Appalachians
Cranberry River
Live Conditions
Cranberry River — Near Richwood
7-Day Flow
↑ Rising
24-Hr Pressure
26.74 inHg · → High/stable
Voluntary Catch-and-Release Advisory
Water temperature is at or above 65°F. At these temperatures trout are physiologically stressed and have a higher post-release mortality rate. Consider waiting for cooler conditions — early morning or evening — or choosing a tailwater with regulated temperatures.
Local Weather
Tough conditions — fish deep
Today
🌧️Rain
75° / 65°
1.53"
Tomorrow
🌦️Drizzle
70° / 62°
0.01"
Tue
☁️Overcast
75° / 61°
Wed
⛈️Thunderstorm
78° / 63°
0.3"
Rain in forecast — expect rising, off-color water in 12–24 hrs.
Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min
What should I fish today?
⚡ AIAI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.
4
Time of Day
Using: 216 CFS · 65.8°F · Terrestrial peak. Sparse hatches midday — brookies stay on attractors. Best month for backcountry solitude — most anglers off the river.
What should I pack?
Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Cranberry River conditions.
🪰 Hatch Calendar
Cranberry River · August · Late Summer
⚪ No tracked hatches in active range at 65.8°F — browse the calendar below for seasonal activity
Select month
Terrestrial peak. Sparse hatches midday — brookies stay on attractors. Best month for backcountry solitude — most anglers off the river.
🟢 Active · 🟡 Approaching · ⚪ Seasonal only
River Map
About Cranberry River
The Cranberry River in the Monongahela National Forest is the crown jewel of West Virginia trout fishing — remote, wild, and absolutely stunning. Native brook trout and stocked fish in a roadless backcountry setting. The upper river is one of the most pristine wild trout habitats remaining in the Central Appalachians.
Regulations
Monongahela National Forest. Upper Cranberry is catch-and-release artificial only. Lower sections are Catch-and-Release with special regulations. Check WVDNR for zone boundaries.
Learn More
Guides to help you fish Cranberry River with more confidence.
West Virginia Fishing Regulations for Fly Anglers
Licenses, the separate trout fishing stamp, WV's tiered water classifications (stocked, C&R artificial-only, delayed harvest, wild trout),…
Trout Species of West Virginia
West Virginia's only native trout — the Southern Appalachian brook trout, the official state fish — plus the introduced rainbows and browns that fill…
How Barometric Pressure Affects Fishing (And How to Use It)
That gorgeous bluebird day after a cold front? Worst fishing of the year. Here's the data behind why pressure changes matter more than the weather…