Important Notices

Gill Lice Detected in Rainbow Trout in VirginiaFisheries biologists with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) recently identified gill lice on rainbow trout in a stream in southwestern Virginia. We are now asking anglers to assist us in determining the extent of gill lice by being on the lookout while fishing their favorite trout stream. Learn more about gill lice and how you can help.

Trout Stocking Program Notices Announcement of stockings via the Daily Trout Stocking webpage and the Trout Line (434-525-3474) will resume on October 1, 2022.

Virginia contains over 3,500 miles of trout streams, in addition to numerous ponds, small lakes and reservoirs. The total includes over 2,900 miles of wild trout streams and about 600 miles of water inhabited with stocked trout. Virginia’s diversified trout habitat offers a wide range of trout fishing opportunities.

• Changes/Updates
• Tiger Trout in Virginia
• Trout Season and Limits
• Where to Go Trout Fishing (Interactive Map)
• Designated Trout Waters (Catchable Trout Stocking Waters)
• Pre-Announced Stocked Trout Waters
• Catchable Trout Stocking Plan (PDF)
• Daily Trout Stocking Information
• Trout Heritage Day
• Urban Program Waters
• Kids Fishing Events
• Youth-Only Stocked Trout Program
• Special Regulation Trout Waters
• Delayed Harvest Waters
• Fee Fishing Areas
• Trout Lakes
• Shenandoah National Park & Blue Ridge Parkway Waters
• Artificial Lure Definition
• Landowner Permits
• License Requirements
• Freshwater Fish Citations
• Didymo in Virginia

Trout Management in Virginia

Trout management in Virginia consists of three basic programs.

• The Catchable Trout Stocking Program is the best known and most popular. “Designated Stocked Trout Waters” are stocked from October through May with catchable-sized trout. See the Trout Stocking Plan for the streams and lakes stocked and their stocking schedule.
  • Stocked Trout Management Plan (2016–2025)
• The Wild Trout Program includes the management of reproducing populations of brook, rainbow, and brown trout. Efforts are directed primarily at habitat preservation and proper regulation for protection of spawning stocks.
  • Wild Trout Management Plan (2019–2028)
• The Fingerling Trout Stocking Program involves stocking sublegal trout into waters that have cold summer water temperatures and a good food source. This is the smallest of the three programs, but includes many of our high quality, special regulation trout fishing waters.