Trout Fishing Guide

Important Notices

Trout Stocking Changes in Southwest Virginia Resulting from Hurricane HeleneDue to the recent devastation resulting from Hurricane Helene the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will suspend trout stocking in the streams listed below until further notice. These areas were the most heavily impacted in the region and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The decision to suspend trout stocking was made with public safety in mind and to allow recovery efforts to continue unimpeded. DWR appreciates our trout anglers’ patience as the area tries to recover from this devastating event. Trout Waters Closed to Stocking (Updated December 18, 2024) Scott County Bark Camp Lake (USFS) Washington County Straight Branch (USFS) Tennessee Laurel Valley Creek Whitetop Laurel (lower) (USFS) Please note that as a result of the damage to Route 58 near Damascus, the upper stocked section of Whitetop Laurel Creek and Beartree Lake are only accessible by traveling from the east (from Konnarock) on Route 58. Smyth County Due to remaining damage to Comers Creek Road, anglers should avoid accessing Comers Creek from the north off of Teas Road.

Virginia contains over 3,500 miles of trout streams, in addition to numerous ponds, small lakes and reservoirs. The total includes over 2,900 miles of wild trout streams and about 600 miles of water inhabited with stocked trout. Virginia’s diversified trout habitat offers a wide range of trout fishing opportunities.

• Trout Fishing Changes & Updates for 2024
• Tiger Trout in Virginia
• Trout Season and Limits
• Where to Go Trout Fishing (Interactive Map)
• Daily Trout Stocking Information
• Designated Trout Waters (Catchable Trout Stocking Waters)
• Pre-Announced Stocked Trout Waters
• Catchable Trout Stocking Plan (PDF)
• Trout Heritage Day
• Urban Program Waters
• Kids Fishing Events
• Youth-Only Stocked Trout Program
• Special Regulation Trout Waters
• Delayed Harvest Waters
• Fee Fishing Areas
• Trout Lakes
• Special Trout Areas: Shenandoah National Park & Blue Ridge Parkway Waters
• Artificial Lure Definition
• Landowner Permits
• License Requirements for Trout Fishing
• Freshwater Fish Citations
• Didymo in Virginia

Trout Management in Virginia

Trout management in Virginia consists of three basic programs.

• The Catchable Trout Stocking Program is the best known and most popular. “Designated Stocked Trout Waters” are stocked from October through May with catchable-sized trout. See the Trout Stocking Plan for the streams and lakes stocked and their stocking schedule.
  • Stocked Trout Management Plan (2016–2025)
• The Wild Trout Program includes the management of reproducing populations of brook, rainbow, and brown trout. Efforts are directed primarily at habitat preservation and proper regulation for protection of spawning stocks.
  • Wild Trout Management Plan (2019–2028)
• The Fingerling Trout Stocking Program involves stocking sublegal trout into waters that have cold summer water temperatures and a good food source. This is the smallest of the three programs, but includes many of our high quality, special regulation trout fishing waters.