A Universally Accessible Pier is Latest Feature at Westwood Park, NC
October 28, 2008
MOUNT AIRY, N.C. – New pond. New fish. New pier. As part of a multi-phase effort to bring more fishing opportunities to local anglers, the City of Mount Airy, in cooperation with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, recently completed construction of a universally accessible fishing pier on Tumbling Rock Reservoir in Westwood Park.
The 59-foot floating pier is the latest feature at Westwood Park, which is located at 1250 Galax Trail. It has a T-shape section at the end that is 48 feet long and 11 feet wide, easily accommodating several wheelchair-bound anglers. The pier features seven low handrails to make it easier for anglers in wheelchairs and children to cast their lines into the 3-acre pond, which was drained in 2005 and re-filled in September 2007.
Commission personnel stocked the pond last year with 1,350 largemouth bass and bluegill. They also stocked an additional 300 redear sunfish fingerlings this fall to create a self-sustaining fishery.
Biologists expect these young fish to grow to catchable size in two to three years. Anglers, however, will be able to fish for catchable-size channel catfish next summer when the Commission begins stocking catfish through its Community Fishing Program (CFP). The program will begin in July 2009, and 900 catfish will be stocked monthly through October. After 2009, monthly stockings will occur from May through October.
According to Kin Hodges, fisheries biologist with the Commission, the decision to delay catfish stocking until next summer will maximize the survival of the fingerlings.
“The sunfish and largemouth bass were stocked at 2 to 3 inches long. If we had stocked the channel catfish this year, they could have ended up eating a lot of the fingerlings,” Hodges said. “By waiting until 2009 to stock the catfish, most of the bass and sunfish fingerlings should be large enough to avoid being eaten by the catfish.”
Because the reservoir was refilled recently, the fingerlings have plenty of places to hide from predators.
“There are currently lots of bushes growing in the shallow areas of the pond, which took root while the pond was drawn down for renovations,” Hodges said. “Now that the pond has been refilled, they make great shallow-water fish habitat.”
Additionally, creek channels winding through the bottom of the pond provide deep-water sanctuaries for fish.
“Fish like these types of places because they like to hang out in deep water, while still being close to shallow water,” Hodges added.
To facilitate access to the pond, public services and park personnel constructed a universally accessible paved trail connecting the main parking area to the pond. The trail encircles the pond, providing excellent access for bank anglers.
“The trail leading to the pond is closed to vehicles so anglers have to walk about 1/5 of a mile to the pond from the parking area,” said Jeff Boyles, Mt. Airy director of public services. “However, anglers with disabilities will be allowed to drive to the pond, and there are several parking spaces designated as universally accessible right beside the pond.”
The fish stockings, fishing pier and plans to install a floating fish feeder in 2009 are part of a fisheries management plan jointly developed by Hodges and Mt. Airy officials through the Commission’s Community Fishing Program
.
The Community Fishing Program is a cooperative venture between the Commission and local governments to provide more fishing opportunities in city and county parks, particularly for the young, elderly and physically challenged. Program expenses are cost-shared with local cooperators, with the Commission providing 75 percent of the operating funds through the Sport Fish Restoration Fund and local cooperators paying the remaining 25 percent.
In addition to partnering with the Wildlife Commission, the City of Mount Airy secured funding for Westwood Park from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the Resource Institute, according to Catrina Alexander, Mt. Airy director of parks and recreation.
“Westwood Park is a great example of local government developing partnerships to stretch its budget and to maximize recreational opportunities for the community,” Alexander said. “Families visiting Westwood Park can have fun on our two ball fields, a picnic shelter, playground area, par fitness golf, a 9-hole Frisbee golf course, 6 miles of mountain bike trails, nearly 1 ½ miles of gravel and paved trails, and of course, the new fishing pier on Tumbling Rock Reservoir.”
For more information about Westwood Park, call the Mt. Airy Parks and Recreation Department at 336-786-8313, or visit www.mountairy.org.
