Unless you make a stray cast that hits a black bear on the backside, a muskellunge is just about the biggest, baddest, toothiest creature you’re likely to encounter while fishing in West Virginia. Nothing breaks lines, bends hooks, and brings grown men to the brink of tears like a musky.
Muskies have always had a cult-like following among West Virginia anglers, but the popularity of this species seems to be growing. It’s probably not a coincidence that West Virginia waters have been producing more and bigger muskies in recent years.
The state record has fallen multiple times in the 21st century, with the possibility of catching a muskellunge over 50 inches—once a near-impossible feat—becoming all the more real.
These are the places where you’re most likely to catch one.
Buckhannon River
If one were to crown the best muskie river in West Virginia, the Buckhannon River would be high in the running. This small-to-medium-sized river in the north-central part of the state has more muskies per mile than any other river in West Virginia.
That said, the Buckhannon isn’t a trophy fishery. Expect to catch mostly muskellunge measuring in the 30s, with only the occasional giant stretching to 40 inches.
But when it comes to action, the river is unmatched.
Catching multiple muskies in a day is actually likely here, and with fairly clear water and an abundance of woody cover, you can often see them as they dart out after your lure.
The best section of the river is a 6-mile stretch starting at the last riffle in Sago. Referred to as the Buckhannon Pool and managed under catch-and-release regulations, this section is one continuous pool that ends at the water-supply dam in the city of Buckhannon.
About 13 feet deep at the river’s normal level, the Buckhannon Pool is as good as it gets when it comes to a ‘numbers’ fishery for muskies.
A concrete boat ramp at the city park in Buckhannon provides access.
Elk River
A tributary of the Kanawha River in central West Virginia, the Elk River supports a strong population of native muskies. Trophy fish are rare, but it’s not impossible to encounter a muskellunge measuring 45 inches.
Anglers catch some quality fish in spring and summer, but late fall is prime time to target muskellunge on many West Virginia rivers, and the Elk is no exception.
From November into December, concentrate your efforts on deep, slow pools, especially if there’s some woody cover around. Shoreline deadfalls and sunken timber are abundant and offer key ambush points.
The Elk River from Sutton Dam down to its confluence with the Kanawha supports muskellunge, but the section that flows through Braxton and Clay counties has the most ideal habitat for river monsters.
Upriver, where the Elk runs cold, it’s one of the top-rated trout streams in West Virginia.
Burnsville Lake
A reservoir built on the Little Kanawha River, Burnsville Lake has long been considered one of the best trophy muskie lakes in West Virginia. But you really need to put in your time here.
While Burnsville Lake sustains healthy muskellunge in every size class, it’s not a numbers lake by any stretch of the imagination. The 962-acre lake yielded a state-record muskie measuring 54.06 inches in 2021 (West Virginia has separate records for length and weight).
Burnsville Lake has quite a bit of excellent musky habitat. Coves and creeks off the main lake tend to be the most likely areas, and a fair amount of standing timber provides ambush cover.
Redhorse suckers are a major part of muskies’ diet in Burnsville Lake, so choose lure patterns accordingly.
The lake is surrounded by a mix of state and Corps of Engineers land, including recreation areas with boat ramps, bank access and camping.
New River
The New River flows across Virginia before crossing into West Virginia, offering excellent muskellunge fishing on either side of the state line.
The river is best known for smallmouth bass fishing, but muskellunge regularly take bass anglers by surprise.
The New River is also known for whitewater, but many of its rapids end by plunging into deep, relatively slow-moving pools. That’s where you’ll find muskies.
Many of the best muskie spots on the New River are within the first few miles after the river enters West Virginia. The pool downriver from the aptly named Stateline Falls (Wylie Falls) has produced some hefty fish, and the tree-lined shore of Wylie Island is also a high-potential area a few miles downriver.
The stretch of river from Shanklin’s Ferry to Indian Creek is a popular float trip that also includes great musky water.
Hefty spinners like Mepps Aglia are good for tempting muskies on the New River.
The river can be challenging, so be sure to research conditions before you go. There are numerous boat launch and fishing access sites.
