Elk River

Type: Freestone river, West Virginia (East)
Designation: Catch and release
USGS gauges: 1 live
Guides: None listed
Shops: None listed

Today on the Elk River

Good: Good trout conditions: fish normally

Flow now: 123 ft³/s
Vs normal for Nov 5: Below normal
Water temp: 58.1°F (14.5°C)
Trend: Steady over 24 h
Last reading: Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST

At ELK RIVER BELOW WEBSTER SPRINGS, WV (USGS 03194700) Provisional USGS data

The Elk River is a freestone river in West Virginia, listed as Catch and release by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

More about the Elk River

1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow; West Virginia Division of Natural Resources lists 1 species.

Updated 5 Nov 2026 · Sources: Catch-and-Release trout waters, WVDNR announces November-December trout stockings for Elk River in Webster County - WVDNR, USGS Water Data

The Elk River at Clendenin, a wide, slow river below wooded hills — Photo credit
The Elk River at the Clendenin access, West Virginia (downstream of the trout water near Webster Springs). Photo: Jcyoung1981 2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it is

Elk River is a freestone river in West Virginia.

Flow now at the gauge

ELK RIVER BELOW WEBSTER SPRINGS, WV

USGS 03194700 · NWS CFRW2

Good: Good trout conditions: fish normally

58.1°F now, 59.4°F at most in 24 hours: under the National Park Service's 68°F line (federal guidance; no West Virginia line found). National Park Service
Flow 123 ft³/s: below normal for Nov 5, over 65 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey
Cold water, 58.1°F. NWS: cold shock is dangerous at 50-60°F and colder; “Always wear a life jacket in and around the water.” National Weather Service
Below NWS action stage (official NWS category). That is not a statement that wading is safe. National Weather Service

What the agencies suggest

Carry a stream thermometer. Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature National Park Service

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 123 ft³/s
Gauge height: 3.69 ft
Water temp: 58.1°F (14.5°C)