For more information about the Wildlife Commission’s Community Fishing Program or fishing in the state’s public, inland waters, click here, or call the Division of Inland Fisheries, (919) 707-0220.
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New Mexico Weekly Fishing Report - 6/17/2008
June 17, 2008
Lake levels — Click here for the latest water storage reports from New Mexico reservoirs.
June 17, 2008
This fishing report has been generated from the best information available from officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, however, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.
Catches of the week
Ute Lake: June 8, Jeremy Fleck of Capitan caught a 5.5-pound largemouth bass. He was using a tube in 12 feet of water.
Conchas Lake: June 14, Franco Vallejos of Albuquerque caught a 5.10-pound largemouth bass. He was using a senko. June 15, Mark Adams of Edgewood caught a 5.13-pound largemouth bass. He was using a jig.
Lake Maloya: June 15, Soriah Martinez, 4, of Raton, caught a 24-inch, 4-pound rainbow trout. It was her first fish and she caught it on a black Pistol Pete.
Red River Pond: June 14, Caleb Key, 5, of Los Alamos, caught and released a 17-inch and a 16-inch rainbow trout. He was using yellow Power Bait and caught several other trout.
Abiquiu Lake: June 9, Bill Vargas of Corrales caught a 22.5-inch brown trout. He was trolling a red Reef Runner. June 12, Veronica Madrid of Coyote caught a 29-inch, 7-pound, 14-ounce walleye. She was using Gulp.
Elephant Butte: June 15, Robert Wiles of El Paso caught a 4.5-pound largemouth bass. He was fishing in McRae Canyon, using a chatter bait and caught the fish in 5 feet of water.
If you have a catch of the week story or just want to tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing experience, send it to us at fishforfun2 [at] hotmail [dot] com. We may include your story in our next report. For catches of the week include name, date, location, type of fish, length and bait used.
NORTHEAST AREA
CHARETTE LAKES: Trout fishing on the lower lake was rated as sporadic by most anglers this past week. A few limits were caught but several anglers reported catching only 2 or 3 fish. Best baits were power bait, spinners and salmon eggs.
CIMARRON RIVER: Water flow near below Eagle Nest as of Monday was 14cfs. Trout fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using small gold spinners, mayfly nymphs, salmon eggs and worms. Fishing at the Gravel Pit Lakes was slow-to-fair using Pistol Petes, power bait and salmon eggs.
CLAYTON LAKE: Night fishing was quite good this past week. Anglers did well using worms, corn and spinner/worm combinations for a mix of catfish, trout and walleye. We had no reports on other species.
CONCHAS LAKE: Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass was good again this past week for anglers using tubes, sweet beavers, salt craws, senkos, crank baits, jerk baits and top water lures. Most of the bass caught were in less than 8 feet of water. Fishing for crappie slowed but there were a few taken by anglers using minnows, tubes and jigs. Walleye fishing was fair for some anglers but very good for others using Rat-L-Traps, senkos, grubs, jigs, spinner/worm rigs and tubes. Anglers reported catching walleye near Rattlesnake Island, near the dam and at the upper end of the lake. Night fishing for catfish was good using liver, shrimp and night crawlers. Fishing for bluegill was good using worms and flies.
COYOTE CREEK: We had no reports from anglers this week.
EAGLE NEST LAKE: Fishing from boats was good this past week as anglers caught quite a number of rainbow trout and kokanee. They were trolling spinner/worm and spinner/corn combinations and still fishing with worms and power bait. Fishing from the bank was fair for anglers using worms, power bait and salmon eggs for a mix of perch and rainbow trout.
HOPEWELL LAKE: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using power bait, salmon eggs, spinners and olive and black wooly buggers.
