Thanks to West Virginia's year-round trout stocking program, fishing opportunities abound across the state, and officials are looking toward a new employment program to help stock in spring.

Fisheries biologists have been stocking trout in lakes and streams around the state since the beginning of the year, according to Jim Hedrick, hatchery program manager for the state Division of Natural Resources.

The year-round stocking model is providing places where anglers and their families can cast a line, and that's bolstering the outdoor experience across West Virginia, Hedrick said.

"It's all about providing a memorable experience for our anglers and getting kids and new anglers excited about fishing in West Virginia," Hedrick said.

"We start stocking trout in January in some select waters. Then as February and March come along, we stock more and more waters at a higher frequency."

This is all made possible by the work being done at West Virginia’s hatcheries, where hundreds of thousands of fish are spawned and raised each year, he said.

However, as fishing becomes more popular in West Virginia, the division is looking for additional help with its trout stocking program.

“We are going to hire some temporary additional labor this year to assist with the spring stocking season," Hedrick said.

"We want to get out into these lakes and streams and make sure the fish are better distributed and spread out, so anglers have a better fishing experience."

Those interested in applying should call 304-637-0245.