Explore West Virginia Outdoors: Hunting, Fishing, Wildlife & Parks

Acres of wide-open public lands. Expansive lakes and flowing streams. Abundant wildlife that calls the mountains home. This is West Virginia. A place where you can discover nature in a new way and enjoy world-class hunting and fishing opportunities.

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Hunting

Hunting

Retreat into the West Virginia wilderness for world-class hunting. Acres of wide-open public lands await for your next hunting excursion.

Fishing

Fishing

A fisherman’s dream, West Virginia is home to 20,000+ miles of streams and 100+ fishing lakes. Cast your line in wide-open lakes and expansive rivers.

Featured Articles

Ultimate summer fishing guide for Tygart Lake

Discover the best fishing spots, recommended gear and pro tips for an unforgettable adventure Whether you’re a seasoned angler tuned into the whisper of the line or a novice drawn to the serene beauty of the lake, Tygart Lake in…

Pro tips to help you become a West Virginia Master Angler in 2024

Complete six slams and receive West Virginia’s most prestigious fishing award So, you want to be a Master Angler? To earn your stripes, you’ll need to complete six slams, each requiring you to reel in specific fish species that meet…

Participate in wildlife conservation with these 4 WVDNR citizen science surveys

Your collaboration will help biologists monitor the population of native species Have you ever wanted to be part of a team studying native wildlife? Now you can combine your love of nature with your passion for discovery by helping the…

7 bucket list items to help you celebrate West Virginia Gold Rush’s 7th year

Plan the ultimate Gold Rush fishing trip and explore 68 of West Virginia’s most popular lakes and streams The West Virginia Gold Rush is returning for its seventh year on April 1-13, bigger and better than ever! For two weeks,…

Cast a line at one of these 5 streams in West Virginia this spring

Experience the essence of spring fishing at these Almost Heaven streams Spring brings a spirit of revival and fresh starts — not just for nature but for our hobbies and passions. If your fishing routine has become a little stale…

Spring gobbler season arrives April 15 in West Virginia

Hunting safety tips, essential gear and best hunting locations to help you enjoy turkey hunting in West Virginia Spring is just around the corner in West Virginia, and soon, the forests will come alive with the sights and sounds of…

WV DNR Police guide Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy Cadets on second annual deer hunt

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) Police officers from District four and District six partnered with the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy (MCA) for two deer hunts. Officers took 16 cadets through a hunter education course and then an antlerless deer…

Angler catches tagged trout – you won’t believe what happened next!

There’s nothing more exciting than feeling a tug at the end of your line and reeling in a monster trout in West Virginia — except for maybe reeling in a tagged monster trout. That’s what happened to Dylan Young during…

Buyer’s guide to 2024 hunting and fishing licenses in West Virginia

Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or angler or a first-time explorer venturing into the world of hunting and fishing, your journey begins with a license. That might not sound exciting, but a license is your ticket to outdoor adventures in…

Gift the Outdoors: WVDNR Holiday Gift Guide

Need a little help finding a gift for the hunter, angler or outdoors lover in your family? To make your holiday shopping easier this year, we’ve partnered with the West Virginia Department of Tourism to bring you a Holiday Gift…

Win Big with the Big Buck Photo Contest

Whether you’ve hunted for decades or it’s your first time in the woods, this fall you can experience hunting in West Virginia’s beautiful hills and enter to win some fantastic prizes. This year’s Big Buck Photo Contest just got announced,…

Want to get your art featured in the WV Wildlife Calendar? Here’s how.

If you’re an artist who’s painted popular game or fish species or other West Virginia wildlife such as snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders, bats, songbirds, small mammals or non-game fish, the WVDNR is seeking artwork for next year’s calendar and offering…

WORLD-CLASS HUNTING & FISHING OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT IN #ALMOSTHEAVEN