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River · Mountain Lakes

Elk River

One of the finest and least-known trout fisheries in the Appalachians. Below Sutton Dam the tailwater runs cold and clear year-round, holding wild and holdover brown trout, with a celebrated catch-and-release section and a sulphur hatch that draws anglers from several states. Downstream the river warms into outstanding smallmouth water. Upstream near Webster Springs it goes underground for a stretch in limestone.

Tailwater · Cold year-roundWild browns · FisherySulphur · Signature hatch

Know before you go

  • The catch-and-release section below Sutton is the marquee water
  • Check the dam release schedule before wading
  • Smallmouth fishing downstream of Clay is excellent and lightly pressured

What you can do here

Fly Fishing

Mar–Nov

Fishing

Year-round

Kayak Fishing

Apr–Oct

Canoeing

Apr–Oct

Water Trails

Apr–Oct

Flatwater Paddling

Apr–Oct
AdvertiseThis space is available

Guides, gear and lodging near Elk River

Place-level placement for operators within range of this trailhead, put-in or crag.

List your business here

Who looks after it

Buckhannon River Watershed Association Nonprofit Buckhannon River watershed protection, monitoring and river recreation. Visit Elk River Water Trail Nonprofit Elk River paddling access developed alongside the Elk River Rail Trail. Visit Elk River Trail Foundation Nonprofit Supports the Elk River Rail Trail, Water Trail and the BC&G trail system. Visit USACE — Sutton Lake Federal Central West Virginia reservoir with campgrounds, bass fishing and flatwater paddling. Visit USACE — Burnsville Lake Federal Quiet Braxton County reservoir with camping, boating and muskie fishing. Visit Elk River Trail Nonprofit Growing rail-trail and water trail corridor along one of West Virginia's best trout and smallmouth rivers. Visit

Nearby in the Mountain Lakes

Trail · Mountain Lakes

Elk River Rail Trail

A developing rail-trail on the former Buffalo Creek & Gauley and Elk River Railroad grades, opening a long, remote corridor along the Elk between Gassaway and Clendenin.

73 mi planned corridorDeveloping status
State Park · Mountain Lakes

Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park

A 2,650-acre lake with the most developed resort facilities of any West Virginia lake park — a lodge, marina, Arnold Palmer golf course and the state's largest open-water fetch for small-boat sailing.

2,650 ac lake82 mi shoreline
Lake · Mountain Lakes

Sutton Lake

A 1,440-acre Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Elk River in Braxton County, with several campgrounds, quiet coves and the dam that creates the Elk tailwater fishery below.

1,440 ac lakeCorps managed
Lake · Mountain Lakes

Burnsville Lake

A 968-acre Corps reservoir on the Little Kanawha with the Bulltown Historic Area on its shore — Civil War earthworks, a preserved farmstead and a well-regarded campground.

968 ac lakeBulltown historic area
State Park · Mountain Lakes

Holly River State Park

West Virginia's second-largest state park at 8,101 acres, in a narrow valley of hemlock and hardwood with waterfalls, cabins and a rugged trail network.

8,101 ac park2nd largest state park
State Park · Mountain Lakes

Cedar Creek State Park

A 2,483-acre park in Gilmer County with three small fishing lakes, a campground and a network of easy trails.

2,483 ac park3 fishing lakes

Almost Heaven Swings