Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : December 16, 2005

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3380 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Bret Preston, Wildlife Resources Section (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

WVDNR Completes 2005 Fish Stockings in Ohio River

  The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources recently completed stocking largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, native walleye, hybrid striped bass, and paddlefish into the Ohio River , according to Bret Preston , Assistant Chief for Warmwater Fisheries Management. These fish stockings are part of the agency's Ohio River Fisheries Management Plan which was implemented this year.

  All fish were reared at either the Apple Grove or Palestine State Fish hatcheries and stocked by DNR Staff during the summer and fall. More than 47,000 largemouth bass were stocked into the Willow Island and Belleville pools, as well as an additional 3,300 smallmouth bass into the Hannibal Pool. Bass fingerlings ranged in size from 3-14 inches with the larger individuals stocked in late October. More than 85,000 native walleye fingerlings 2-3 inches in length were stocked into the Hannibal and Pike Island pools. In addition, DNR staff stocked 2-3 inch hybrid striped bass fingerlings into the Pike Island Pool (16,600), Hannibal Pool (33,000), and Willow Island Pool (24,900). More than 4,100 paddlefish also were stocked into several Ohio River pools. Blue catfish stockings were delayed until early spring because of slow growth and the onset of colder water temperatures.

  These stockings comprised one task of the multi-species management of Ohio River fisheries. Other tasks currently ongoing include fish habitat enhancement and new angling regulations for walleye and blue catfish. DNR fishery staff will continue to conduct management activities as prescribed in the Ohio River Fishery Management Plan to provide enhanced opportunities for a wide diversity of anglers.

**DNR**

Click Here To Return To The Previous Page