The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has started the trout stocking season. Catchable-size trout will be stocked into more than 200 waters throughout Virginia.
Stockings have already taken place in Grayson County in Elk Creek and Hales Creek, Peak Creek in Pulaski, Chestnut Creek in Carroll County and Wolf Creek in Giles and Bland.
Construction to repair damage from Hurricane Helene at the U.S. Forest Service’s Raven Cliff Recreation Area in Wythe County began earlier this year and will continue through early 2027. To ensure visitor safety, the Raven Cliff Recreation Area will be closed to the public.
Stockings for Cripple Creek are split between Raven Cliff and a lower stocked section near the Collins Cove Horse Camp. Until the construction is complete at Raven Cliff, all stockings allocated for Cripple Creek will occur at Collins Cove.
Dredging and other work at the U.S. Forest Service’s Beartree Lake is nearing completion. The lake had been drawn down for this work and is in the process of refilling but the speed at which that occurs will be dependent on rainfall. DWR will attempt to stock Beartree Lake this season but only when water conditions allow. If DWR is not able to stock in Beartree Lake, these fish will be used to supplement scheduled stockings in nearby streams.
The stocked section of Lovill’s Creek in Carroll County is being permanently removed from DWR’s stocked trout program beginning this season. Recent property posting has greatly reduced the amount of stream that is accessible to the public.
Due to road closures at the U.S. Forest Service’s Hanging Rock Day Use Area, the stocked section of Little Stony Creek in Scott County will not be stocked until the roads are reopened.
Fall is one of the best times for brook trout fishing in Virginia, especially on the Commonwealth’s high-elevation mountain streams.
Trout stockings will now be announced on the third Friday of the month for the following month. Announced stockings may be rescheduled due to weather, equipment failure, staff shortages, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