Reading Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
NWS action stage (11,065 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS minor flood stage (16,658 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS moderate flood stage (23,356 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS major flood stage (35,439 ft³/s): above the range shown
Latest: 123 ft³/s at Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)	Water temp (°F)
Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST	123	3.69	58.1
Nov 5, 6:45 PM EST	125	3.7	58.3
Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST	125	3.7	58.6
Nov 5, 4:45 PM EST	125	3.7	59
Nov 5, 3:45 PM EST	125	3.7	59.4
Nov 5, 2:45 PM EST	125	3.7	58.8
Nov 5, 1:45 PM EST	125	3.7	58.5
Nov 5, 12:45 PM EST	127	3.71	58.3
Nov 5, 11:45 AM EST	127	3.71	58.3
Nov 5, 10:45 AM EST	127	3.71	58.1
Nov 5, 9:45 AM EST	127	3.71	57.9
Nov 5, 8:45 AM EST	127	3.71	57.6
Nov 5, 7:45 AM EST	127	3.71	57.6
Nov 5, 6:45 AM EST	125	3.7	57.4
Nov 5, 5:45 AM EST	125	3.7	57.4
Nov 5, 4:45 AM EST	123	3.69	57.2
Nov 5, 3:45 AM EST	121	3.68	57
Nov 5, 2:45 AM EST	121	3.68	57
Nov 5, 1:45 AM EST	121	3.68	57
Nov 5, 12:45 AM EST	121	3.68	57
Nov 4, 11:45 PM EST	121	3.68	57
Nov 4, 10:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 9:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 8:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 7:45 PM EST	119	3.67	56.8
Nov 4, 6:45 PM EST	119	3.67	56.8
Nov 4, 5:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 4:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 3:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 2:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57.2
Nov 4, 1:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57.2
Nov 4, 12:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 11:45 AM EST	121	3.68	56.5
Nov 4, 10:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55.8
Nov 4, 9:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55.2
Nov 4, 8:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55
Nov 4, 7:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55
Nov 4, 6:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55.2
Nov 4, 5:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55.4
Nov 4, 4:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55.6
Nov 4, 3:45 AM EST	123	3.69	55.8
Nov 4, 2:45 AM EST	123	3.69	55.9
Nov 4, 1:45 AM EST	123	3.69	56.1
Nov 4, 12:45 AM EST	123	3.69	56.1
Nov 3, 11:45 PM EST	123	3.69	56.3
Nov 3, 10:45 PM EST	123	3.69	56.5
Nov 3, 9:45 PM EST	123	3.69	56.5
Nov 3, 8:45 PM EST	123	3.69	56.7
Nov 3, 7:45 PM EST	123	3.69	56.7
Nov 3, 6:45 PM EST	125	3.7	57
Nov 3, 5:45 PM EST	125	3.7	57.6
Nov 3, 4:45 PM EST	125	3.7	58.3
Nov 3, 3:45 PM EST	125	3.7	59.2
Nov 3, 2:45 PM EST	125	3.7	59.2
Nov 3, 1:45 PM EST	125	3.7	58.3
Nov 3, 12:45 PM EST	125	3.7	57
Nov 3, 11:45 AM EST	125	3.7	55.8
Nov 3, 10:45 AM EST	125	3.7	55.2
Nov 3, 9:45 AM EST	127	3.71	54.7
Nov 3, 8:45 AM EST	127	3.71	54.7
Nov 3, 7:45 AM EST	127	3.71	54.7
Nov 3, 6:45 AM EST	127	3.71	54.9
Nov 3, 5:45 AM EST	127	3.71	55
Nov 3, 4:45 AM EST	127	3.71	55.2
Nov 3, 3:45 AM EST	129	3.72	55.4
Nov 3, 2:45 AM EST	129	3.72	55.6
Nov 3, 1:45 AM EST	129	3.72	55.8
Nov 3, 12:45 AM EST	129	3.72	55.9
Nov 2, 11:45 PM EST	129	3.72	55.9
Nov 2, 10:45 PM EST	129	3.72	56.1
Nov 2, 9:45 PM EST	129	3.72	56.3
Nov 2, 8:45 PM EST	132	3.73	56.5
Nov 2, 7:45 PM EST	132	3.73	56.5
Nov 2, 6:45 PM EST	132	3.73	56.7
Nov 2, 5:45 PM EST	132	3.73	56.8
Nov 2, 4:45 PM EST	132	3.73	57.2
Nov 2, 3:45 PM EST	132	3.73	57.6
Nov 2, 2:45 PM EST	134	3.74	57.4
Nov 2, 1:45 PM EST	132	3.73	57.2
Nov 2, 12:45 PM EST	132	3.73	56.7
Nov 2, 11:45 AM EST	134	3.74	55.8
Nov 2, 10:45 AM EST	134	3.74	55.2
Nov 2, 9:45 AM EST	134	3.74	54.7
Nov 2, 8:45 AM EST	134	3.74	54.3
Nov 2, 7:45 AM EST	134	3.74	54.3
Nov 2, 6:45 AM EST	134	3.74	54.3
Nov 2, 5:45 AM EST	134	3.74	54.3
Nov 2, 4:45 AM EST	136	3.75	54.3
Nov 2, 3:45 AM EST	136	3.75	54.5
Nov 2, 2:45 AM EST	136	3.75	54.5
Nov 2, 1:45 AM EST	138	3.76	54.5
Nov 2, 12:45 AM EST	138	3.76	54.7
Nov 1, 11:45 PM EST	138	3.76	54.7
Nov 1, 10:45 PM EST	138	3.76	54.7
Nov 1, 9:45 PM EST	138	3.76	54.9
Nov 1, 8:45 PM EST	140	3.77	54.9
Nov 1, 7:45 PM EST	140	3.77	54.9
Nov 1, 6:45 PM EST	140	3.77	54.9
Nov 1, 5:45 PM EST	140	3.77	55.2
Nov 1, 4:45 PM EST	140	3.77	55.6
Nov 1, 3:45 PM EST	140	3.77	56.1
Nov 1, 2:45 PM EST	140	3.77	56.5
Nov 1, 1:45 PM EST	143	3.78	55.9
Nov 1, 12:45 PM EST	143	3.78	54.7
Nov 1, 11:45 AM EST	143	3.78	53.6
Nov 1, 10:45 AM EST	143	3.78	53.1
Nov 1, 9:45 AM EST	143	3.78	52.7
Nov 1, 8:45 AM EST	143	3.78	52.5
Nov 1, 7:45 AM EST	143	3.78	52.5
Nov 1, 6:45 AM EST	145	3.79	52.7
Nov 1, 5:45 AM EST	145	3.79	52.9
Nov 1, 4:45 AM EST	145	3.79	52.9
Nov 1, 3:45 AM EST	145	3.79	53.1
Nov 1, 2:45 AM EST	147	3.8	53.1
Nov 1, 1:45 AM EST	147	3.8	53.2
Nov 1, 1:45 AM EDT	147	3.8	53.2
Nov 1, 12:45 AM EDT	147	3.8	53.2
Oct 31, 11:45 PM EDT	147	3.8	53.4
Oct 31, 10:45 PM EDT	147	3.8	53.4
Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	53.6
Oct 31, 8:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	53.8
Oct 31, 7:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	54
Oct 31, 6:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	54.1
Oct 31, 5:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	54.3
Oct 31, 4:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	54.7
Oct 31, 3:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	54.7
Oct 31, 2:45 PM EDT	152	3.82	54.3
Oct 31, 1:45 PM EDT	152	3.82	53.8
Oct 31, 12:45 PM EDT	152	3.82	53.1
Oct 31, 11:45 AM EDT	152	3.82	52.7
Oct 31, 10:45 AM EDT	152	3.82	52.3
Oct 31, 9:45 AM EDT	155	3.83	52.2
Oct 31, 8:45 AM EDT	155	3.83	52.3
Oct 31, 7:45 AM EDT	155	3.83	52.5
Oct 31, 6:45 AM EDT	155	3.83	52.7
Oct 31, 5:45 AM EDT	157	3.84	52.9
Oct 31, 4:45 AM EDT	157	3.84	53.2
Oct 31, 3:45 AM EDT	157	3.84	53.4
Oct 31, 2:45 AM EDT	157	3.84	53.8
Oct 31, 1:45 AM EDT	157	3.84	54
Oct 31, 12:45 AM EDT	160	3.85	54.1
Oct 30, 11:45 PM EDT	160	3.85	54.5
Oct 30, 10:45 PM EDT	160	3.85	54.7
Oct 30, 9:45 PM EDT	162	3.86	54.9
Oct 30, 8:45 PM EDT	162	3.86	55
Oct 30, 7:45 PM EDT	162	3.86	55.2
Oct 30, 6:45 PM EDT	162	3.86	55.4
Oct 30, 5:45 PM EDT	162	3.86	55.9
Oct 30, 4:45 PM EDT	162	3.86	57
Oct 30, 3:45 PM EDT	165	3.87	57
Oct 30, 2:45 PM EDT	165	3.87	56.5
Oct 30, 1:45 PM EDT	165	3.87	55.6
Oct 30, 12:45 PM EDT	165	3.87	54.5
Oct 30, 11:45 AM EDT	165	3.87	53.8
Oct 30, 10:45 AM EDT	165	3.87	53.6
Oct 30, 9:45 AM EDT	165	3.87	53.4
Oct 30, 8:45 AM EDT	167	3.88	53.4
Oct 30, 7:45 AM EDT	167	3.88	53.4
Oct 30, 6:45 AM EDT	167	3.88	53.4
Oct 30, 5:45 AM EDT	167	3.88	53.4
Oct 30, 4:45 AM EDT	167	3.88	53.6
Oct 30, 3:45 AM EDT	170	3.89	53.6
Oct 30, 2:45 AM EDT	170	3.89	53.8
Oct 30, 1:45 AM EDT	170	3.89	54
Oct 30, 12:45 AM EDT	170	3.89	54.1
Oct 29, 11:45 PM EDT	170	3.89	54.3
Oct 29, 10:45 PM EDT	172	3.9	54.3
Oct 29, 9:45 PM EDT	172	3.9	54.5
Oct 29, 8:45 PM EDT	172	3.9	54.7