LAKE MALOYA/LAKE ALICE: Trout fishing was rated as fair by anglers at both lakes this past week. On Maloya, best baits were home made dough baits, power bait, salmon eggs, spinners and Pistol Petes. At Lake Alice anglers did best using home made dough baits and power bait.
MAXWELL LAKES: Trout fishing was slow. Fishing pressure was light.
MCALLISTER LAKE: Due to poor water quality, the lake will remain closed until further notice.
MONASTERY LAKE: Trout fishing was fair-to-good for anglers using Pistol Petes under a bubble, corn, power bait, salmon eggs and small spinners.
MORPHY LAKE: Trout fishing was fair for anglers using yellow power bait, salmon eggs, spinners, Pistol Petes and worms.
PECOS RIVER: Water flow near the town of Pecos as of Monday morning was 203cfs. Trout fishing was fair-to-good using spinners, copper john barrs, elk hair caddis, night crawlers, wooly worms and wooly buggers.
RED RIVER: Water flow below the hatchery was 262cfs. Trout fishing was slow-to-fair using spinners and night crawlers.
RIO GRANDE: The water flow Monday morning at the Taos Junction Bridge was 1,940cfs. Trout fishing was slow but there were a few fish taken by anglers using night crawlers and spinners. We had no reports on other species.
SPRINGER LAKE: Fishing was good using large in line spinners, jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps for northern pike. Fishing was fair-to-good using worms and cut bait for channel catfish and mud cats. We had no reports on other species.
STORRIE LAKE: Trout fishing was fair this past week for anglers using spinners, power bait and salmon eggs. Fishing for catfish was fair using worms and liver.
STUBBLEFIELD: We had no reports from anglers this week.
UTE LAKE: Fishing for catfish was very good this past week for anglers fishing at night and using liver, night crawlers and cut bait. Fishing for white bass was good for anglers working the main lake and Canadian arm and casting or trolling crank baits at depths of 8-to-14 feet. Fishing for walleye was a bit sporadic but some anglers did well trolling crank baits and bottom bouncer/worm rigs. Fishing for largemouth bass was fair-to-good for anglers using senkos, tubes, crank baits, jerk baits and top water lures. Most of the largemouth were in less than 10 feet of water. Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair for anglers working rocky points and using worms and lizards on drop shot rigs. Fishing for bluegill was good using worms.
NORTHWEST AREA
ABIQUIU LAKE: Fishing was good-to-excellent this past week for anglers fishing for walleye. They did well using leeches, grubs, Gulp minnows, live minnows, crank baits and tubes. Several anglers reported catching limits in just a few hours each day. Some of the walleye were suspended over deep water while other were on the flats and on brushy points. Fishing was fair-to-good using shrimp and liver for catfish up to 8 pounds. A few of the catfish were taken at the upper end of the lake while other were caught near the main boat ramp and in the Canones Creek areas. Fishing was fair-to-good using jerk baits, top water lures, crank baits and tubes for smallmouth bass. Good reports came from anglers fishing from the boat ramp to Canones Creek. A few brown trout were taken by anglers trolling crank baits at the upper end of the lake.
ALBUQUERQUE AREA DRAINS: Fishing pressure on the drains was very light but there were a few catfish caught by anglers fishing the Belen Drain and using worms. We had no reports on other species.
BLUEWATER LAKE: Fishing was slow for all species. However, one angler reported catching several stocker size rainbows while drifting a Pistol Pete.
CANJILON LAKES: Fishing was slow.
CHAMA RIVER: Monday morning water flows below El Vado and Abiquiu were 795cfs and 1,560cfs respectively. Fishing below El Vado was fair for anglers using night crawlers and black and gold spinners for brown trout up to 19 inches and power bait and salmon eggs for rainbows. Fishing below Abiquiu was slow.
COCHITI LAKE: Fishing was fair using tubes and senkos in shallow water for largemouth bass. A few were also taken on top water lures. Fishing was slow-to-fair for anglers using liver and night crawlers for catfish. We had no reports on other species. The water was quite murky and had dropped considerably from the previous week.
