Virginia Department of Water Resources introduces new outdoor land use regulations

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Here’s a roundup of the latest outdoor sports news from southwest and central Virginia.

The Mystery of Moomaw

There have been a lot of reports of walleye being caught in Lake Moomaw recently. All of these fish were between 10 and 12 inches. Here is the catch. While Moomaw is known for its bass and trout fishing, walleye have never been in the mix for stocking.

Until now.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) reports that about 60,000 walleye fry will be released into Lake Moomaw in 2023. Fisheries managers want to see how this initial stocking goes before making a decision to permanently add walleye to the stock.

To be kept out of Lake Moomaw, walleye must be at least 18 inches long.

Hunting and Trapping Regulations

New hunting, trapping and fishing regulations went into effect July 1. DWR has published new hunting and trapping regulations. They are available in print at most locations where hunting licenses are sold. They can also be viewed online at the DWR website.

One change in the regulations is that Roanoke, Wythe and Franklin counties have been added to Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area Three. This means special regulations will apply to deer taken during hunting season in those counties to help slow the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease.

Seafood lovers, rejoice!

Virginia’s food shrimp industry is set to expand its reach. Currently, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) is issuing permits for the lower Chesapeake and Virginia Beach areas. Now, permits are being made available for an experimental commercial shrimp season on the Eastern Shore. Interested parties have until July 22 to apply on the VMRC website.

Until six years ago, there was no commercial shrimp industry in Virginia. Warming oceans have caused white shrimp to move their territory north off the Virginia coast and into the Chesapeake Bay.

While Virginia’s shrimping industry is still in its infancy, many of the shrimp caught when the season opens in the fall are sold dockside. Many shrimpers dock at Rudee Inlet Marina in Virginia Beach.