Little Kanawha River

Boat Ramps: 17
Access Points: 24
Species: 25

The Little Kanawha River is a significant waterway flowing approximately 108 miles from Burnsville Dam to the Ohio River at Parkersburg, West Virginia. Known for its placid pace and meandering path through small towns, farmland, and wooded hills, this river offers excellent fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. The river's diverse fish population and scenic surroundings create an ideal setting for a memorable fishing adventure. With cool temperatures in spring and fall and warm weather in summer, the Little Kanawha River is a year-round destination that provides serene and picturesque fishing experiences.

West Virginia licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Little Kanawha River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Black Redhorse

Moxostoma duquesnei

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Golden Redhorse

Moxostoma erythrurum

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

River Redhorse

Moxostoma carinatum

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Sauger

Sander canadensis

Shorthead Redhorse Sucker

Moxostoma macrolepidotum

Skipjack Herring

Alosa chrysochloris

Smallmouth Redhorse

Moxostoma breviceps

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

Spotted Sucker

Minytrema melanops

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Little Kanawha River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Little Kanawha River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

West Virginia licenses and regulations

West Virginia Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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West Virginia Fishing License

All anglers who are at the age of 15 and older are required to have a fishing license and a valid form of identification such as a State Issued ID or Driver's License while fishing.

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West Virginia Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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West Virginia Stream Access Laws

On navigable waters, the public may use the streambed up to the high water mark. On floatable waters, the public may float through private land but cannot legally use the streambed. Public rights on non-navigable waters are not well defined, but are likely none.

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Take Little Kanawha River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Little Kanawha River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Little Kanawha River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Little Kanawha River and check the forecast before you go.