The Coal River system in West Virginia is a diverse and productive fishery made up of three main sections: the Big Coal River, Little Coal River, and the main Coal River. After years of environmental improvements through community effort, better regulations, and habitat restoration projects, these waterways have bounced back to become excellent fishing destinations. Located in southern West Virginia, the Coal River forms near Alum Creek at the confluence of the Big and Little Coal Rivers and flows northward through western Kanawha County before emptying into the Kanawha River at St. Albans. The second-largest river system flowing entirely within West Virginia's borders, the Coal River offers anglers opportunities to catch a wide variety of game fish in settings ranging from serene mountain passes to more developed areas.