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Whitetop Laurel and Straight Branch Trout Stocking Closures
Richmond, VA — Impacts from Hurricane Helene were widespread throughout Southwest Virginia, particularly the Mount Rogers Area around Damascus, which led to a complete closure of the Virginia Creeper Trail between Green Cove Station and Damascus. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026 to repair or replace several dozen trestle crossings and to rebuild the trail system. As a result of large-scale construction mobilization, heavy traffic along Highway 58, and public safety concerns, most of Whitetop Laurel and Straight Branch will not be stocked with catchable trout until further notice. Beartree Lake is currently undergoing renovation and dredging and will also not be stocked until completion of that project.
Anglers will continue to have access to the most upper stocked section of Whitetop Laurel near the community of Konnarock (see map), but angling access will not be allowed from Creek Junction downstream to the Highway 58/Highway 91 junction.
To mitigate for these changes, stocking allocations will be increased on nearby waters with trout that were intended for Whitetop Laurel, Straight Branch, and Beartree Lake. The following waters will have increased allocations until angling access reopens on the impacted waters:
- Tennessee Laurel
- Valley Creek
- South Fork Holston River
- Big Wilson Creek
It is uncertain how long these changes will be in effect, but normal stocking will be resumed as soon as possible. Updates and additional information regarding the trail closure can be found on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests page at the following link: www.fs.usda.gov/r08/gwj/alerts/virginia-creeper-trail-reconstruction-closures.
Trout stocking will not occur within the area marked by blue until Virginia Creeper Trail construction is completed. Anglers are encouraged to focus on other local waters including: Whitetop Laurel (upper), Tennessee Laurel, Valley Creek, South Fork Holston River, and Big Wilson Creek where additional trout will be stocked.