Bank and shore fishing in West Virginia
No boat? You still have 20 West Virginia waters with listed public access, 63 access sites in all. Open any water below to see its depth map, the rated spots within reach of each access point, and what to throw this season.
Access sites come from official agency access inventories where the state publishes one, with OpenStreetMap filling gaps. A carry-in site means you park and walk your gear in. We list where public access exists; always respect posted signs on the ground.
What the West Virginia access records show
The current roster links 63 documented public-access sites to 20 waters. 13 waters have more than one listed access option, while 0 have at least one site explicitly described as carry-in, walk-in or shore-oriented. The largest attached site counts are New River (Gorge) (9), Potomac River (Upper) (9) and Ohio River - Greenup Pool (7). A larger count can offer more launch choices, but it does not make unlisted shoreline public.
Map quality is independent of access quality: 14 charts use measured bathymetry and 6 use labeled approximations. Use the table to shortlist a legal entry point, then open the water page to compare that point with contour breaks and rated fishing spots. Confirm parking, fees, opening hours, seasonal closures and bank-fishing rules with the managing agency before leaving; an access inventory is planning evidence, not a guarantee that every technique is allowed at every site.
| Water | Access sites | Carry-in | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio River - Greenup Pool | 7 | — | survey |
| Summersville Lake | 5 | — | survey |
| Burnsville Lake | 3 | — | survey |
| Ridenour Lake | 3 | — | survey |
| Sutton Lake | 3 | — | survey |
| Beech Fork Lake | 2 | — | survey |
| North Bend Lake | 2 | — | survey |
| Sleepy Creek Lake | 2 | — | survey |
| Cheat Lake | 1 | — | survey |
| Kimsey Run Lake | 1 | — | survey |
| Krodel Lake | 1 | — | survey |
| Lake Sherwood | 1 | — | survey |
| Stonecoal Lake | 1 | — | survey |
| Warden Lake | 1 | — | survey |
| New River (Gorge) | 9 | — | modeled |
| Potomac River (Upper) | 9 | — | modeled |
| Ohio River - Pike Island Pool | 5 | — | modeled |
| South Branch Potomac | 4 | — | modeled |
| Ohio River - New Cumberland Pool | 2 | — | modeled |
| Greenbrier River | 1 | — | modeled |
Find the closest waters to you →
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