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 141–588 ft³/s (middle half of 65 years of record). Now: 123 ft³/s, below normal.

Below normal for this date. 123 ft³/s is between the 10th and 25th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 65 years of record (1960–2026): 10th 60, 25th 141, median 284, 75th 588, 90th 940 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 32 ft³/s, highest 14,900 ft³/s.

Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).

Steady over 24 hours (+3.4% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.

NWS observed 3.7 ft stage, 116 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:45 PM EST (NWS gauge CFRW2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 11 ft
Minor flood: 13 ft
Moderate flood: 15 ft
Major flood: 18 ft

Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Water temperature for trout, salmon and steelhead

Federal guidance. West Virginia DNR publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a West Virginia rule:

Under the federal 68°F line. Water 58.1°F now; the highest in the last 24 hours was 59.4°F. That is under the 68°F at which the National Park Service, at Grand Teton National Park, recommends anglers stop fishing in the afternoon (“cease fishing at 2 p.m. when water temperatures are likely to exceed 68°F”). Water warms through the afternoon, so check again later in the day: “Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature.”
High water temperatures prompt fishing advisory in Grand Teton National Park (29 July 2022) (National Park Service)

Species

Species the agency lists for Elk River: rainbow trout.

Source: WVDNR announces November-December trout stockings for Elk River in Webster County - WVDNR (West Virginia Division of Natural Resources).

Safety

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)
Cold water. Water 58.1°F. NWS: “Cold shock can be just as severe and dangerous from water temperatures of 50-60°F (10-15°C) as it is from water at 35°F (2°C).” “Always wear a life jacket in and around the water.”
Cold Water Hazards and Safety (National Weather Service)
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page

Checked Nov 5, 8:16 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.

Reading the gauges…

Check any river's flow

Follow Elk River for flow alerts

Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.

Follow this water

Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.

Where to fish

Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

West Virginia stream access points

Elk River on the map

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Restrooms Access map

Map of Elk River with 1 USGS gauge.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restrooms near Elk River

Restrooms within 2 miles of Elk River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.

No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.

Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.

Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.

More water near Elk River

Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Back Fork Elk River
Photo credit
The Jackson River in the Hidden Valley, Bath County, Virginia. Photo: Nyttend, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Back Fork Elk River.
Back Fork Elk River
West Virginia · about 10 mi
Delayed HarvestRepresentative photo · not Williams River
Photo credit
The Savage River from the Allegany Bridge, Savage River State Forest. Photo: Aneta Kaluzna, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Williams River.
Williams River
West Virginia · about 15 mi
54.9cfsFlow now · below normal for the date
Running well nowRepresentative photo · not Cranberry River
Photo credit
The Smith River in the evening, Henry County, Virginia. Photo: MarmadukePercy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Cranberry River.
Cranberry River
West Virginia · about 21 mi
35.2cfsFlow now · below normal for the date
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Middle Fork Williams River
Photo credit
The Dan River at Danville, Virginia. Photo: MarmadukePercy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Middle Fork Williams River.
Middle Fork Williams River
West Virginia · about 22 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Tea Creek
Photo credit
South Holston Dam releasing into the South Holston River tailwater, near Bristol, Tennessee. Photo: Tennessee Valley Authority, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Tea Creek.
Tea Creek
West Virginia · about 22 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Mill Creek
Photo credit
The Little Juniata River at the 1898 Birmingham Bridge, near Birmingham, Pennsylvania (black-and-white survey photograph). Photo: Jet Lowe, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mill Creek.
Mill Creek
West Virginia · about 24 mi

Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Back Fork Elk River
Photo credit
The Jackson River in the Hidden Valley, Bath County, Virginia. Photo: Nyttend, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Back Fork Elk River.
Back Fork Elk River
West Virginia · about 10 mi
Delayed HarvestRepresentative photo · not Williams River
Photo credit
The Savage River from the Allegany Bridge, Savage River State Forest. Photo: Aneta Kaluzna, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Williams River.
Williams River
West Virginia · about 15 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Cranberry River
Photo credit
The Smith River in the evening, Henry County, Virginia. Photo: MarmadukePercy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Cranberry River.
Cranberry River
West Virginia · about 21 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Middle Fork Williams River
Photo credit
The Dan River at Danville, Virginia. Photo: MarmadukePercy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Middle Fork Williams River.
Middle Fork Williams River
West Virginia · about 22 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Tea Creek
Photo credit
South Holston Dam releasing into the South Holston River tailwater, near Bristol, Tennessee. Photo: Tennessee Valley Authority, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Tea Creek.
Tea Creek
West Virginia · about 22 mi
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Mill Creek
Photo credit
The Little Juniata River at the 1898 Birmingham Bridge, near Birmingham, Pennsylvania (black-and-white survey photograph). Photo: Jet Lowe, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mill Creek.
Mill Creek
West Virginia · about 24 mi

Regulations

Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.

Official designation: Catch and release

Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.

Catch and release
On the Catch-and-Release trout waters list (West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, read 2026-10-20). All waters with this designation
- 2-mile section from the Elk Springs Campground downstream to Rose Run bridge
- Slatyfork section: 4.6-mile section from the junction of Big Spring and Old Field forks downstream to the mouth of Dry Branch, including Props Run and Big Run

The water on the map

Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.

Length: 175.5 mi (172.3 in WV)
Drains: 1,530 sq mi
Drop: 2,100 ft · 12 ft/mi
Flows into: Kanawha River
Watershed: Elk

Public land along it

Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-05) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

18.3 of 172.3 mi on public land

Elk River Wildlife Management AreaJoint · 15.9 mi
Monongahela National ForestForest Service · 2.4 mi

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Guides and shops near Elk River

Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.

Guides

No guide within 40 miles yet.

