West Virginia
Cranberry River near Richwood
Location Snapshot
Cranberry River near Richwood is a cold, forested mountain stream in West Virginia’s Monongahela highlands, with rocky runs and pools winding through a largely wooded watershed. Rainbow and brook trout are principal targets, giving the river a strongly trout-focused identity within the state’s central Appalachian headwaters.
Current River Rating
Fair · 51
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Tuesday, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Why
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 224 CFS
- Gage Height
- 3.32 ft
- Water Temperature
- 48 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 11:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 03187500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
43°F
Feels like
35°F
Wind
4 mph NE
Wind gust
6 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 6:00 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 8 AM
Clear
Temp 44°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Tue 12 PM
Clear
Temp 61°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 4 PM
Clear
Temp 62°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Tue 8 PM
Clear
Temp 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 12 AM
Clear
Temp 46°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Wed 4 AM
Clear
Temp 44°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 63°F / Low 41°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Clear
High 60°F / Low 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 11 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Clear
High 62°F / Low 42°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Clear
High 66°F / Low 44°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 9 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
The Cranberry near Richwood is one of West Virginia's year-round trout rivers, and the state stocks the river in Nicholas County.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Cranberry River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Stocking information
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Nicholas, West Virginia
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Nicholas
Management Category
Inland trout river
Regulation Scope
Cranberry River near Richwood.
Regulation Summary
Cranberry River near Richwood: WVDNR inland trout-stream rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, brown-trout, brook-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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