2026 regulation year
West Virginia Walleye / sauger 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Sander vitreus / Sander canadensis
Last updated
Stonewall Jackson Lake, Summersville Lake, Bluestone Lake, Burnsville Lake, and Tygart Lake anchor West Virginia's walleye reservoirs — spring runs up the inflow rivers and fall trolling on the main basins produce 4–6 lb fish. The Ohio River main stem holds the state's primary sauger fishery, managed under a separate 14-inch minimum. Combined walleye + sauger daily bag is 5 fish.
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Season
Open year-round Open year-round.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 5 / day combined walleye + sauger
- Possession
- 5 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 15 in min walleye; 14 in min sauger
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited
- Ohio River sauger: 14 in min, 5 / day combined with walleye; boundary applies on open water
- Reservoir walleye fisheries follow standard 15 in / 5 fish daily bag unless listed otherwise
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific West Virginia waters:
Stonewall Jackson Lake
15 in min, 5 / day; flagship walleye reservoir
Summersville Lake
15 in min, 5 / day; deep clear lake walleye
Bluestone Lake
15 in min, 5 / day combined walleye + sauger
Tygart Lake
15 in min, 5 / day
Ohio River main stem (WV waters)
14 in min sauger / 15 in min walleye, 5 / day combined
Official source
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources — Wildlife Resources Section publishes the authoritative 2026 West Virginiafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.
Visit official West Virginia fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
Walleye / sauger closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to West Virginia Division of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any West Virginia trip during the active season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is walleye / sauger season in West Virginia?
- West Virginia keeps walleye / sauger open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
- What is the West Virginia bag limit for walleye / sauger?
- The West Virginia daily bag limit for walleye / sauger is 5 / day combined walleye + sauger. The possession limit is 5 in possession. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
- What size walleye / sauger can you keep in West Virginia?
- The West Virginia size rule for walleye / sauger is 15 in min walleye; 14 in min sauger.
- Do you need a license to fish for walleye / sauger in West Virginia?
- Yes. West Virginia requires a valid fishing license to fish for walleye / sauger, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a West Virginia license — compare resident and non-resident West Virginia fees on the state regulations page below.
- Are there gear restrictions for walleye / sauger in West Virginia?
- Yes. In West Virginia, walleye / sauger fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; snagging prohibited; Ohio River sauger: 14 in min, 5 / day combined with walleye; boundary applies on open water; Reservoir walleye fisheries follow standard 15 in / 5 fish daily bag unless listed otherwise.
- Do specific West Virginia waters have different walleye / sauger rules?
- Yes. 5 named West Virginia waters carry rules that override the statewide walleye / sauger regulation, including Stonewall Jackson Lake, Summersville Lake, Bluestone Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.