All West Virginia guides

Shops nearby

No shop nearby yet.

All West Virginia shops

Species and hatches

The species the agency lists here; presence varies by reach and season.

Listed by the state agency

Rainbow trout
Species guide
Photo credit
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

When the bugs come off

Rainbow trout

Plan your stay

Fishing lodges nearby

All lodges

Camp Holly
Diana, West Virginia
Fish camp · 3.3 mi
- Unclaimed

Getting there

CKB · Bridgeport · 50 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
LWB · Lewisburg · 51 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
PIT · Pittsburgh · 132 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)

About this

Miles are straight-line distances, not drive times.
Airports: scheduled passenger service, from OurAirports (public domain) (2026-11-04).
Lodges are listed when their own website talks about fishing. Prices and availability are the lodge's own.

Plan a trip here

None of our destination hubs is within 40 miles in a straight line. The trip planner builds a trip around the water itself: the guides and shops listed within 40 miles of it, its gauges and its nearest towns and airports.

No hub within 40 miles

Plan a trip here

Fish these abroad

Matched on the fish the agencies list for both waters first, then the same water type, an official designation or flagship listing on both, and a similar mapped size where USGS hydrography covers both.

At most two waters per country. A shared fish is a listing, not a promise: presence varies by reach and season.

Like the Elk River? Same fish, overseas.

Flagship water
Photo credit
The Tongariro River from the Tree Trunk Gorge track. Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Tongariro River
Waikato, New Zealand
Same fish: rainbow trout · also a freestone river
Flagship water
Photo credit
The Clutha River / Mata-Au at Albert Town, near the Hāwea confluence. Photo: Photo by Lewis: Verduyn-Cassels, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Upper Clutha River / Mata-Au
Otago, New Zealand
Same fish: rainbow trout · also a freestone river
Freestone river
Photo credit
The Radovna. Photo: Mihael Simonič, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Radovna
Gorenjska, Slovenia
Same fish: rainbow trout · also a freestone river
Freestone river
Photo credit
The Derwent River from the Pulpit Rock lookout, Tasmania. Photo: Bill, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
River Derwent
Tasmania, Australia
Same fish: rainbow trout · also a freestone river
Freestone river
Photo credit
The Credit River at Streetsville. Photo: Mustang Joe, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Credit River
Ontario, Canada
Same fish: rainbow trout · also a freestone river
Freestone river
Photo credit
The Sava Bohinjka at Bodešče, below Bled, Slovenia (the reach of the ARSO gauge). Photo: Doremo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sava Bohinjka
Gorenjska, Slovenia
Same fish: rainbow trout · also a freestone river

Fish it when it's winter here

Southern seasons open while ours close.

Flagship water
Photo credit
Lake Taupō. Photo: Ériugena, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lake Taupō
Waikato, New Zealand
Season open all year · DOC
Flagship water
Photo credit
Penstock Lagoon, Central Highlands, Tasmania. Photo: Mike Cline, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Penstock Lagoon
Tasmania, Australia
Season open Aug–May · Inland Fisheries Service
Tailwater
Photo credit
The Río Limay, Argentina. Photo: P. Hughes, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Río Limay
Río Negro, Argentina
Season open Nov–May · Patagonian fishing regulation
Freestone riverRepresentative photo · not Río Petrohué
Photo credit
The Río Puelo at Las Gualas, Cochamó. Photo: Nicolás from seno de reloncaví, Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Río Petrohué.
Río Petrohué
Los Lagos, Chile
Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA
Lake or reservoirRepresentative photo · not Lago Llanquihue
Photo credit
The Río Simpson passing Coyhaique, Aysén. Photo: Manxuc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lago Llanquihue.
Lago Llanquihue
Los Lagos, Chile
Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA
Lake or reservoir
Photo credit
Lago Nahuel Huapi from Llao Llao. Photo: David, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lago Nahuel Huapi
Río Negro, Argentina
Season open Oct–May · Patagonian fishing regulation
Flagship waterRepresentative photo · not Mataura River
Photo credit
The Oreti River near Lumsden, Southland. Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mataura River.
Mataura River
Southland, New Zealand
Season open Oct–Apr · Fish & Game NZ
Flagship water
Photo credit
Great Lake, Tasmania. Photo: Peripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yingina / Great Lake
Tasmania, Australia
Season open all year · Inland Fisheries Service

Gear checklist

A practical checklist for fly fishing small mountain trout streams: a short 3–4 weight rod, light line, a few buoyant dries and simple wet-wading gear, with estimated prices and where to buy.

