CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The popular Gold Rush trout stocking for 2020 will be expanded. Originally scheduled to start March 31st, Gov. Jim Justice announced Thursday the special stockings would now encompass two weekends.
““Because so many West Virginians want to participate in this special event I wanted to give them an extra weekend to come out and bring their families and have a chance at catching one of these beautiful golden trout,” said Gov. Justice in a press release announcing the extension.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources plans to stock 50,000 golden rainbow trout during the week long special stocking. That’s in increase from 40,000 in 2018.
The agency has also added more tagged fish to the promotion with various prizes for each returned tag.
“This has been very, very popular. The fishing license sales and the people visiting the parks go through the roof. We’re going to add to it a little this year,” said DNR Director Steve McDaniel.
This will be the third year for the special Gold Rush stockings which will be done daily. Over the course of the week, fish will be placed in more than 60 streams and lakes across West Virginia. Among those stocking locations will be 16 State Park lake locations. The stockings will run from March 27th through April 4th.
“We’re doing a lot more promotions and tagging lot more fish with some special prizes,” said McDaniel.
Families who want to enjoy Gold Rush by taking a weekend trip to a participating West Virginia State Park can use the offer code GOLDRUSH20 at checkout on wvstateparks.com to save 20 percent off their lodge or cabin. More information is available at goldrushwv.com.