Fishin’
Elkhorn Creek (Tug Fork)
Elkhorn Creek is a 23.7-mile-long tributary of the Tug Fork, belonging to the Ohio River and Mississippi River watersheds. It is located in McDowell and Mercer counties in West Virginia. Elkhorn Creek is also known as Elkhorn Fork and Elkhorn River. According to tradition, Elkhorn Creek was named after an incident when a pioneer hunter displayed an elk’s horn near the creek’s mouth.
Elkhorn Creek, a tributary of the Tug Fork, has become a prime location for fishing enthusiasts. Brown and Rainbow Trout flourish here.
Tug Fork
Approximately 10 miles northeast of Welch, access is provided by following U.S. Route 52 north to Premier. Several administrative roads and trails provide interior access for foot travel only. Tug Fork spans 6,673 acres and has terrain of primarily mixed hardwood forest with oak-hickory forest types on drier sites and yellow poplar/black cherry in the coves.
Panther Wildlife Management Area
Panther Wildlife Management Area (7,820 acres) McDowell County. From the town of Panther take state Routes 3/1 and 3/2. Panther is comprised of extremely mountainous terrain with flat, narrow ridgetops and is almost completely forested. Hunting squirrel and grouse is good in the area. Only bow hunting is permitted for deer and trapping is mainly for fox and bobcats. Panther Creek provides stocked trout fishing. Six primitive campsites are available for a fee. Owned by WVDNR. (No ATV’s permitted)
Fishing
- 4-mile stretch of Panther Creek
- Trout fishing
Picnicking
- Accessible shelters
- Accessible picnic tables
Summary
Panther Park offers six campgrounds in heavily wooded surroundings along with hiking trails, scenic overlooks, trout fishing, picnicking, swimming, cabins, and a meeting lodge with a full commercial kitchen. The facility and park are great for family reunions, weddings, special events. The park has primitive campsites with over 7,820 acres of forest, streams, walking paths, a swimming pool and much more.
Contact Information
District 4
Wildlife Management Area
WV DNR Wildlife Resources
Address: 2006 Robert C. Byrd Drive Beckley, WV 25801-8320
Phone: (304) 256-6947
Panther | (304) 938-2252
Owned by WVDNR
Anawalt Lake Wildlife Management Area
Anawalt Lake WMA (1,792 acres) McDowell County. Located approximately 20 miles southeast of Welch, access is provided by following state Route 103 south from Welch to state Route 161. Follow state Route 161 and County Route 84 to Anawalt. From Anawalt take county Route 8 to the Wildlife Management Area. Anawalt WMA is primarily a mixed hardwood forest with oak-hickory forest types on drier sites and yellow poplar/black cherry in the coves. Several administrative roads and trails provide interior access for foot travel only. The area supports hunting opportunities for deer, bear, squirrel, turkey and ruffed grouse. The 7-acre impoundment supports a warm water fishery and is stocked with trout from February through May. Owned by WVDNR. (No ATV’s permitted)
Fishing
- 7-acre lake
- Prospects include spring trout fishing, largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill
Picnicking
Accessible shelters
Accessible picnic tables
Summary
The lake was constructed in the early 1990s with a maximum depth of 15 feet and an average depth of 6 feet. A foot trail surrounding the lake provides good bank fishing access. Pit type toilets, shelters, and picnic tables are provided. Boating, camping, and the use of live minnows as bait are prohibited.
Contact Information
District 4
Wildlife Management Area
WV DNR Wildlife Resources
Address: 2006 Robert C. Byrd Drive Beckley, WV 25801-8320
Phone: (304) 256-6947
Anawalt Lake | (304) 256-6945
Owned by WVDNR
Managed by Wildlife Resources Section
Berwind Lake
Berwind Lake (18,000 acres) is owned by the McDowell County Economic Development Authority. The area is located 12 miles south of Welch on state Routes 16 and 12/4.
Berwind Lake offers picnic tables with lantern post and charcoal grills; reservable and accessible shelters; Seasonal swimming pool; fishing which includes spring trout fishing, largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill. Close to Hatfield and McCoy trails and unmapped and unmarked trails. 2 Miles from the City of War, which has a Dollar General, Walgreens, and Grant’s Supermarket, as well as convenience store and restaurants
The lake is 20-acres, has an accessible fishing pier, boat launch ramp (boats, electric motors only, three (3) brush shelters to attract fish and foot trail surrounds the lake.
Fishing
20-acre lake
Prospects include spring trout fishing, largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill
Three brush shelters to attract fish
Foot trail surrounding the lake
Accessible fishing pier
Boat launch ramp
Electric motors only
Picnicking
Accessible shelter
Reservable shelter
Check them out on Facebook for hours and days of operation.
Available for Parties
Business Information
Between $100 – $175 a night
RR 16, PO Box 38 Warriormine, WV 24894
Berwind Office Phone: 304-436-3833
304-875-3209