Best Fishing Times in West Virginia This Week
Near Elkins, Summersville and Wheeling: today on a 24 hour timeline and the next seven days rated Fair to Best.
Working out the moon and the sun for Elkins, WV, and reading the forecast.
Fishing somewhere else? Enter any ZIP for your own spot
Photo: “Fall fishing on the Madison River at sunrise”, Jacob W. Frank, Yellowstone National Park (NPS), Public domain
West Virginia at a glance
Solunar windows plus the agency calendarWhen fish bite in West Virginia
West Virginia's fishing year turns on trout stocked January through May and again in October, late spring bass, fall smallmouth on the New River, and winter walleye and sauger on the Ohio River.
Each entry below is from West Virginia Division of Natural Resources or its published guides, quoted word for word and linked. Line the season up with the week above: a run in its prime and a Great day with a window at first light is the morning to take off.
- January through May, and October
Trout
Trout are stocked from January through May each year, and again for two weeks each October.
“Trout are stocked from January through May each year, and for two weeks each October.”
Fishing in West Virginia — All Fun All Year, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, read October 9, 2026 - Late spring
Bass and sunfish
In late spring, warming water means bass and sunfish feed more actively before spawning, and stocked waters still hold good numbers of trout.
“Late spring is a perfect time for a fishing adventure in West Virginia! Streams and lakes stocked with trout still have excellent numbers of trout to pursue, and warming waters mean that warm-water species, such as bass and sunfish, are more actively feeding in preparation for spawning.”
Your Spring Fishing Guide to West Virginia, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, read October 9, 2026 - Fall
Smallmouth bass
On the New River, listed among the state's top fall fishing spots, fish morning and evening for the best action. Smallmouth bass key in on anything resembling crayfish.
“Fish morning and evening for the best action. Smallmouth bass will key in on anything resembling crayfish.”
Top WV Lakes And Streams For Fall Fishing Adventures, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, read October 9, 2026 - Winter
Walleye and sauger
In winter, walleye and sauger gather below the tailwaters on the Ohio River.
“River anglers on the Ohio River can find walleye and sauger congregating below tailwaters.”
Your Guide to Winter Fishing in West Virginia, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, read October 9, 2026
License and stocking in West Virginia
Reading the West Virginia timeline
Each day has two major solunar periods of about two hours, centered on the moon overhead and underfoot, and two minor periods of about an hour at moonrise and moonset. A window within an hour of sunrise or sunset is marked in gold. The rating adds the moon phase, the gold windows and a capped nudge from the National Weather Service forecast for each town. Every factor and its points.
Dawn and dusk are the reliable part; the moon windows are the old angler’s rule.
