CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Division of Natural Resources announced plans Wednesday to stock golden rainbow trout at 20 additional locations around the state during next week’s previously announced Gold Rush.
In doing so, the DNR will add 15,000 golden trout to their previous stocking plan bringing the total number of golden trout to be stocked to 40,000, according to DNR Hatchery Program Manager Jim Hedrick.
“Thanks to the diligence and hard work of staff at the Bowden, Spring Run and Reeds Creek trout hatcheries, we have produced more golden trout than we expected when we announced this special event last fall,” Hedrick said in a news release. “Adding these new waters will bring the Gold Rush closer to home for many families.”
During next week’s West Virginia Gold Rush only golden rainbow trout will be stocked. The week was designed to “get families, children and new anglers excited about trout fishing by giving them a good opportunity to catch this popular fish,” the DNR said.
The new locations to be stocked are all lakes including: Anawalt Lake, Brandywine Lake, Brushy Fork Lake, Burnsville Tailwaters, Curtisville Lake, Edward Run Pond, Fort Ashby Reservoir, Kimsey Run Lake, Mill Creek Reservoir, New Creek Dam #14, Poorhouse Pond, Rock Cliff Lake, Rockhouse Lake, Seneca Lake, South Mill Creek Lake, Summit Lake, Sutton Tailwaters, Teter Creek Lake, Thomas Park Lake and Tuckahoe Lake.
Golden rainbow trout were first introduced in West Virginia in 1963 to celebrate the state’s centennial. They are usually stocked on a one-to-10 ratio with regular rainbow trout.