years as Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ramps up its Texas Urban
Fishing (TUF) program in small lakes located in urban areas throughout
the state.
– Lake Mohave
“We have had a community fishing lake program for many years, but we
are interested in expanding it in major metropolitan areas,” said Bob
Betsill, a research biologist at TPWD’s Heart of the Hills Fisheries
Science Center near Kerrville. “The goal is to provide year-around,
family-oriented fishing opportunities in each of the 25 metropolitan
statistical areas in Texas. We now have eight small lakes in the
program and are currently evaluating additional ones.”
The outstanding feature of the program is frequent, repeated
stocking of fish throughout the year. “We will be partnering with
cities to set up programs to stock rainbow trout in winter and 12-inch
channel catfish the rest of the year,” Betsill said. “We’ll stock fish
every other week for about 10 months out of the year.”
For a list of lakes in the program and the stocking schedule, go to
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/news/urbcatfish05.phtml. TPWD
is also working to expand loaner fishing tackle programs at the sites.
“Research shows that most people who fish in urban fishing lakes
live within two miles of the lakes,” Betsill said. “The key to success
of the program will be involving local parks and recreation
departments, civic organizations, fishing clubs and individuals in
mentoring kids.”
– Lake Mohave
