Public hunting & fishing · No lotteries

Your next hunt. Your next fishing spot.

Find named public hunting areas, lakes, ponds and fishing access with ordinary-license or directly purchased entry. Explore official maps, permits and local restrictions before you go.

417 hunting areas901 fishing opportunities50 states represented
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6 reviewed official opportunities in this selection · Showing 1–6

Public land & waterNo lottery

WV · Cabell County · Fishing

Barboursville Lake fishing

Bass, bluegill and catfish

WVDNR biologists identify this public lake as a recreational fishing destination.

Open access · Check seasons and closures

Licenses, access and what to check

West Virginia fishing license where required, available by direct purchase; applicable conservation and trout stamps. Carry required identification and follow the current fishing summary.

Public docks and shores with restroom facilities; follow local park hours. Follow current 2026 water-specific seasons, methods and creel limits.

Why this is included: The agency documents ordinary recreational fishing or a developed public fishing access at this named place, and the state sells ordinary fishing licenses directly. This record excludes controlled events and separately restricted activities; it does not promise a space or a catch.

Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.

Public land & waterNo lottery

WV · Webster County · Fishing

Big Ditch Lake fishing

Bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish and tiger muskie

WVDNR biologists identify this public lake as a recreational fishing destination.

Open access · Check seasons and closures

Licenses, access and what to check

West Virginia fishing license where required, available by direct purchase; applicable conservation and trout stamps. Carry required identification and follow the current fishing summary.

Public shoreline and fishing pier; electric motors only. Follow current 2026 water-specific seasons, methods and creel limits.

Why this is included: The agency documents ordinary recreational fishing or a developed public fishing access at this named place, and the state sells ordinary fishing licenses directly. This record excludes controlled events and separately restricted activities; it does not promise a space or a catch.

Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.

Public land & waterNo lottery

WV · Tyler County · Fishing

Elk Fork Lake fishing

Bass

WVDNR biologists identify this public lake as a recreational fishing destination.

Open access · Check seasons and closures

Licenses, access and what to check

West Virginia fishing license where required, available by direct purchase; applicable conservation and trout stamps. Carry required identification and follow the current fishing summary.

Public shoreline and boat ramp; special bass-management rules apply. Follow current 2026 water-specific seasons, methods and creel limits.

Why this is included: The agency documents ordinary recreational fishing or a developed public fishing access at this named place, and the state sells ordinary fishing licenses directly. This record excludes controlled events and separately restricted activities; it does not promise a space or a catch.

Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.

Public land & waterNo lottery

WV · Hardy County · Fishing

Parker Hollow Lake fishing

Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and black crappie

WVDNR biologists identify this public lake as a recreational fishing destination.

Open access · Check seasons and closures

Licenses, access and what to check

West Virginia fishing license where required, available by direct purchase; applicable conservation and trout stamps. Carry required identification and follow the current fishing summary.

Public shore and ramp; electric or nonmotorized boats only. Special black-bass protected-slot rules apply. Follow current 2026 water-specific seasons, methods and creel limits.

Why this is included: The agency documents ordinary recreational fishing or a developed public fishing access at this named place, and the state sells ordinary fishing licenses directly. This record excludes controlled events and separately restricted activities; it does not promise a space or a catch.

Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.

Public land & waterNo lottery

WV · Fayette County · Fishing

Plum Orchard Lake fishing

Bass, bluegill, catfish and redear sunfish

WVDNR biologists identify this public lake as a recreational fishing destination.

Open access · Check seasons and closures

Licenses, access and what to check

West Virginia fishing license where required, available by direct purchase; applicable conservation and trout stamps. Carry required identification and follow the current fishing summary.

Three ramps and designated public shoreline; obey no-wake markings and Doris Cove electric-motor restrictions. Follow current 2026 water-specific seasons, methods and creel limits.

Why this is included: The agency documents ordinary recreational fishing or a developed public fishing access at this named place, and the state sells ordinary fishing licenses directly. This record excludes controlled events and separately restricted activities; it does not promise a space or a catch.

Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.

Public land & waterNo lottery

WV · Hancock County · Fishing

Tomlinson Run Lake fishing

Largemouth bass, bluegill, black and white crappie and channel catfish

WVDNR biologists identify this public lake as a recreational fishing destination.

Open access · Check seasons and closures

Licenses, access and what to check

West Virginia fishing license where required, available by direct purchase; applicable conservation and trout stamps. Carry required identification and follow the current fishing summary.

Shore fishing and piers at the public park; electric or nonmotorized boats only. Follow current 2026 water-specific seasons, methods and creel limits.

Why this is included: The agency documents ordinary recreational fishing or a developed public fishing access at this named place, and the state sells ordinary fishing licenses directly. This record excludes controlled events and separately restricted activities; it does not promise a space or a catch.

Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.

What “no lottery” means. It applies to the species and access described, not every hunt on that property. Seasons, licenses, check-in, closures and capacity still apply. Public access does not reserve an exclusive spot. Check the agency’s current rules before travel. Back40 does not sell public-land access.
How we build this database

We match named agency areas and maps with ordinary-license species rules and area-specific exceptions. Each record has a source-check date. Records requiring an access or species drawing, unresolved access, and reviews older than 90 days stay out of search. This is a trip-planning database, not a live availability feed.

Broad program directories are separate research tools and are not counted as hunting areas: Minnesota grouse trail finder · Wisconsin public-access parcels.

Download reviewed records (CSV) · View structured data (JSON)

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