Fish all day in the mountains of West Virginia when you visit the towns of Summersville and Richwood.
Hop on Summersville Lake, known for its excellent water visibility and relatively warm water temperature. With more than 60 miles of shoreline and 2,800 acres of water, spend all day fishing for bass, walleye, panfish, catfish, and trout. Check out the secluded coves when the
water is low. Locations around the lake offer boat rentals, tours, and bait. When you are done with your rod and reel, try out the scuba diving, rock climbing, and hiking trails available around the lake. At 390 feet high and 2,280 feet long, the Summersville Dam is the second largest rock-fill earthen dam in the Eastern United States.
As a gateway to the Monongahela National Forest, Richwood offers easy access to 150 miles of rivers and streams within a 25-mile radius, including the North and South Fork Cherry River, Big Laurel Creek, Williams River, and Cranberry River. These waters are stocked with golden, brook, brown, and rainbow trout. If you are looking for a multi-day adventure, there are several primitive camping locations along the Cranberry River. Summit Lake has an accessible fishing pier and boat launch. In town, Four Seasons Outfitters & Adventure Sports has all of the supplies and insider knowledge to make your trip a success. Cranberry Adventures offers mule and wagon transportation for fishing and camping excursions.
Schedule your trip around an event. The West Virginia Bass Federation hosts fishing tournaments on Summersville Lake in the spring, summer, and fall. Toast the arrival of spring at the 82nd Richwood Ramp Festival or celebrate all things whitewater at Gauley Fest. The Richwood and Summersville airports are close by and provide convenient access for small engine fly ins.
Both Summersville and Richwood have a variety of recreation, dining, and lodging options for when the day winds down. Whitewater raft the New and Gauley rivers, learn the history of the area at Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, orvisit one of the antique shops in the area. Visit the Kirkwood Winery and taste some of their 30 varieties of wine. Take in views from the Summersville Lake Retreat Lighthouse before bunking in one of their cabins or campsites for the night.
Discover all that Summersville and Richwood have to offer when you get away to these waterways of West Virginia.