Stonewall Jackson Lake
One of the likeliest places to hook a 50-inch musky in West Virginia is Stonewall Jackson Lake.
An impoundment of the West Fork River, state land surrounds the lake, which has five public launch ramps along its meandering, mostly undeveloped shoreline.
Stonewall Jackson Lake spans 2,650 acres, which is a decent amount of water to cover. Muskie hunters who fish the lake regularly typically start by trolling, using multiple lures at various depths to probe its expansive points, cove mouths and flats.
Some of the lake’s coves also have standing timber, which is more suitable for casting than trolling. Look for timber right along the creek channels in the coves formed by Skin Creek and Wolf Fork.
Deep among that submerged timber is also where anglers find some excellent walleye fishing.
Stonecoal Lake
Stonecoal Lake is a fairly small lake at 550 acres, and it’s located just minutes from Stonewall Jackson Lake. Much like its neighbor, Stonecoal Lake has yielded multiple confirmed fish over 50 inches.
A state-record muskie measuring 52.7 inches was caught here in 2003, and a trophy is possible at any time. Stonecoal Lake is clear and mostly steep-sided, which forces anglers to fish deep most of the time. It’s rare to find muskies shallower than 10 feet.
The exception to that rule is fall. After the lake goes through its annual turnover phase, topwater lures produce vicious strikes. There is a 10hp limit on outboard motors, making Stonecoal a good lake for kayak fishing.
Stonecoal Lake also is one of the state’s top crappie hotspots.
Middle Island Creek
For a relatively small stream, Middle Island Creek produces a remarkable number of muskellunge, including some respectably sized ones. Trophies aren’t common here, but lots of 30- to 36-inch fish are available.
Middle Island Creek, a tributary of the Ohio River, has been known as a prime musky water for decades. Most of the creek is under standard regulations, but it also has a 6-mile catch-and-release section similar to the Buckhannon River.
That section extends from the SR-18 bridge near Centerville to the low-water bridge in Jug Wildlife Management Area. DNR Surveys have shown a particularly dense muskie population in this stretch.
The mouth of Indian Creek is one of the best spots, and the nearby Blue Boat Launch is a good place to get on the water.
Some of the best muskie fishing happens in spring and early summer.
Little Kanawha River
A medium-sized river historically known for modest-sized muskies, the Little Kanawha has also produced some giants. A potential state record weighing 51 pounds was caught from the tailwater section below Burnsville Lake in 2022.
The fishing is good when the Burnsville Dam is actively discharging in late summer to early fall, raising and coloring the water and triggering feeding.
November and December also have some of the year’s highest catch rates, as temps plummet and fish feed heavily. The best late fall days are typically cloudy and cold.
Look for muskellunge in the Little Kanawha’s long, deep pools, especially around small islands, undercut banks, and near shoreline laydowns and water willows.
Hughes River
A tributary that feeds the Little Kanawha River, the Hughes River is a bit of a sleeper when it comes to muskellunge, but it definitely shouldn’t be overlooked. The river has some very long, slow pools perfect for muskies.
You’re not likely to land a trophy here, but the Hughes River has a lot of healthy adult muskies in the 30-to-40-inch range. Many are caught in summer when the water is low or in the late fall.
The main stem of the Hughes River is a relatively brief 14-mile section that contains most of the river’s bigger muskies. There’s good access at the Chucks Ford Fishing Access site.
The North Fork and South Fork also harbor some modest-sized fish.
Monongahela River
An underrated muskie river, the Monongahela begins in West Virginia before flowing northward into Pennsylvania. It passes through Morgantown along the way. It’s a popular fishing spot in the city, though anglers more often target bass, catfish and walleye than muskies.
A series of locks and dams regulate the Monongahela River, creating an environment more like a series of reservoirs than a free-flowing river. Tailwaters below each dam are known to produce muskellunge.
Tributary mouths are also key areas. Some of the best musky fishing is close to the state line, where anglers may also encounter tiger muskellunge stocked by the PA Fish & Boat Commission.