Anawalt Lake stocked with trout, boosting spring fishing in McDowell County

Anawalt Lake was back on McDowell County anglers’ radar by the end of April 16, when the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources posted the lake on its freshly stocked trout list. For families looking for a low-cost outing close to home, that means one of the county’s most accessible public fishing spots just got a spring reset.

The McDowell County stop stood out on a statewide list that also included Cherry River, Edwards Run Pond, Elk River and other waters, but Anawalt Lake is the local name that matters here. Spring turkey season was also underway, a reminder that April has become a busy stretch for outdoor licenses, short trips and day plans that do not require leaving the county.

WVDNR said it does not release daily stocking schedules before fish go into the water. Instead, updates are posted at the end of each business day, and anglers can also check the hotline at 304-558-3399. That matters for anyone trying to decide whether to head out after work or on a weekend, because the reliable schedule is the one that has already happened, not the one passed around by rumor.

Anyone 15 or older fishing in West Virginia needs a valid fishing license and identification, and a trout stamp is required when fishing for trout. For McDowell County families trying to stretch recreation dollars, that paperwork is part of the trip before the first cast. A stocked lake only becomes a real weekend option when the license and stamp are in hand.

The stocking gives Anawalt Lake a practical boost at a time when close-to-home recreation still matters in McDowell County. It puts fresh trout in a county lake, draws anglers toward the water and can send a little extra traffic to nearby gas pumps, bait counters and lunch spots as spring fishing picks up.