DIY Fly Fishing GuideDestinations map

Fly Fishing in West Virginia

25 featured rivers, lakes and streams in West Virginia, each with target species, a hatch chart and a map of nearby access.

Anthony Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
A beautiful tributary of the Greenbrier River that is heavily stocked and offers great wade fishing access along Blue Bend.
Big Run of Gandy (Brook Trout)
A high-altitude brook trout sanctuary located within the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area.
Blackwater River (Upper) (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Known for its 'tea-colored' tannic water, the upper section above the falls provides unique habitat for large brown trout.
Cacapon River (Smallmouth Bass)
A premier smallmouth bass river in the Eastern Panhandle, perfect for popping bugs and streamers in the summer.
Camp Five Run (Brook Trout)
A small, brushy tributary of the Cheat River that holds wild brook trout for those willing to 'blue line' and bushwhack.
Cranberry River (Backcountry) (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
The crown jewel of WV trout fishing, accessible only by foot or bicycle, offering world-class fly fishing in total solitude.
Dry Fork of Cheat River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
A high-gradient freestone stream flowing through the Monongahela National Forest, offering excellent dry fly action for wild and stocked fish.
Elk River (Upper) (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
A legendary limestone-influenced river near Slatyfork that offers some of the best wild brown trout fishing in the East.
Gandy Creek (Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout)
High elevation tributary known for its scenic meadow sections and a unique stretch where the water disappears into a cave system.
Glady Fork (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Offering miles of public access, this medium-sized stream features consistent hatches and is a favorite for wading anglers.
Greenbrier River (Upper) (Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout)
The longest undammed river in the East, the upper sections offer pristine floating and wading for smallmouth and trout.
Knapps Creek (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
A classic Pocahontas County stream featuring deep pools and long riffles, perfect for nymphing and streamer fishing.
Laurel Fork of Cheat (Brook Trout)
A remote, wilderness-style stream that requires hiking but rewards anglers with native brook trout in a pristine setting.
Left Fork of Holly River (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
Located within Holly River State Park, this stream offers scenic fishing for trout in a mature hardwood forest.
Milligan Creek (Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
A small, highly protected limestone spring creek in Greenbrier County with a strictly regulated wild trout population.
North Fork of Cherry River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
A rugged mountain river known for heavy stocking and a solid population of wild fish in its upper reaches.
North Fork of the South Branch Potomac (Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Famous for the 'Smoke Hole' canyon, this river offers trophy trout and world-class smallmouth bass fishing.
Red Creek (Brook Trout)
Located in the Dolly Sods Wilderness, this high-plateau stream offers incredible scenery and wild brook trout.
Second Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
A renowned fly-fishing only catch-and-release limestone stream known for its technical water and large, wary brown trout.
Shavers Fork (Cheat Mountain) (Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout)
The highest river in the eastern US, featuring a remote catch-and-release section accessible primarily by the Cheat Mountain Moonshine Express train.
Spruce Knob Lake (Rainbow Trout)
West Virginia's highest lake, providing a unique stillwater fly fishing experience for stocked trout in a sub-alpine environment.
Summersville Lake Tailwater (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
The Gauley River below the dam provides cool water year-round, allowing for a unique trout fishery in a deep canyon.
Sutton Lake Tailwater (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
The Elk River below Sutton Dam is a prime spot for winter fly fishing when other mountain streams are frozen.
Tygart Tailwater (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
A large tailwater fishery below Tygart Lake Dam that holds massive brown trout and aggressive walleye.
Williams River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
A classic freestone river with diverse water types, from slow flats to heavy pocket water, famous for its beauty and productivity.

Fly Fishing in West Virginia

Fly Fishing in Other States