Top Trout Streams Located in Nicholas County, West Virginia

The town of Richwood, West Virginia is home to some beautiful trout streams. Most of the streams are stocked by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources in the spring and fall of every year. Also, many of the streams contain native trout, which requires some angling skills to land one because the native trout is spooked very easily.

The following streams located in Nicholas County, West Virginia are some of the top trout waters within the state of West Virginia:

Cherry River

This river flows through Richwood, West Virginia and is stocked once in February and twice a month from March till May. The Cherry River is stocked from the town of Fenwick, WV down to the mouth of the Cherry River, which is about 5 miles long.

Cranberry River

This river is the biggest trout stream attraction in the area. Many come from all over to fish and camp in what is known as the Cranberry Everglades. This river is stocked about 16 miles from the Woodbine Recreation Area down to Dogway Fork. The Cranberry River flows through Nicholas, Pocahontas and Webster County. The Cranberry River is stocked once in January, twice in February, and weekly March through May. Also, WV DNR stocks the Cranberry twice in October of every year. The Cranberry River is cold just about all year long and you can catch some holdover trout year after year.

The Cranberry River also has about a mile of the river from the Woodbine Recreation Area down to Camp Splinter that is designated catch and release. This part of the river is stocked once in April of every year. You can access this part of the stream along Route 76 from Richwood. You cannot use barbed hooks on this section of the Cranberry River and any trout caught in this designated area must be released.

Deer Creek

This creek in Nicholas County is stocked about 1-mile below and 1-mile above West Virginia Route 39. Deer Creek is located about a mile from Canvas, West Virginia. This creek is stocked monthly from February to May of each year.

Laurel Creek

This creek flows through Nicholas and Greenbrier County in West Virginia and is stocked from Jettsville to Ford, which is approximately 1.5 miles. This creek is also stocked once from February to May of each year.

North Fork of Cherry River

This river is the upper part of the Cherry River and is stocked about Æ'''¼ of mile above the catch and release area to the bridge near Carpenter's Run. The North Fork of Cherry flows through Nicholas and Greenbrier Counties. This river is stocked once in February and every two weeks during March through May of each year.

South Fork of Cherry River

The South Fork of the Cherry is the lower part of the Cherry River and is stocked 1-mile above Richwood to Cold Knob Fork, which is approximately 9-miles. This river is also flows through Nicholas and Greenbrier Counties. This river is stocked once in February and every two weeks during March through May of each year.

Summersville Lake Tailwaters

This part of the lake that flows into the Gauley River is stocked from the dam 2 miles downstream. This river is stocked once in February and every two weeks during March through May of each year. Also, this section is stocked twice in February. If you go on the right side of the dam you'll more than likely run into whitewater rafters. However, if you park at the top of the dam and hike down to the Gauley on the left side you'll more than likely be by yourself and you can navigate your way down the bank. You'll catch a lot of trout in this area. Also, this area is stocked with brood trout, so you may hook you nice size trout.

All these streams are filled with trout. You'll enjoy spending a day fishing one or a combination of the listed trout streams. All the streams are accessed easily, except for the South Fork of the Cherry and Cranberry River. The South Fork of the Cherry road can be a little rough, but if you have four-wheel drive then you'll have no problem. Cranberry River is mostly accessible by foot or bike since no cars can go past the camping area. You can access the Cranberry from the top of the mountain going through Richwood or you can drive down to the lower end and hike or bike your way up into the Cranberry Wilderness.

Source:
Personal Experience
www.wvdnr.gov