The hatchery trucks are on the move. Though streams are a bit low, trout will soon find their way from the hatchery raceways to the gurgling currents of mountain brooks. Let the fall trout fishing begin.
Virginia contains over 3,500 miles of trout streams, in addition to numerous ponds, small lakes and reservoirs. The total includes over 2,900 miles of wild trout streams and about 600 miles of water inhabited with stocked trout. Virginia’s diversified trout habitat offers a wide range of trout fishing opportunities.
Trout management in Virginia consists of three basic programs.
The Catchable Trout Stocking Program is the best known and most popular. “Designated Stocked Trout Waters” are stocked from October through May with catchable-sized trout.
The Wild Trout Program includes the management of reproducing populations of brook, rainbow, and brown trout. Efforts are directed primarily at habitat preservation and proper regulation for protection of spawning stocks.
The Fingerling Trout Stocking Program involves stocking sublegal trout into waters that have cold summer water temperatures and a good food source. This is the smallest of the three programs, but includes many of our high quality, special regulation trout fishing waters.
Saltwater Report
Speckled trout continue to dominate the saltwater news in Virginia. The Elizabeth River has been especially good. Both stripers and puppy drum are being caught in the inlets and tidal rivers. Some \ keeper stripers are being caught regularly in the lower Rapp.
Togs and sheepshead are coming from the lower bay around CBBT structures. Big red drum are now departing the bay on their way to the Carolinas.
There was an intense bluefish blitz reported on Ocracoke Island. Those blitzes have been few and far between in recent years. Some huge sea mullet (one of the best eating saltwater fish) on the OBX. Pier fishermen are loading up. Quality fishing for pups and specks continues in the sounds. The blue water fleet out of Oregon Inlet has been catching black fin tuna, Mahi, sailfish and Wahoo.