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Due to rising fuel prices, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) announced today that beginning July 21, trout stocking at its daily trout Fishing Fee Areas at Crooked Creek in Carroll County and Big Tumbling on Clinch Mountain in Washington County will be reduced from six times per week to three. Prior to this change, trout have been delivered and stocked daily, Monday to Saturday, at each of the streams.
There is a positive aspect to the change. “Each stocking will get twice the number of fish normally stocked each day, so the number of trout stocked per week will not change,” says Assistant Fisheries Division Director Ron Southwick. “This will cut our fuel costs in half, without affecting the number of fish stocked.” In fact, anglers making the trip to either of the areas should have better success with the increase number of fish stocked each time. Southwick also observed, “The number of daily permit sales normally goes way down during the summer months and with the high price of gas, we are seeing even lower numbers of anglers than in previous years.”
Trout will be stocked on Monday and Wednesday mornings, and either Friday evening or Saturday morning for the weekend visitors.
Crooked Creek and Clinch Mountain fee areas are open from the first Saturday in April thru September 30.
Anglers must have a Virginia fishing license and purchase a daily fishing permit for $6.50. Permits can be purchased on line at www.dgif.virginia.gov or from any license agent (found at most sporting goods stores and bait shops) or on site at the concession building.
The daily creel limit is six trout per angler.
For more information about fishing in Virginia, visit the Department’s website.
