West Virginia
Cranberry River near Richwood
Current River Rating
Poor · 29
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Do Not Go
Avoid This Period
Saturday, 6:00 AM–9:00 AM
This is an informational evaluation period, not a recommended fishing window. These seasonal suggestions should not be interpreted as a recommendation to enter
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
Blocking Factors
- Water temperature is unfavorable for trout fishing.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 33.4 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.26 ft
- Water Temperature
- 71.1 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 03187500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
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
69°F
Feels like
72°F
Wind
4 mph S
Wind gust
4 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.02 in
Last 48 hours
0.02 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 68°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 68°F
Chance 12%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 12 PM
Overcast
Temp 80°F
Chance 24%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 4 PM
Overcast
Temp 78°F
Chance 35%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 8 PM
Overcast
Temp 72°F
Chance 19%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sun 12 AM
Mostly clear
Temp 68°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Showers
High 82°F / Low 66°F
Chance 40%
Precip 0.08 in
Max gust 15 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Rain
High 76°F / Low 65°F
Chance 58%
Precip 0.08 in
Max gust 24 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 79°F / Low 60°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 26 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 81°F / Low 58°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 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
Cranberry River near Richwood, West Virginia. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065).
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
Fishery overview
Cranberry River near Richwood is a WVDNR Monongahela National Forest trout river. StrikeTracks requalifies this existing public identity to Monitoring-Backed from USGS 03187500 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from Williams River at Dyer 03186500. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
WVDNR Cranberry rainbow trout. USGS 03187500. Not Williams 03186500.
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
WVDNR Cranberry brown trout.
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Brook trout in colder Cranberry water.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Free-flowing Cranberry River near Richwood, a highland trout river distinct from the Williams.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by WVDNR Cranberry trout waters. Catalog coordinates remain USGS 03187500. Station is not remapped onto Williams 03186500.
Stocking information
WVDNR stocks the Cranberry, including catch-and-release water. Confirm current official notices.
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
Official sources
WVDNR trout-stream rules change. Do not remap onto Williams 03186500. Confirm current WVDNR trout regulations.
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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