EL VADO LAKE: Fishing continued to be quite good for rainbow trout and brown trout. Anglers did well using orange spinners and spoons, power bait and night crawlers. The best reports came from anglers fishing between the main boat ramp and the dam.
FARMINGTON LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
FENTON LAKE: Trout fishing was good this past week for anglers using copper john barrs, power bait, corn, salmon eggs and night crawlers.
HERON LAKE: Kokanee and rainbow trout fishing picked up considerably in the past few days as the water started clearing a bit. Anglers reported catching limits of kokanee and rainbows while trolling double whammies and yellow Panther Martins with red spots tipped with corn. Most of the fish were at 8-to-12 feet over 20-to-30 feet of water. Fishing for lake trout was slow.
JEMEZ WATERS: Water flow on the Jemez as of Monday morning was 30cfs near Jemez Springs. Trout fishing on the Jemez, the San Antonio, East Fork and the Rio Las Vacas was good-to-excellent for anglers using hoppers, royal wulffs, parachute adams, small gold and silver spinners, worms and salmon eggs. Fishing on the Guadalupe was fair for anglers using hoppers, spinners and night crawlers.
LAGUNA Del CAMPO: (Burns Canyon Lake) Trout fishing was fair-to-good using power bait, salmon eggs, Pistol Petes and spinners.
MANZANO LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
MCGAFFEY LAKE: Fishing was slow-to-fair using corn/marshmallow combinations and night crawlers for catfish. A few trout were taken by anglers using night crawlers and spinners.
NAVAJO LAKE: Fishing was fair-to-good using jigs and tubes for crappie and fishing in Francis Canyon and La Jara Canyon. Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass was fair for anglers using jerk baits, baby brush hogs, tubes, crank baits, senkos, worms, spinners, wooly buggers and top water lures. Fishing for northern pike was fair-to-good using crank baits, jerk baits and spinner baits. Most of the pike action was reported by anglers fishing the San Juan arm. Fishing for trout and kokanee was slow-to-fair for anglers trolling the main body of the lake and using Arnies and Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for bluegill was fair for anglers using worms.
RAMAH LAKE: Trout fishing was slow-to-fair for anglers using power bait and worms.
SAN JUAN: Water flow below Navajo Lake as of Monday morning was at 5,180cfs and will remain around 5,000cfs until June 19. The flow will then be reduced over the next several days to 500cfs. Trout fishing from boats was good using streamers, wooly buggers, hair jigs, bright colored San Juan worms, leeches and egg patterns. Fishing through the bait waters was fair using wooly buggers, night crawlers, spinners and jerk baits.
SANTA CRUZ LAKE: Trout fishing was slow-to-fair for anglers using spinners, spoons, small crank baits, salmon eggs, corn and power bait.
SEVEN SPRINGS BROOD POND: It’s just for kids under 12 and the trout fishing was good this past week. Best baits were salmon eggs, spinners and power bait.
TINGLEY BEACH: Fishing at the Youth and Central Ponds was fair using worms for bluegill, catfish and bass. At the Catch and Release Pond trout fishing was fair early in the day for anglers using parachute adams, scuds, BWOs and leeches.
SOUTHWEST AREA
BEAR CANYON: We had no reports from anglers this week.
BILL EVANS LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
BURN LAKE: Fishing was slow.
CABALLO LAKE: Fishing was fair using crank baits, minnows, tubes and grubs at the north end, along the east side of the lake and near the dam for white bass. A few walleye were taken by anglers using minnows, crank baits and grubs. We had no reports on other species. The water was quite murky.
