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Go Fish: Pct. 4 stocks lakes with trout
By VAL CLIFTON
After the addition of 4,000 fish to local lakes, Northwest Houston is about to get a whole lot fishier.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has confirmed the trout stocking dates at Bane Park and Burroughs Park in Precinct 4, each of which will be stocked with 2,000 rainbow trout Jan. 16.
The trout-stocking program, which began in 1966, is supported by the sales of Texas Freshwater Fish Stamps and a 50 percent match by Harris County Precinct 4.
Pct. 4 pays for 1,000 fish at $1.25 a piece, and the TPWLD matches them, resulting in a cost of $2,500 for the county to stock the two parks with 4,000 fish, said Dennis Johnston of Commissioner Jerry Eversole’s precinct.
At Burroughs Park, Johnston said that electro-shock surveys have revealed that the bass eat the trout, resulting in nine to 10 pound fish in the lake.
The trout, which are about 9 to 12 inches long, are captive-raised in a fish hatchery that backs a truck filled with water up to the lake, and opens a shoot to release them.
The program provides anglers with a unique fishing opportunity during the winter months when warm water species are less active.
Additionally, anglers experience immense fishing success for two to three weeks after the trout are stocked, as the fish are not yet accustomed to the water.
“The cold water fish can’t live when the water temperatures get too warm,” Johnston said, “so they are all pretty much caught out or the bass eat them.”
He said Northwest residents have enjoyed the program since its inception, which is ongoing for the precinct. The hatcheries take their orders early in the summer and grow them to stock the lakes.
“It’s fun and exciting for little ones,” Johnston said. “And what better reward than to take a few fish and go out there with grandpa or dad, sit out on a bank and take it home and eat it?”
Because the fish are farm-raised, Johnston said people are most likely to catch them with corn, salmon eggs or even mini-marshmallows. There are some that catch them with artificial lures and flies.
There is a daily bag limit of five trout per angler and no minimum length limits. There is no charge to fish at the parks, however, anglers 17 years of age and older are required to purchase a $5 freshwater fishing stamp in addition to a valid Texas fishing license.
A trout stamp and fishing license may be purchased at most sporting good stores and a valid Texas driver’s license is required.
Anglers may also purchase a stamp and license over the phone by calling the Texas Parks & Wildlife credit card license sales line at 1 (800) TX LIC 4 U [1 (800) 895-4248] or online at www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
Fish stocking
WHEN: Friday, January 16, 2009
WHERE: Bane Park, 9600 W. Little York Houston, Texas 77040 and Burroughs Park, 9738 Hufsmith Road Tomball, Texas 77375
CONTACT: Precinct 4 Parks Department, (281) 353-8100
Visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us or call 1 (800) 792-1112–select 4, then 7–for a complete list of the scheduled trout stocking locations within Houston/Harris County.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has confirmed the trout stocking dates at Bane Park and Burroughs Park in Precinct 4, each of which will be stocked with 2,000 rainbow trout Jan. 16.
The trout-stocking program, which began in 1966, is supported by the sales of Texas Freshwater Fish Stamps and a 50 percent match by Harris County Precinct 4.
Pct. 4 pays for 1,000 fish at $1.25 a piece, and the TPWLD matches them, resulting in a cost of $2,500 for the county to stock the two parks with 4,000 fish, said Dennis Johnston of Commissioner Jerry Eversole’s precinct.
At Burroughs Park, Johnston said that electro-shock surveys have revealed that the bass eat the trout, resulting in nine to 10 pound fish in the lake.
The trout, which are about 9 to 12 inches long, are captive-raised in a fish hatchery that backs a truck filled with water up to the lake, and opens a shoot to release them.
The program provides anglers with a unique fishing opportunity during the winter months when warm water species are less active.
Additionally, anglers experience immense fishing success for two to three weeks after the trout are stocked, as the fish are not yet accustomed to the water.
“The cold water fish can’t live when the water temperatures get too warm,” Johnston said, “so they are all pretty much caught out or the bass eat them.”
He said Northwest residents have enjoyed the program since its inception, which is ongoing for the precinct. The hatcheries take their orders early in the summer and grow them to stock the lakes.
“It’s fun and exciting for little ones,” Johnston said. “And what better reward than to take a few fish and go out there with grandpa or dad, sit out on a bank and take it home and eat it?”
Because the fish are farm-raised, Johnston said people are most likely to catch them with corn, salmon eggs or even mini-marshmallows. There are some that catch them with artificial lures and flies.
There is a daily bag limit of five trout per angler and no minimum length limits. There is no charge to fish at the parks, however, anglers 17 years of age and older are required to purchase a $5 freshwater fishing stamp in addition to a valid Texas fishing license.
A trout stamp and fishing license may be purchased at most sporting good stores and a valid Texas driver’s license is required.
Anglers may also purchase a stamp and license over the phone by calling the Texas Parks & Wildlife credit card license sales line at 1 (800) TX LIC 4 U [1 (800) 895-4248] or online at www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
Fish stocking
WHEN: Friday, January 16, 2009
WHERE: Bane Park, 9600 W. Little York Houston, Texas 77040 and Burroughs Park, 9738 Hufsmith Road Tomball, Texas 77375
CONTACT: Precinct 4 Parks Department, (281) 353-8100
Visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us or call 1 (800) 792-1112–select 4, then 7–for a complete list of the scheduled trout stocking locations within Houston/Harris County.
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