Following an agreement between the state Division of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, trout stocking will resume on its normal schedule in four southern West Virginia streams starting in May.
Earlier this year, the stocking of trout was put on hold for several creeks statewide, while the frequency of stocking in 20 other trout streams was initially reduced. The creeks to be stocked that were on hold were:
Pinnacle Creek, Wyoming County
Camp Creek, Mercer County
North Fork of Cherry River, Greenbrier County
Laurel Creek of Cherry River, Greenbrier and Nicholas counties
At issue were concerns by the Fish and Wildlife Service about how the continued planting of trout could affect endangered species known to exist in the 24 stocked trout streams.
The candy darter, a small, brightly colored fish listed as an endangered species in 2016 and known to exist in portions of the Greenbrier and Gauley River watersheds.
The endangered Guyandotte River crayfish, known to exist in segments of only two streams, both in Wyoming County.
The threatened Big Sandy crayfish, found in only six isolated populations in the Big Sandy River watershed, including sites in Mingo and McDowell counties.
As part of the agreement, West Virginia University will conduct food habitat studies in the affected streams to help ensure the continued co-existence of both trout and the three federally listed species.
For a complete listing of the West Virginia DNR’s trout stocking schedule, see pages 14-15 here: .
Rick Steelhammer is a features reporter. He can be reached at 304-348-5169 or rsteelhammer@hdmediallc.com. Follow on Twitter.
