As promised, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has begun stocking Bridgeport’s Hinkle and Deegan Lakes.

 

The first stocking took place Thursday morning, according to WVDNR Director and former Bridgeport resident Stephen S. McDaniel.

 

“We’re excited about it,” said McDaniel. “We’re always looking for opportunities for our anglers and we have close to 100,000 individuals that have purchased trout stamps so this is an opportunity for those fishing all across our state.”

 

Late last year, the city announced it was allowing the state to take over control of the Lakes – not the property – for purposes of stocking and having access to DNR biologists. City Manager Kim Haws said the idea was to make the lakes as a destination point.

 

Mark Scott, the assistant chief of fisheries for the WVDNR, pointed out that the lakes are now accessible by most fishing that have what the state requires at their lakes. If they have those items, they’re good to go.

 

“State resident needs a conservation stamp, a trout stamp and a fishing license,” said Scott. “Non-residents basically need the same thing. If anyone has a question on what they need, all they need to do is contact one of our DNR offices and that information can be found online.”

 

The addition of the lakes to the state’s system gives them a second set of lakes in Harrison County. Dog Run in Salem is the other the state maintains and stocks.

 

Scott and McDaniel said the Bridgeport lakes were stocked with brook, rainbow and brown trout. Scott said the main fish involved was rainbow. He also said this is the first of four stockings the DNR will do – the next ones are in February, March and April – and then the four-month stocking will return in the same months in 2020.

 

“This gives us two nice lakes right in the middle of the state,” said McDaniel, who fished the lakes growing up. “It’s right in the middle of the city and a nice opportunity.”

 

Although no projects are currently planned, Scott said the DNR now has the ability to do amenities at the lake thanks to the agreement with Bridgeport.

 

“We’re wildlife folks, not parks, so you won’t see us doing picnic tables. What you may see at places we operate are boat ramps, fishing piers or parking lots for those fishing,” said Scott. “Sometimes, we can facilitate things if a property owner, or a city in this case, does the work and we can reimburse them.

 

“Regardless if that happens, we’re happy to have these lakes in the state system,” he continued. “This provides additional fishing opportunities for folks around the state.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the DNR truck stocking the lakes Thursday, while bottom photo shows wisdom on how to fish being provided to a youngster in a common scene in Bridgeport..