BUCKHANNON, W.Va (WDTV) – Hunter Rohr of Buckhannon caught a golden rainbow trout that set a new length and weight record for West Virginia’s Gold Rush event.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announces 15-year-old Rohr caught a 28-inch, 11.84-pound golden rainbow trout from the Smoke Hole section of the South Branch of the Potomac River in Pendleton County.
Previously, Gerald Estep held the length record when he caught a 27.5-inch golden rainbow trout in 1987 at Stonecoal Lake in Lewis County. Charles Lilly Jr. held the previous weight record with a 9.72-pound golden rainbow trout during the Gold Rush in 2023 at Little Beaver Lake in Raleigh County.
The new state record was confirmed by WVDNR District 3 Fisheries Biologist Jim Walker.
“We are proud to recognize Hunter’s accomplishment,†said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. “His record-setting golden rainbow trout showcases the many fishing opportunities here in West Virginia and demonstrates the passion anglers of all ages bring to the sport.â€
To learn more about state fish record categories, check out the West Virginia Regulations Summary here.
All anglers 15 and older must have a West Virginia fishing license, which can be purchased online at WVfish.com, as well as a trout stamp when fishing for trout.
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