Tackle the Wild and Wonderful Waters of Marion County

March 10, 2015

Explore the wild and wonderful that makes West Virginia almost heaven. Whether you are a local or just passing through, don’t miss out on the fantastic fishing Marion County has to offer. Take home a trophy or brag about the one that got away.

Tackle our lakes, rivers, and streams to find:

poster with various fish species

  • Trout
  • Largemouth & Smallmouth bass
  • Channel catfish
  • Northern pike
  • Perch
  • Muskie
  • Crappie
  • Bluegill

Now that you know what you’ll find, where should you go to cast your line?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERACurtisville Lake and Campground

This 700 acres of lush scenery with a 70-acre lake (non-motorized boats only) is the perfect spot to fish and enjoy the outdoors. But be prepared to experience the nature of Marion County up close because you won’t find a lodge on the property – so don’t forget your tent or RV!

What else does Curtisville Lake offer:

  • Over four miles of hiking and biking trails
  • Picnicking
  • If you’re not into “roughing it”, you’ll find a bathroom, playground, shelter, and spacious RV sites with electric hookups
  • Primitive camping with each site featuring a fire ring and picnic table

Curtisville Lake is also the site of MCPARC’s Annual Family Fishing Day
Held the Friday before Easter, this FREE event is designed for families to encourage everyone to get outdoors and enjoy a truly recreational lifestyle while learning about the joys of fishing. Children over 15 years of age need a license.  Registration begins at 9:30 and casting begins at 10:00.

Fishing in the Mannington area

  • Flat Run Lake – This lake provides a warm-water fishery for sunfish and largemouth bass. Channel catfish fingerlings are stocked every other year.
  • Huey Run Lake – The perfect spot to catch sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish and northern pike. Trout are stocked twice a year in the spring. Red worms work great for bluegill.
  • Big Run Lake – Provides some of the best largemouth bass fishing between April and June.
  • Hough Park – Situated along Buffalo Creek, you’ll likely find large and small-mouth bass, and depending on where you cast your line, carp, catfish, and drum.  You will also find a playground and a picnic area close by.

Stop by Main Street Trader and stock up on all your fishing gear.

people in a red canoe getting into the river using a kayak/canoe launch

Other key fishing sites in Marion County include:

  • West Fork River at Everson Bridge – Provides great carry-down access for small boats. This is locally popular for fishing and is stocked with muskellunge. Other fish species in the river include carp; channel and flathead catfish; golden and rainbow trout; largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass; sauger; and walleye.
  • Along the Monongahela River, Prickett’s Fort State Park features a concrete ramp, courtesy docks, restrooms, lighting, and drinking water.
  • Worthington Park – Another great carry-down access location for canoes and kayaks. Located beside the West Fork River Rail Trail the park is a beautiful 10-acre waterfront dam and park offering a wonderful place to fish. The river is stocked with several species, including hybrid bluegill, catfish, and largemouth bass. Other fun activities include softball, basketball and horseshoe courts.
  • Whiteday Creek – A wonderful stream to catch those stockers! Trout that is!
  • Guyses Run Fishing Park– Catch and release fishing park. Species of fish include trout, hybrid bluegill, catfish, largemouth bass, and hybrid striped bass. ​No fishing license required. ​Accommodations are available for group reservations.  All fish are catch and release, except for the trout which can be taken at $4.00 per trout. man fishing in a river with waterfalls in the background
  • Test your whitewater skills on the Tygart Valley River at Valley Falls State Park.  Expect to catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, white bass, yellow perch, muskie, and northern pike.  addition to fishing, picnicking, and kayaking, you can explore 18 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.
  • Palatine Park – Beautifully situated along the east bank of the Monongahela River, the park provides access to the river for fishing, boating, and other water sports. A three-lane ADA accessible boat ramp and dock and a kayak/canoe launch flank either side of the park. You will likely find Channel catfish, Flathead catfish, and Smallmouth bass.
  • Rivesville – Set along the Paw Paw Creek, Rivesville offers great fishing and boating opportunities with its 14.4-mile-long tributary of the Monongahela River. The creek is stocked once in February and once every two weeks from March through May.

Before you head out, you might want to read up on fishing requirements and the WV stocking schedule.

Where’s your favorite fishing hole in Marion County?