ELEPHANT BUTTE: Striped bass fishing continued to be very good this past week. Most of the stripers caught were in the 8-to-17 pound class and most were caught by anglers using live shiners or gizzard shad. A few were also taken on jigs, umbrella rigs and top water lures. Fishing at night was good for anglers using worms and minnows. They caught a mixed bag of catfish, walleye, white bass, black bass, striped bass, crappie and bullheads. A good bit of the night time success was by anglers fishing a few feet off the bottom on main lake points in 15 feet of water. Fishing for white bass was good for anglers trolling crank baits and casting crank baits and grubs. Fishing for black bass was good using senkos, tubes, sweet beavers, jigs, jerk baits and top water lures. Walleye fishing was good for anglers trolling in McRae Canyon. They were using chartreuse and white crank baits. Crappie fishing was fair for anglers using chartreuse and white grubs and small jigs.
ESCONDIDA LAKE: Fishing was fair using worms and dough bait for catfish.
GILA RIVER: Water flow on the Gila as of this past Monday was 23cfs. We had no reports from anglers this week.
LAKE ROBERTS: We had no reports from anglers this week.
PERCHA DAM: Fishing was fair using grubs, crank baits, jigs and minnows for white bass and a few walleye.
QUEMADO LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
RIO GRANDE: Water flow below Elephant Butte on Monday was 1,830cfs. Fishing on the river below Caballo was slow-to-fair using minnows, grubs and crank baits for white bass. Anglers using minnows and night crawlers caught a few catfish. We had no reports on other species.
SNOW LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
SOUTHEAST AREA
BATAAN LAKE: Fishing was fair using night crawlers, dough bait and liver for catfish. Anglers reported good fishing in the early morning and late evening hours. We had no reports on other species.
BONITO LAKE: Effective May 1, the lake was closed due to high fire danger in the area. Look for updates from the Lincoln National Forest for additional information.
BOSQUE REDONDO: Fishing was fair for anglers using night crawlers and stink bait for catfish. A few largemouth bass were taken by anglers using spinners and worms.
BOTTOMLESS LAKES: Fishing was slow. Stocking has been suspended due to a golden algae bloom.
BRANTLEY LAKE: Anglers are to practice catch and release for all fish here as high levels of DDT were found in several fish.
CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
GRINDSTONE RESERVOIR: Trout fishing was good for anglers using spinners, Pistol Petes, power bait and salmon eggs.
JAL LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
LAKE VAN: We had no reports from anglers this week.
PECOS RIVER: Water flow on Monday below Sumner Lake was 151cfs. Fishing was slow.
PERCH LAKE: We had no reports from anglers this week.
RUIDOSO RIVER: Water flow at Ruidoso on Monday was .51cfs. Trout fishing was slow.
SANTA ROSA LAKE: Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass was fair for anglers using senkos, crank baits, tubes, jerk baits, salt craws and top water lures. A few walleye were taken by anglers using grubs, crank baits and night crawlers. A major water release was scheduled to begin on the 16th and last for about 2 weeks. Check with the state park office at 505-472-3110 for boat launching conditions over the next few weeks.
SUMNER LAKE: Fishing for walleye was slow-to-fair again this past week. Best baits were grubs, tubes, crank baits, minnows, spinner/night crawler rigs. Fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass was fair using top water lures, crank baits, tubes and salt craws. We had no reports on other species. Fishing conditions will change drastically over the next 2 weeks as water from Santa Rosa Lake will be passing through on its way to Carlsbad.
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DFG Announces Free Fishing Day on June 7
June 4, 2008
Anglers will fish for free June 7, when the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will waive the license requirement for citizens 16 or older. Free Fishing Day, the first of two offered by DFG this year, allows people the opportunity to fish on all freshwater and ocean waters in California.
“The Department of Fish and Game encourages experienced anglers to become instructors and to approach the event as a ‘share the sport’ day,” said Joe Ferreira, coordinator of the Sacramento area Fishing in the City program. “It is a perfect opportunity to take friends who have never fished out to give it a try. You won’t have to ask your new students to purchase a license at this time and it should prove to be great fun for all of you.”
