I still like to pan fish.”

Pan fishing isn’t difficult and by no means is it expensive.  The key elements are a bobber, a hook, and a can of worms.  There is no shortage of fish and certainly no shortage of action.  Success and immediate activity are nearly guaranteed.

“It’s something we haven’t focused on nearly as much,” said Wellman of the DNR’s work in the area. “But it’s something I want to see us focus on in the future, whether it’s our state agency trying to manage those fisheries a little better or folks going out and just focusing on catching them.”

There are numerous ponds, lakes, rivers, and creeks in West Virginia which offer opportunity.

“Within our district, starting this year, we’ve started a project to look at several small impoundments and how we can improve panfishing, whether it’s bluegill, crappie, or what have you,” said Wellman. “That’s one way that a lot of folks are drawn into fishing, especially as a kid.”

Wellman and the DNR hope to enhance those opportunities and use them to help anglers rediscover the enjoyment of simple panfishing pursuits.





More Outdoors

Outdoors
Gold Rush to run April 1-13 across West Virginia
Starting Monday, the streams of West Virginia will have a golden hue in hope of attracting anglers young and old
March 27, 2024 - 2:10 pm
News
Final elk from USFS facility in Western Ky. have arrived in West Virginia
DNR officials say a large number of the cows received are bred and will start dropping calves in May
March 21, 2024 - 3:06 pm
Outdoors
Mason County angler hauls in a record bowfin
Lauren Noble of Letart, W.Va. was looking for pre-spawn bass, but found another hungry mouth in the an Ohio River backwater in Mason County this week
March 15, 2024 - 10:15 am
Outdoors
Barnick wins air rifle; Mountaineers finish runner-up to TCU
West Virginia had individual champions in both events for the first time in seven years, but narrowly missed out on a 20th National Championship.
March 9, 2024 - 10:27 pm