An angler stands on a boulder at the edge of a fast forest stream and fishes the run

Small mountain streams

7′6″–8′6″ rod, 3–4 weight, floating line · Brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout

Open the checklist

Videos for this water (5)

Watch: reading a trout stream

Seams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

How I Learned to Read Water (Fly Fishing)Embedded from YouTube · Mad River Outfitters · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
How To Read The Water with Tom RosenbauerEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Reading the Water to Successfully Locate TroutEmbedded from YouTube · Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on reading water

Watch: nymphing basics

Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

90° Nymph RigEmbedded from YouTube · Huge Fly Fisherman · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Casting with an Indicator & Better Nymphing TechniquesEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on nymphing

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Sources for this page

Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.

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All 15 sources and dates

A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.

Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge ELK RIVER BELOW WEBSTER SPRINGS, WV. Water type is our own classification.

ELK RIVER BELOW WEBSTER SPRINGS, WV

USGS 03194700 · NWS CFRW2

Good: Good trout conditions: fish normally

58.1°F now, 59.4°F at most in 24 hours: under the National Park Service's 68°F line (federal guidance; no West Virginia line found). National Park Service
Flow 123 ft³/s: below normal for Nov 5, over 65 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey
Cold water, 58.1°F. NWS: cold shock is dangerous at 50-60°F and colder; “Always wear a life jacket in and around the water.” National Weather Service
Below NWS action stage (official NWS category). That is not a statement that wading is safe. National Weather Service

What the agencies suggest

Carry a stream thermometer. Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature National Park Service

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 123 ft³/s
Gauge height: 3.69 ft
Water temp: 58.1°F (14.5°C)

