Gauley River National Recreation Area Freshwater Fishing Travel Guide

If you're an angler looking for some action, try your skill and luck on the Gauley and New rivers and some of their tributaries, and especially on Summersville Lake. These bodies of water are among the state's finest sport fisheries.
The Gauley and the lake are renowned for their gamefish, especially good-sized walleyes and muskellunges. The New is famed for its smallmouth bass. Other waterways, including the lake's tailwaters, are home to various kinds of stocked trout and native panfish.
Because access to good fishing spots can be problematic, especially on foot, check with local outfitters about where they can take you. Also ask them about float trips and special overnight fishing trips (with onshore Freshwater Fishing) on the New River.
Be sure to know the state's fishing licensing and regulations, including creel and size limits, what places and fish are off-limits, and catch-and-eat versus catch-and-release restrictions. Also familiarize yourself with the state's recommendations about limiting your intake of pollutant-contaminated fish.

Gauley River National Recreation Area

The 25 miles of Gauley River and six miles of Meadow River pass through scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide variety of natural features. Dropping more than 668 feet through 28 miles of rugged terrain, the Gauley is famous for its outstanding whitewater and is one of the most technical rivers in the nation. The Meadow River gradient averages 88 feet per mile. Read More

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Gauley River National Recreation Area Freshwater Fishing Travel Guide