Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
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West Virginia
State, United States. Authority : West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- US$552Resident Lifetime Fishing (Class B-L)
- Next opening
- —
- Minimum sizes
- 76.2 cmMuskellunge / tiger musky
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearBacklit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Muskellunge 76.2 cm here.
€32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Jointed Big Bait 22 cm, 115 gFor : northern pike, wels catfish · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€57.90£39.90Not shipped to the United States
Assorted Wobbling Spoons in a BoxFor : brown trout, rainbow trout, european perch · spoon and spinner fishing
€32.90£17.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
Not published by the authority: check with West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR).
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–80 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (smallmouth, largemouth, spotted)1 no statewide minimum; special regulation waters apply | not published | |
| Muskellunge / tiger musky1 statewide; special waters 40 in or 52 in | 76.2 cm | |
| Northern pike1 statewide | 76.2 cm | |
| Walleye1 no statewide minimum; special regulation waters apply | not published |
To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 76.2 cm here. Backlit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass (smallmouth, largemouth, spotted combined)1 possession 12 | 6 per day |
| Trout (rainbow, golden, brook, tiger, brown combined)1 no min size; possession 12 | 6 per day |
| Muskellunge1 30 in min | 1 per day |
| Tiger musky1 30 in min | 1 per day |
| Northern pike1 30 in min | 1 per day |
| Walleye1 statewide; Ohio River 6 walleye/sauger/saugeye aggregate | 8 per day |
| Sauger1 statewide | 8 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Fishing (Class B) + required Conservation Stamp (Class CS)1 | calendar year | US$24 |
| Resident Fishing (Class B)1 | annual (calendar year) | US$19 |
| Resident Conservation Stamp (Class CS), required with Class B/L1 | annual | US$5 |
| Resident Five-day Fishing (Class L)1 | 5-day | US$8 |
| Resident Trout Fishing Stamp (Class O)1 | annual | US$10 |
| Resident Sportsman Hunting/Fishing/Trapping (Class X), 18-641 | annual | US$35 |
| Resident Sportsman Plus incl. trout stamp (Class XP)1 | annual | US$45 |
| Resident Junior Sportsman (Class XJ), 15-171 | annual | US$16 |
| Resident Senior Hunting/Trapping/Fishing (Class XS), 65+ (incl. trout stamp)1 | listed with lifetime licenses | US$25 |
| Resident Lifetime Fishing (Class B-L)1 | lifetime | US$552 |
| Nonresident Fishing (Class F)1 | annual (calendar year) | US$37 |
| Nonresident One Day Fishing (Class LL), per day1 | 1-day | US$3 |
| Nonresident Conservation/Law Enforcement Stamp (Class CS/LE), required with F and LL1 | annual | US$13 |
| Nonresident Trout Fishing Stamp (Class OO)1 | annual | US$16 |
| Nonresident Junior Sportsman (Class XXJ), 8-171 | annual | US$16 |
- Ages and exemptions1
- Fishing license not required for nonresidents or residents under 15 years of age, nor for residents who turned 65 before Jan. 1, 2012 (born before Jan. 1, 1947). Residents reaching 65 on or after Jan. 1, 2012 need the Senior license (Class XS, $25).
Good to know
Licenses valid for the calendar year. Conservation stamp mandatory (resident $5, nonresident $13) on top of base license; trout stamp needed for trout. Many special bass regulation waters (catch-and-release, 1 over 18/20/22 in).
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- no explicit statewide trout season statement found in 2026 summary (several waters listed as 'trout year-round' fishing spots)
- no nonresident 3/7-day license (only 1-day Class LL per day)
- walleye statewide minimum: none per table; page-9 special regulations not captured
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Summersville Lake lake, Nicholas County
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Walleye View on the map - Stonewall Jackson Lake lake, Lewis County
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Muskellunge, Walleye View on the map - Bluestone Lake lake, Summers County
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Muskellunge View on the map - Tygart Lake lake, Taylor, Barbour Counties
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Muskellunge, Walleye View on the map - Cheat Lake lake, Monongalia County
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Walleye View on the map - Sutton Lake lake, Braxton, Webster Counties
Largemouth bass View on the map - Mount Storm Lake lake, Grant County
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Walleye View on the map - East Lynn Lake lake, Wayne County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish View on the map - Burnsville Lake lake, Braxton County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Muskellunge, Walleye View on the map - Jennings Randolph Lake lake, Mineral County
Channel catfish, Walleye View on the map - Beech Fork Lake lake, Wayne, Cabell Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish View on the map - R.D. Bailey Lake lake, Wyoming, Mingo Counties
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Walleye View on the map - Stonecoal Lake lake, Lewis, Upshur Counties
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Muskellunge, Walleye View on the map - Stephens Lake lake, Raleigh County
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Walleye View on the map - Upper Mud Lake lake, Lincoln County View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in West Virginia in 2026?
The “Resident Lifetime Fishing (Class B-L)” licence costs US$552 (lifetime). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in West Virginia?
Muskellunge: 76.2 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- West Virginia Fishing Regulations Summary 2026 (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- WVDNR Buy a license (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Buyer's Guide: 2026 West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Licenses (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked : 23 September 2026.