Reading Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
NWS action stage (11,065 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS minor flood stage (16,658 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS moderate flood stage (23,356 ft³/s): above the range shown
NWS major flood stage (35,439 ft³/s): above the range shown
Latest: 123 ft³/s at Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)	Water temp (°F)
Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST	123	3.69	58.1
Nov 5, 6:45 PM EST	125	3.7	58.3
Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST	125	3.7	58.6
Nov 5, 4:45 PM EST	125	3.7	59
Nov 5, 3:45 PM EST	125	3.7	59.4
Nov 5, 2:45 PM EST	125	3.7	58.8
Nov 5, 1:45 PM EST	125	3.7	58.5
Nov 5, 12:45 PM EST	127	3.71	58.3
Nov 5, 11:45 AM EST	127	3.71	58.3
Nov 5, 10:45 AM EST	127	3.71	58.1
Nov 5, 9:45 AM EST	127	3.71	57.9
Nov 5, 8:45 AM EST	127	3.71	57.6
Nov 5, 7:45 AM EST	127	3.71	57.6
Nov 5, 6:45 AM EST	125	3.7	57.4
Nov 5, 5:45 AM EST	125	3.7	57.4
Nov 5, 4:45 AM EST	123	3.69	57.2
Nov 5, 3:45 AM EST	121	3.68	57
Nov 5, 2:45 AM EST	121	3.68	57
Nov 5, 1:45 AM EST	121	3.68	57
Nov 5, 12:45 AM EST	121	3.68	57
Nov 4, 11:45 PM EST	121	3.68	57
Nov 4, 10:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 9:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 8:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 7:45 PM EST	119	3.67	56.8
Nov 4, 6:45 PM EST	119	3.67	56.8
Nov 4, 5:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 4:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 3:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 2:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57.2
Nov 4, 1:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57.2
Nov 4, 12:45 PM EST	119	3.67	57
Nov 4, 11:45 AM EST	121	3.68	56.5
Nov 4, 10:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55.8
Nov 4, 9:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55.2
Nov 4, 8:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55
Nov 4, 7:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55
Nov 4, 6:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55.2
Nov 4, 5:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55.4
Nov 4, 4:45 AM EST	121	3.68	55.6
Nov 4, 3:45 AM EST	123	3.69	55.8
Nov 4, 2:45 AM EST	123	3.69	55.9
Nov 4, 1:45 AM EST	123	3.69	56.1
Nov 4, 12:45 AM EST	123	3.69	56.1
Nov 3, 11:45 PM EST	123	3.69	56.3
Nov 3, 10:45 PM EST	123	3.69	56.5
Nov 3, 9:45 PM EST	123	3.69	56.5
Nov 3, 8:45 PM EST	123	3.69	56.7
Nov 3, 7:45 PM EST	123	3.69	56.7
Nov 3, 6:45 PM EST	125	3.7	57
Nov 3, 5:45 PM EST	125	3.7	57.6
Nov 3, 4:45 PM EST	125	3.7	58.3
Nov 3, 3:45 PM EST	125	3.7	59.2
Nov 3, 2:45 PM EST	125	3.7	59.2
Nov 3, 1:45 PM EST	125	3.7	58.3
Nov 3, 12:45 PM EST	125	3.7	57
Nov 3, 11:45 AM EST	125	3.7	55.8
Nov 3, 10:45 AM EST	125	3.7	55.2
Nov 3, 9:45 AM EST	127	3.71	54.7
Nov 3, 8:45 AM EST	127	3.71	54.7
Nov 3, 7:45 AM EST	127	3.71	54.7
Nov 3, 6:45 AM EST	127	3.71	54.9
Nov 3, 5:45 AM EST	127	3.71	55
Nov 3, 4:45 AM EST	127	3.71	55.2
Nov 3, 3:45 AM EST	129	3.72	55.4
Nov 3, 2:45 AM EST	129	3.72	55.6
Nov 3, 1:45 AM EST	129	3.72	55.8
Nov 3, 12:45 AM EST	129	3.72	55.9
Nov 2, 11:45 PM EST	129	3.72	55.9
Nov 2, 10:45 PM EST	129	3.72	56.1
Nov 2, 9:45 PM EST	129	3.72	56.3
Nov 2, 8:45 PM EST	132	3.73	56.5
Nov 2, 7:45 PM EST	132	3.73	56.5
Nov 2, 6:45 PM EST	132	3.73	56.7
Nov 2, 5:45 PM EST	132	3.73	56.8
