The Cheat Lake Catfish Tournament runs each summer and draws anglers from across the region
The Cheat Lake Catfish Tournament is an annual summer event held on Cheat Lake in northern West Virginia, typically running in July or August. The tournament is open to recreational anglers of all skill levels, and you fish from the shore or from a boat — both methods are allowed. Anglers compete to catch the heaviest catfish, with prizes awarded for top finishers in different weight categories. Entry fees are modest, usually in the $20 to $40 range per angler, though the exact amount and dates shift year to year.
The lake itself is a reliable catfish fishery, stocked regularly with channel catfish and home to populations of flathead catfish as well. Most tournament participants use simple live-bait rigs — chicken liver, cut shad, or live bluegill — fished on the bottom in deeper holes or along drop-offs where catfish hold during the day. The tournament typically runs for a single day or a weekend, with weigh-ins held at a central location on the lake.
Key Takeaways
- Entry fees run between $20 and $40 per angler, and you can fish from shore or boat depending on the tournament rules for that year.
- Cheat Lake holds both channel catfish and flathead catfish, with the heaviest fish usually caught in deeper water or along structure.
- Live bait — chicken liver, cut shad, or live bluegill — is the standard approach and often more effective than prepared dough balls.
- Tournament dates and specific rules change annually, so contact the event organizer or check the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website before you register.
- Most tournaments award prizes for the heaviest single fish and sometimes for the heaviest five-fish limit, depending on the format.
How to register and what the entry includes
Registration typically opens a few weeks before the tournament and closes the day before or the morning of the event. You can usually register in person at a local bait shop, marina, or tackle store near Cheat Lake, or by phone with the tournament organizer. Some years the event is run by a local fishing club, other years by a state parks office or a chamber of commerce — the organizer changes, so confirm who is running it that year before you send money.
Your entry fee covers your spot in the tournament and access to the weigh-in. Most tournaments do not provide bait, tackle, or a boat — you bring your own gear and either fish from shore or arrange your own boat access. A few tournaments include a meal or refreshments at the weigh-in, but this varies. Ask the organizer what is included when you register so you know what to bring.
What gear and bait work best on Cheat Lake
Catfish on Cheat Lake respond well to live bait fished on simple rigs. A basic setup is a three-way rig with a sinker on one leg to hold bottom and a baited hook on another, or a slip-sinker rig with the weight sliding freely above the hook. Use a rod rated for medium to medium-heavy power — a 6- to 7-foot rod with a conventional or spinning reel works fine. Spool with 15- to 20-pound monofilament or braided line; catfish do not require light tackle, and heavier line lets you land fish faster and move to new spots.
Live bait outperforms prepared baits on tournament day. Chicken liver is traditional and easy to keep, but live bluegill or shad — if you can get them — often draw bigger fish. Cut shad is a middle ground: it stays on the hook longer than chicken liver and smells strong enough to pull fish from a distance. Fish the deepest holes you can find, or along the edges where shallow water drops off into deeper channels. Catfish hunt by smell and feel, not sight, so casting accuracy matters less than putting bait in the right depth zone.
Tournament rules and what disqualifies a catch
Rules vary by year and organizer, but most Cheat Lake tournaments follow these standards: fish must be caught during the official tournament hours, usually from dawn to mid-afternoon. All fish must be alive or freshly dead when weighed — no fish that have been dead for hours or kept on ice all day. The minimum size is typically 12 inches, though some tournaments set it at 15 inches; confirm the size limit when you register because undersized fish are usually disqualified and may result in a penalty.
Most tournaments allow a five-fish limit per angler, meaning you can weigh up to five catfish. Some tournaments weigh only your heaviest single fish; others weigh your entire catch and rank anglers by total weight. Read the rules sheet carefully when you register — the scoring method affects your strategy. Catch-and-release tournaments are rare on Cheat Lake, so expect that weighed fish are kept.
Where to fish on Cheat Lake during the tournament
Cheat Lake has several public access points, and most tournaments allow fishing from any of them. The main public boat launches are at Cheat Lake State Park and at the Cheat Lake Marina near Morgantown. Shore fishing is possible at several spots along the lake's perimeter, though some areas are private property — stick to public land or ask permission before you set up. The lake is roughly 10 miles long, so scout a few spots the day before if you can, or arrive early on tournament day to find a productive area before the official start.
Catfish concentrate in deeper water during the heat of summer, so focus on holes 20 to 40 feet deep if you have a depth finder. If you are fishing from shore, look for points where the bank drops off steeply, or for areas with fallen trees and rock piles — structure holds catfish. The upper end of the lake, where the Cheat River enters, often holds good numbers of fish because current brings food and oxygen.
Preparing your catch for the weigh-in
Keep your catfish alive in a cooler with lake water or a livewell if you are fishing from a boat. Change the water every hour or so to keep oxygen levels up — a dead fish will be disqualified or penalized. Do not ice your fish until after weigh-in. Bring a damp towel to the weigh-in station; the scale operator will want to wipe the fish dry before weighing, and a wet fish can throw off the reading by a few ounces.
If you are fishing from shore and do not have a livewell, bring a large bucket or cooler with a lid and keep it in the shade. Catfish are hardy and tolerate crowding better than most fish, but they still need oxygen. If you catch several fish early, consider releasing smaller ones to make room for larger ones you might catch later — tournament rules usually allow this as long as the fish are released unharmed and you weigh only your best catch at the end.
When and where to find tournament information
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources posts information about fishing tournaments on its website, though not all local tournaments are listed there. Your best source is the organizer directly — call ahead or check with local bait and tackle shops near Cheat Lake, which often have flyers or know who is running the event that year. Facebook pages for West Virginia fishing clubs sometimes announce tournaments a month or two in advance, giving you time to plan.
If you cannot find information online, contact the Cheat Lake State Park office or the Morgantown Parks and Recreation Department; they often know which clubs or organizations are running events on the lake. Registering early — a week or two before the tournament — gives you time to ask questions about rules, entry fees, and what to bring, and it guarantees your spot if the tournament has a cap on entries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a West Virginia fishing license to enter the tournament?
Yes. A valid West Virginia fishing license is required to fish in any tournament on public water. You can purchase a license online through the Division of Natural Resources website, at any bait shop, or at most Walmart locations. A one-day license costs less than a full-year license if you only fish occasionally.
Can I fish with my family members in the same tournament?
Yes, as long as each person registers separately and pays their own entry fee. Most tournaments do not have team divisions, so you would compete individually even if you fish the same spot. Some tournaments do offer a family or group discount on entry fees — ask the organizer when you register.
What happens if I catch a fish that is too small or too large?
Undersized fish are disqualified and cannot be weighed. Most tournaments do not have a maximum size limit, so a very large flathead catfish is a prize, not a problem. If you catch an undersized fish, release it unharmed and keep fishing. Keep a measuring tape in your tackle box so you can check size before you commit to keeping a fish.
Is there a rain date if the tournament is cancelled?
That depends on the organizer. Some tournaments reschedule to the following weekend if weather is severe; others run rain or shine. Ask when you register whether there is a rain date or a refund policy if the event is cancelled.
Can I use multiple rods during the tournament?
Most tournaments allow two or three rods per angler, though rules vary. Check the rules sheet when you register — using more rods than allowed can result in disqualification. Having two rods in the water lets you cover different depths or bait types at the same time, which can improve your odds.