Joe Manchin III, Governor
Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : August 10, 2007

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov
Contact: Scott Warner, Wildlife Resources Section (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

Fish Needed for Trophy Fish Display

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Looking for the big fish? So are the West Virginia Wildlife Federation and the Division of Natural Resources, which are currently seeking anglers who own trophy-size fish that were legally caught from West Virginia waters. These trophy fish will be included as part of a trophy fish display for National Hunting and Fishing Days, which is scheduled for Sept. 22 and 23 at Stonewall Resort State Park.

“Fishing in West Virginia is very popular and more anglers are catching citation-size fish,” said Kevin Yokum, district fisheries biologist who is overseeing this display. “Because of the attraction to big fish, we wanted to develop a display to showcase some of the trophy-size fish that have been caught in our own backyard. This will be the first year for this display and we believe it will be very popular. I am sure that a lot of people will be surprised when they see the size of these fish.”

Anglers interested in having their fish displayed must meet the minimum qualifications, which are posted on the DNR’s Web site at www.wvdnr.gov. Click on “National Hunting and Fishing Days” under the Special Opportunity icon, or contact Kevin Yokum at (304) 924-6211 for additional information.

DNR would encourages anglers interested in participating in the display to register their fish early, since the display will be limited to the first 25 qualifying trophy entries received, and no more than five individuals of the same species will be accepted. As an incentive for participation, each angler who displays a trophy fish mount at the two-day event will receive a door prize, and four randomly picked participants will receive a substantial prize.

**DNR**