West Virginians are fishing for gold and the chance to win a prize.
March 23 was the beginning of a relatively new West Virginia fishing tradition: West Virginia Gold Rush. This is the fourth year in a row that this 12-day event has taken place, and every angler is desperate to try their luck at catching at least one of over 50,000 golden rainbow trout stocked throughout the state by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. With 62 lakes and streams to choose from and stockings taking place until April 3, dedicated anglers have a good chance of catching this prized, native, golden fish.
This year the event is being taken to new levels, with West Virginia State Parks, West Virginia Adventures, Hilton Garden Inn and more offering limited time discounts to those who use their West Virginia Gold Rush sponsored coupon codes. Not only is there an option for discounts, but anglers have the opportunity to be one of one hundred lucky winners to catch a tagged golden rainbow trout. In past years, turning in this tag meant you got a West Virginia Gold Rush t-shirt. This year, the stakes are higher, as those who catch a tagged fish are entered in a drawing to win one of four prizes: exclusive West Virginia Gold Rush merchandise, a $25 West Virginia State Parks gift card, a one-night cabin stay at a West Virginia State Park, or the grand prize, a three-night stay at Blackwater Falls State Park.
If you ever needed a reason to try or get back into fishing, this is it. Not only is this fish a gorgeous and memorable catch, but you could win some amazing prizes! This event ends April 3, so buy your West Virginia fishing license and trout stamp now. Even if you are not a resident of West Virginia, but instead a full-time college student, you can get a resident license! Two stocking locations are right here in Morgantown: Coopers Rock Lake and Mason Lake. So get out there and fish for gold!
For more information on West Virginia Gold Rush, visit https://commerce.wv.gov/goldrush/#:~:text=The%20West%20Virginia%20Gold%20Rush,23%20%E2%80%93%20April%203%2C%202021.text=This%20fish%2C%20while%20native%20to,reel%20in%20this%20prized%20catch.
About the Author
with a dual emphasis in creative writing and professional writing and editing. Alex
is and has always been obsessed with reading and writing and is hoping to become
an editor and a published author one day. Since coming to WVU, she has been involved
each year in the Calliope Undergraduate Literary Magazine, and recently has begun
focusing on writing about the wildness and wonder of West Virginia.