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The West Virginia Encyclopedia
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The West Virginia Encyclopedia
The Bear Rock Lakes Wildlife Management Area is located 13 miles east of Wheeling and two miles from the Dallas Pike interchange of Interstate 70, just off U.S. 40 near Valley Grove in Ohio County. The area is named for huge rocks found on its 242 acres. Four lakes, covering 16 acres, provide fishing for trout, catfish, muskie, large-mouth bass, and bluegill, as well as a home to waterfowl.
In 1936, the state purchased the initial three tracts of land totaling approximately 164 acres. In 1949, the West Virginia Conservation Commission constructed Baker Lake, 3.4 acres; Bear Lake, eight acres; Rock Lake, 4.1 acres; and Wood Pond, 0.5 acre. In 1950, the area was opened to fishing. Subsequent additions were 36 acres in 1968 and 43 acres in 1988. A handicapped accessible fishing pier was added to Wood Pond in 1988.
Woodlands of mixed hardwoods surround the lakes. Limited hunting is allowed for squirrel, raccoon, rabbit, and deer. Trapping permits are issued for beaver, raccoon, and muskrat. The area also includes 50 acres of cleared land and picnic facilities.
Due to coal mining beneath the lake, which began in 2022, the water level has been lowered and trout stocking was suspended in 2023. Trout originally slated for Bear Rock Lakes were stocked instead in Castleman Run Lake in Brooke County and Middle Wheeling Lake in Ohio County.
"Bear Rocks Lakes Wildlife Management Area," Pamphlet. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, 1993.
"West Virginia Small Impoundment Fishing Guide," Pamphlet. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, 1983.