West Virginia Smallmouth Fishing

West Virginia is an excellent destination for who enjoy catching the acrobatic smallmouth bass. Some of the premiere smallmouth action in West Virginia exists in the New River, with other waterways such as the Tygart, Elk and Gauley Rivers ideal for pursuing this species.

History

The current state record as of November 2009 is a 9 lb., 12 oz. giant caught in 1971.

Size

Unless otherwise specified there is no minimum length limit on smallmouth in West Virginia. Lakes such as Beech Fork and Chief Logan as well as all of Wheeling Creek have a 12-inch minimum for smallmouth to be legal.

Catch-and-Release

West Virginia has special catch-and-release waters for smallmouth where an individual can fish for these bass but must immediately release them. These lakes include North Bend, Woodrum, Upper Mud and Stonewall Jackson Lake.

Limits

An angler may keep as many as six individual smallmouth bass during a day of fishing, while a group of anglers together can keep a total between them of twelve.

Slot Limits

Some lakes and streams impose a slot limit on smallmouth, which simply means that an angler may not retain any fish he catches that are between 12 and 16 inches long.

References

• Regulations Summary:West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
• 10 Great Summer Float Trips for SmalliesWest Virginia Game and Fish
• West Virginia Records:Landbigfish