Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : May 11, 2005

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

Contact: Curtis Taylor , Wildlife Resources Section Chief (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

Results of the 2004 Trophy Fish Citation Program

  More than 1,100 trophy fish citations were issued to anglers in 2004, according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section. “The trophy citation program began in 1976 and has recognized 51,454 anglers for their outstanding catches,” Taylor said. The 2004 trophy citation program marked the first year of issuing length only citations in addition to the certified weight citation. This allows anglers to practice catch-and-release and still receive a trophy citation. “We issued 255 length only citations in 2004,” said Taylor . “That indicates a good level of support for the change.”

  Rainbow trout led the 2004 list of trophy fish with 311 citations, followed by: brook trout – 191; flathead catfish – 93; channel catfish – 90; largemouth bass – 82; brown trout – 76; smallmouth bass – 63; carp – 37; golden rainbow trout – 29; sunfish – 27; walleye – 22; crappie – 19; hybrid striped bass – 16; muskellunge – 16; spotted bass – 7; yellow perch – 7; sauger – 6; freshwater drum – 4; northern pike – 3; rock bass – 2; bullhead – 1; and chain pickerel – 1.

  Major waters producing trophy fish and the number of citations issued were: South Branch of the Potomac – 130; Private Lakes and Ponds – 106; New River – 103; Kanawha River – 39; Shavers Fork – 39; Stonecoal Lake – 34; Cranberry River – 29; Greenbrier River – 25; Little Bear Lake – 25; Ohio River – 24; North Fork of the South Branch – 23; Mountwood Lake – 22; Stonewall Jackson Lake – 20; Gauley River – 18; Elk River – 18; Bluestone Lake – 17; Brushy Fork Lake – 17; Summit Lake – 17; Barboursville Lake – 15; Buffalo Fork Lake – 15; Guyandotte River – 15; Ridenour Lake – 15; Burnsville Lake – 14; Summersville Lake – 12; Spruce Knob Lake – 11; Sleepy Creek Lake – 10; Tracy Lake – 10; and West Fork River – 10.

  The trophy fish citation is awarded for 26 species and information on the program can be found in the West Virginia Fishing Regulations or on the DNR website, www.wvdnr.gov . Applications are also available at license agents.

  Anglers are encouraged to become familiar with the minimum citation length and weight requirements and reporting procedures in the 2005 Fishing Regulations.

**DNR**