Brett McMillian, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, briefed senators on the agency’s wildlife and fisheries work, including hatchery production, funding sources and a pilot stocking program in Webster County.

McMillian said license sales produced about $16,500,000 in receipts for wildlife programs in 2024 and that federal aid from sport fish and wildlife restoration programs significantly increases the purchasing power of those revenues. He described hatchery outputs and upgrades: trout hatcheries produced about 658,000 pounds of catchable adults in 2024, and a recent Bowden Hatchery upgrade increased dissolved-oxygen capacity and—according to the agency’s hatchery manager—added roughly 150,000 to 250,000 additional pounds of production capacity.

The director described a fall stocking pilot in Webster County intended to boost local recreation and economic activity; he said the pilot led to increased fishing pressure and that the department is monitoring results to determine whether to expand similar efforts elsewhere. McMillian also discussed warm-water hatchery programs (hybrid striped bass, native walleye) and ongoing investments at Apple Grove Hatchery.

Senators asked about transport capacity and the ability to distribute increased fish pounds; McMillian said distribution capacity and staff are factors the department is addressing as hatchery production grows. He highlighted partnerships with private groups and local communities that help maintain access sites and enhance outreach to anglers.