While a fishing license is not required, all other fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, fishing hours and stream closures, remain in effect. Also, on Free Fishing Day, every angler must have the appropriate report card if they are fishing for abalone, steelhead, sturgeon or for salmon in the Klamath-Trinity river system.
DFG’s Fishing in the City program, which began in 1993, takes advantage of the free days to offer an opportunity to discover the joys of the sport in the state’s most populated metropolitan areas. A second day for free fishing is scheduled Sept. 27. More information is available on the program at www.dfg.ca.gov/fishinginthecity.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, the following lakes will be stocked with one-pound rainbow trout prior to Free Fishing Day: Lake Merced North, Campbell Perc Pond, Lake Cunningham, Lake Chabot, Paradise Beach Park Pier and Lake Cottonwood. A learn-to-fish clinic will be offered at Lake Cunningham Regional Park in San Jose with equipment and instruction provided. Each adult may register up to two children. Adults will be allowed to fish if they complete the clinic. For more information, please go to www.dfg.ca.gov/fishinginthecity/sf/events.html.
The Southern California Fishing in the City program will co-sponsor a free youth fishing derby from 7 a.m. to noon at Cerritos Regional Park in Cerritos. In addition, DFG will be stocking seven other Southern California lakes and reservoirs with channel catfish: La Mirada Regional Park Lake, Legg Lake, Peck Road Park Lake, Puddingstone Reservoir, Santa Fe Reservoir, John Anson Ford Park Lake and Wilderness Park Lake.
In the Sacramento area, a fishing clinic will be held at William Land Park from 8:30 a.m. to noon and a fishing derby will be held at Oak Grove Park in Stockton from 6:15 a.m. to noon. Fish will also be stocked at Hagan Park, Howe Park and Elk Grove Park.
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Go Fish, No License Needed
June 3, 2008
The one day each year that a fishing license is not required for anyone is Free Fishing Day - this year on Saturday, June 7.
Free fishing includes salmon; anglers don’t need a license or salmon permit, but they are still subject to all bag and possession limits.
To go fishing on any other day, anglers will need to buy a fishing license. Resident children under age 14 never need a fishing license. All other fishing regulations still apply. Be sure to check the regulations for the area you intend to fish.
Never been fishing before? No problem. Fishing events, sponsored by Idaho Department of Fish and Game regional offices, are planned all around the state. Fishing rods are usually provided, as well as some basic instruction on how to fish.
Fish and Game personnel and volunteers will be on hand to help first time anglers discover the joys of fishing at the following free events:
Panhandle Region (Pete Gardner: 208-769-1414)
- Bonners Ferry - Snow Creek Pond, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Calder - Calder Pond, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Clark Fork - Clark Fork Lodge Pond, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Coeur d’Alene - Ponderosa Springs Golf Course, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Enaville - Steamboat Ponds, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Harrison - Harrison Marina, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Mullan - Lucky Friday Pond, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Post Falls - Post Falls Park Pond, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Rathdrum - Rathdrum City Park, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Sandpoint (near Sagle) - Round Lake State Park, 9 a.m. to noon.
- Priest Lake - Priest Lake Golf Course, 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 8.
Clearwater Region (Mike Demick: 208-799-5010) All events 9 a.m. to noon. The Mann Lake and Spring Valley events will have several educational activity stations designed for young anglers that include casting and fishing contests, aquariums with live fish, Gyotaku fish printing, basic fish identification and a cleaning and cooking demonstration.
- Elk City - Karolyn’s Pond.
- Grangeville - Wilkin’s Pond.
- Headquarters/Pierce/Weippe - Deer Creek Reservoir.
- Kooskia - Fenn Pond, 5 miles from Lowell on Forest Service Road 223.
- Lewiston - Mann Lake.
- Moscow/Troy - Spring Valley Reservoir.
- Riggins - Box Canyon Pond (Long Gulch Pond).
Southwest Region (Evin Oneale: 208-465-8465)