TROUT STOCKING SUSPENDED ON LAUREL CREEK, CLAY COUNTY

(04/07/2011)
Elkins, W.Va. - The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announces that trout stockings on Laurel Creek in Clay County have been suspended indefinitely due to poor road conditions.

"Over the years, the access road used for stocking trout has deteriorated to the point where our stock trucks are constantly getting stuck," according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section. "We cannot afford to have our stock trucks damaged or put our employees in danger of getting hurt while attempting to free their trucks from the mud and soft gravel areas."

Laurel Creek was added to the DNR's stocking schedule in the mid-1990s, at which time stockings could be made throughout much of its length. A number of fords must be crossed to complete the stockings, and over the years these have deteriorated so much, that in recent years, only a few of the upper fords could be crossed.