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DWR and NCWRC Collaborate to Enhance Musky Stocking Efforts in Virginia
Richmond, VA — In a continuing partnership, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will be working closely with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) to collect adult musky from the lower New River in early February. This joint effort aims to bolster musky populations in both states and meet the angling needs of Virginia’s fishing community.
Under this collaboration, DWR provides a small number of adult musky to NCWRC, which are then transported to NCWRC hatcheries for the production of fingerling musky for stocking in North Carolina. In return, DWR receives a substantial number of musky fingerlings for stocking throughout Virginia. This cooperative initiative has been the primary source of musky for stocking in the Commonwealth for several years.
Last spring, DWR supplied NCWRC with seven adult musky, consisting of two females and five males. In exchange, DWR received approximately 27,000 fingerlings that were released into various waters across Virginia. The adult fish taken to North Carolina are not reintroduced into Virginia waters to prevent disease transfer. In other best practices, DWR also ensures that collection locations are rotated to minimize impact on the population in any one area of the river.
The upcoming fish collection for 2024 will begin the week of February 5th in the area of Riverview Park in Radford.
“We are grateful to have this close relationship with our friends to the south of us as it greatly improves our ability to meet the needs of Virginia anglers,” said Jeff Williams, Regional Fisheries Manager at DWR. For further information, interested parties can contact Jeff Williams via email at [email protected] or by phone at (276) 783-4860.