Nov 2, 4:45 PM EST	132	3.73	57.2
Nov 2, 3:45 PM EST	132	3.73	57.6
Nov 2, 2:45 PM EST	134	3.74	57.4
Nov 2, 1:45 PM EST	132	3.73	57.2
Nov 2, 12:45 PM EST	132	3.73	56.7
Nov 2, 11:45 AM EST	134	3.74	55.8
Nov 2, 10:45 AM EST	134	3.74	55.2
Nov 2, 9:45 AM EST	134	3.74	54.7
Nov 2, 8:45 AM EST	134	3.74	54.3
Nov 2, 7:45 AM EST	134	3.74	54.3
Nov 2, 6:45 AM EST	134	3.74	54.3
Nov 2, 5:45 AM EST	134	3.74	54.3
Nov 2, 4:45 AM EST	136	3.75	54.3
Nov 2, 3:45 AM EST	136	3.75	54.5
Nov 2, 2:45 AM EST	136	3.75	54.5
Nov 2, 1:45 AM EST	138	3.76	54.5
Nov 2, 12:45 AM EST	138	3.76	54.7
Nov 1, 11:45 PM EST	138	3.76	54.7
Nov 1, 10:45 PM EST	138	3.76	54.7
Nov 1, 9:45 PM EST	138	3.76	54.9
Nov 1, 8:45 PM EST	140	3.77	54.9
Nov 1, 7:45 PM EST	140	3.77	54.9
Nov 1, 6:45 PM EST	140	3.77	54.9
Nov 1, 5:45 PM EST	140	3.77	55.2
Nov 1, 4:45 PM EST	140	3.77	55.6
Nov 1, 3:45 PM EST	140	3.77	56.1
Nov 1, 2:45 PM EST	140	3.77	56.5
Nov 1, 1:45 PM EST	143	3.78	55.9
Nov 1, 12:45 PM EST	143	3.78	54.7
Nov 1, 11:45 AM EST	143	3.78	53.6
Nov 1, 10:45 AM EST	143	3.78	53.1
Nov 1, 9:45 AM EST	143	3.78	52.7
Nov 1, 8:45 AM EST	143	3.78	52.5
Nov 1, 7:45 AM EST	143	3.78	52.5
Nov 1, 6:45 AM EST	145	3.79	52.7
Nov 1, 5:45 AM EST	145	3.79	52.9
Nov 1, 4:45 AM EST	145	3.79	52.9
Nov 1, 3:45 AM EST	145	3.79	53.1
Nov 1, 2:45 AM EST	147	3.8	53.1
Nov 1, 1:45 AM EST	147	3.8	53.2
Nov 1, 1:45 AM EDT	147	3.8	53.2
Nov 1, 12:45 AM EDT	147	3.8	53.2
Oct 31, 11:45 PM EDT	147	3.8	53.4
Oct 31, 10:45 PM EDT	147	3.8	53.4
Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	53.6
Oct 31, 8:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	53.8
Oct 31, 7:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	54
Oct 31, 6:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	54.1
Oct 31, 5:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	54.3
Oct 31, 4:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	54.7
Oct 31, 3:45 PM EDT	150	3.81	54.7
Oct 31, 2:45 PM EDT	152	3.82	54.3
Oct 31, 1:45 PM EDT	152	3.82	53.8
Oct 31, 12:45 PM EDT	152	3.82	53.1
Oct 31, 11:45 AM EDT	152	3.82	52.7
Oct 31, 10:45 AM EDT	152	3.82	52.3
Oct 31, 9:45 AM EDT	155	3.83	52.2
Oct 31, 8:45 AM EDT	155	3.83	52.3
Oct 31, 7:45 AM EDT	155	3.83	52.5
Oct 31, 6:45 AM EDT	155	3.83	52.7
Oct 31, 5:45 AM EDT	157	3.84	52.9
Oct 31, 4:45 AM EDT	157	3.84	53.2
Oct 31, 3:45 AM EDT	157	3.84	53.4
Oct 31, 2:45 AM EDT	157	3.84	53.8
Oct 31, 1:45 AM EDT	157	3.84	54
Oct 31, 12:45 AM EDT	160	3.85	54.1
Oct 30, 11:45 PM EDT	160	3.85	54.5
Oct 30, 10:45 PM EDT	160	3.85	54.7
Oct 30, 9:45 PM EDT	162	3.86	54.9
Oct 30, 8:45 PM EDT	162	3.86	55
Oct 30, 7:45 PM EDT	162	3.86	55.2
Oct 30, 6:45 PM EDT	162	3.86	55.4
Oct 30, 5:45 PM EDT	162	3.86	55.9
Oct 30, 4:45 PM EDT	162	3.86	57
Oct 30, 3:45 PM EDT	165	3.87	57
Oct 30, 2:45 PM EDT	165	3.87	56.5
Oct 30, 1:45 PM EDT	165	3.87	55.6
Oct 30, 12:45 PM EDT	165	3.87	54.5
Oct 30, 11:45 AM EDT	165	3.87	53.8
Oct 30, 10:45 AM EDT	165	3.87	53.6
Oct 30, 9:45 AM EDT	165	3.87	53.4
Oct 30, 8:45 AM EDT	167	3.88	53.4
Oct 30, 7:45 AM EDT	167	3.88	53.4
Oct 30, 6:45 AM EDT	167	3.88	53.4
Oct 30, 5:45 AM EDT	167	3.88	53.4
Oct 30, 4:45 AM EDT	167	3.88	53.6
Oct 30, 3:45 AM EDT	170	3.89	53.6
Oct 30, 2:45 AM EDT	170	3.89	53.8
Oct 30, 1:45 AM EDT	170	3.89	54
Oct 30, 12:45 AM EDT	170	3.89	54.1
Oct 29, 11:45 PM EDT	170	3.89	54.3
Oct 29, 10:45 PM EDT	172	3.9	54.3
Oct 29, 9:45 PM EDT	172	3.9	54.5
Oct 29, 8:45 PM EDT	172	3.9	54.7

