ATTENTION VIRGINIA ANGLERS: WE NEED YOUR VOICE TO SAVE OUR TROUT WATERS!

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is finalizing its new Stocked Trout Management Plan, and if we don't speak up RIGHT NOW, the future of trout fishing in VA is going to look completely different.

The state is currently taking public comments until August 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM, and the fishing community is rightfully furious about what’s on the table.

Here is what we are fighting against:

-Massive Cuts to Stocking: The draft plan includes proposals to slash overall trout stocking by 25%, 35%, or even 50% due to budget issues. Imagine half the fish in our favorite mountain creeks and streams.

-The Return of "Truck Chasing": DWR wants to shift to all-advance stocking announcements. We all know what happens when schedules are posted early overcrowding, shoulder-to-shoulder chaos, and pools stripped clean hours after the truck leaves.

-Higher Fees, Less Value: They are proposing the first baseline fishing license fee increases since 2012, plus a new $10 fee to camp on WMA lands that used to be free. We're being asked to pay more to get less.

-Dropping Historic Waters: Multiple local waters (like Lake Thompson) are being removed from the stocking list entirely.

HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION TODAY (Takes 2 Minutes):

We need a massive wave of enrollment in this public comment window to force the DWR Board to reconsider before their final vote on August 20. Do not let these changes slide through pure silence!

Email Your Opposition Directly: Send a clear and respectful email to regcomments@dwr.virginia.gov. or use this link to go directly to the DWR link for comments https://dwr.virginia.gov/.../draft-virginia-stocked.../

*****Sending them crazy or threatening or hurtful things will not help anything.****

What to say: Tell them you are a Virginia angler and you strongly oppose:

-Any percentage cuts to the trout stocking budget.

-All-advance stocking announcements that destroy the quality of the experience and promote truck chasing.

-New or increased license cost if we are losing value.

-New camping fees on public WMA lands.

SHARE THIS POST: Copy and paste this into your local fishing groups, group chats, and clubs.

The deadline is August 5 at 5:00 PM. If we want to keep our waters pristine, stocked, and accessible for the next generation, we have to express our concerns today. Tight lines, and let's protect our passion!

Comments also may be: made during the August 19, 2026 Wildlife & Boat Committee meeting or the August 20, 2026 meeting of the Board; postal-mailed to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Attn: Policy Analyst and Regulatory Coordinator, P.O. Box 90778, Henrico, Virginia 23228; or emailed to RegComments@dwr.virginia.gov. Comments must be in writing and accompanied by the name, address and telephone number of the party offering them. Comments submitted via this online system must be entered by 5 PM on August 5, 2026. Comments submitted other than via this online system, or at the August 19, 2026 Wildlife & Boat Committee meeting or the August 20, 2026 Board meeting, must be received no later than 4 PM on August 5, 2026.

After hearing public comment on the proposed amendments at the August 20, 2026 Board meeting, the Board will deliberate and, as desired, vote to adopt regulation amendments.