Buckhannon teen caught record-breaking golden rainbow trout for Gold Rush event

BUCKHANNON, W.Va (WDTV) – Hunter Rohr of Buckhannon caught a golden rainbow trout that set a new length and weight record for West Virginia’s Gold Rush event.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announces 15-year-old Rohr caught a 28-inch, 11.84-pound golden rainbow trout from the Smoke Hole section of the South Branch of the Potomac River in Pendleton County.

Previously, Gerald Estep held the length record when he caught a 27.5-inch golden rainbow trout in 1987 at Stonecoal Lake in Lewis County. Charles Lilly Jr. held the previous weight record with a 9.72-pound golden rainbow trout during the Gold Rush in 2023 at Little Beaver Lake in Raleigh County.

The new state record was confirmed by WVDNR District 3 Fisheries Biologist Jim Walker.

“We are proud to recognize Hunter’s accomplishment,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. “His record-setting golden rainbow trout showcases the many fishing opportunities here in West Virginia and demonstrates the passion anglers of all ages bring to the sport.”

To learn more about state fish record categories, check out the West Virginia Regulations Summary here.

All anglers 15 and older must have a West Virginia fishing license, which can be purchased online at WVfish.com, as well as a trout stamp when fishing for trout.