The DGIF’s stocked trout program is a privilege made possible by landowners allowing public fishing access. These landowners include private citizens, private companies, localities, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States Forest Service.
Access to stocked trout waters can be lost due to poor angler behavior. Angling pressure is increased for a short period of time when stocking is announced in advance.
Trout anglers are asked to respect private property, pack out all trash, and park their vehicles in safe areas.
Stocking times may vary depending on the distance from the hatchery to the receiving water but most stocking will occur between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. There will be no temporary stream or lake closures associated with these stocking events. The DGIF may postpone or change the date of any of these stocking events due to circumstances that compromise the resource or public safety.
Here are the pre-announced trout stocking dates for spring, 2018:
South River – Ridgeview Park & Grottoes Park (Augusta/Rockingham Co.) March 23, 2018
Jackson River – Hidden Valley (Bath Co.) April 27, 2018
North River – Upper & Gorge (Augusta Co.) March 28, 2018
Mint Springs Lake (Albemarle Co.) March 31, 2018
Rural Retreat Pond (Wythe Co.) April 14, 2018
Barbour’s Creek (Craig Co.) April 28, 2018
Middle Fork Holston River (Smyth Co.) May 26, 2018
South Fork Powell River (Wise Co.) May 5, 2018
Roanoke River (Roanoke City) May 5, 2018
Pigg River (Franklin Co.) March 23, 2018
Liberty Lake (Bedford Co.) March 17, 2018
In Virginia, the following regulation changes are new for 2018:
Non-Native (Exotic Animals)
Anglers may legally harvest grass carp from public waters of Virginia, except from Department-owned or Department controlled lakes.
Trout. The fee fishing areas are closed to angling from April 2-6. Heritage Waters are closed on Friday, April 6. On April 7, fishing can begin at 9 a.m.
A trout license is not required to fish designated stocked trout waters during Free Fishing Days, June 1-3, 2018.
Waters announced for the 2018 Youth-only Stocked Trout Program.
Cook Lake (Alexandria), Hearthstone Lake (Augusta Co.) and Swift Run (Greene Co.) will not be stocked in 2018.
Big Tumbling Creek Seasonal Catch and Release Area. This section will be managed as a stocked catch and release area during the period that the Fee Area is not in operation. Catchable sized trout will be stocked during this period and anglers may fish with artificial lures only. No trout or bait may be in possession while fishing this area.