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 141–588 ft³/s (middle half of 65 years of record). Now: 123 ft³/s, below normal.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 32 ft³/s, highest 14,900 ft³/s.

Steady over 24 hours (+3.4% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.

NWS observed 3.7 ft stage, 116 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:45 PM EST (NWS gauge CFRW2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 11 ft
Minor flood: 13 ft
Moderate flood: 15 ft
Major flood: 18 ft

Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Water temperature for trout, salmon and steelhead

Under the federal 68°F line. Water 58.1°F now; the highest in the last 24 hours was 59.4°F. That is under the 68°F at which the National Park Service, at Grand Teton National Park, recommends anglers stop fishing in the afternoon (“cease fishing at 2 p.m. when water temperatures are likely to exceed 68°F”). Water warms through the afternoon, so check again later in the day: “Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature.”
High water temperatures prompt fishing advisory in Grand Teton National Park (29 July 2022) (National Park Service)

Species

Species the agency lists for Elk River: rainbow trout.

Source: WVDNR announces November-December trout stockings for Elk River in Webster County - WVDNR (West Virginia Division of Natural Resources).

Safety

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)
Cold water. Water 58.1°F. NWS: “Cold shock can be just as severe and dangerous from water temperatures of 50-60°F (10-15°C) as it is from water at 35°F (2°C).” “Always wear a life jacket in and around the water.”
Cold Water Hazards and Safety (National Weather Service)
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page