Fishing Forum

The growth of Utah's Urban / Community Fishing has been phenominal!

How many guys & gals out there fish the urban ponds & Streams?
[signature]

Judging from the daily crowds at Meadow Creek Pond in Roy, I would say that there are a lot of folks that are fishing the community ponds. Me and my Grandson for one, or is that two!
What a great concept! A fishing pond that is close to home. Now you can take the little ones fishing without spending several hours on the road, only to fish for an hour or so and then go all the way back home.
The DWR and the communities that have these ponds have given us a great opportunity here in Utah.
And don't forget about the Kids Fishing Clubs that are taught at these ponds. As I see it, the community ponds are a valuable asset to Utah.
[signature]

I am with you on that ... Did you know that Arizona has the same program as us but they have separated the Urban development and the kids fishing groups. They also have a Class "U" License ($16.00)for fishing urban ponds and streams. You pay for a "U" license and that money goes to the urban program directly ...

I wounder what utah angler's would think about a class "U" License or even a special "Urban Stamp" that allows you to fish the urban areas. Of course the fees from that license or stamp would have to go directly in to the urban budget for budget, expansion and up-keep. A Self-sustaining urban fisheries program ... what a concept!

I for one think that a simple stamp would help the Urban program out tremendously! What ... 5 bucks gets you access to all the urban fisheries and puts a stronghold on Drew's program and future.

Sign me up!

I think I should let this discussion formulate and then get a hold of drew.
[signature]

I would like to hear from all anglers who read this thread and their thoughts about the Community Fisheries Program. This year we will have stocked 120,000 pounds of catchable channel catfish and somewhere around 80,000-100,000 1/2 pound trout. In the Youth program we had about 250 trained volunteers teaching 2000 kids the various skills involved in fishing as well as lessons about aquatic ecology and water quality, water cycle and ethics. Last year we had numerous volunteer projects that involved Boy Scouts, church groups and schools. They helped with aquatic habitat improvements, constructed signs, built fishing piers, bat houses, and other very important tasks. The total number of hours that volunteers donated to the community fisheries program was over 5,000.

I would very much like to hear any comments about the program as well as how continue down the very productive path that we are presently following and perhaps what the public thinks about this idea of an Urban Fishing License or Urban Fishing Stamp.
[signature]

I grew up with an "Urban Fishery" before the phrase even existed. Living in Payson my bike made many a trip to fish Spring Lake. For years only children up to age 14 were allowed to fish it. I wish that they would make some of these current Urban Fisheries restricted to children only. I remember being in WalMart one evening last year looking at fishing tackle. A man was there purchasing a new fishing rod. He was bragging about how many huge albino trout he had caught at the Farmington Pond. One had broken his rod. He said he thought that they had just about caught all of the large fish that they recently planted. I thought to myself -- "Why not leave them in there for the kids to catch?" -- but I didn't want to get in an argument with him.
[signature]

WOW! That is a lot of fish man!

I think it's a great idea! Either one would work for me!
[signature]

I have fished Salem Pond and Spring Lake. They are both very close to home and perfect for me to take my 1 year old son out for a quick fishing trip. He's far too young to go on a full-blown fishing outing somewhere, and these areas have plenty of easy shore access where it's safe to get near the water without fighting steep banks and the fishing is good enough to ensure a good time.

I'm glad that there are these urban fisheries. I know for me, though, that a requiring something additional besides the regular fishing license would deter me from using them. I'd just go to Utah Lake, Payson Lakes, or some other fishery. Now, if you wanted to sell a license that was a subset of a real license, as in, for less than what a full fishing license costs you can buy an Urban Fisheries License, allowing you to fish only the urban fisheries, that I would support, and allow all license fees from that type of license to go into the urban fishery program.

As far as restricting it to only kids, I think that's great, but don't do it to all urban fisheries. A select few aughtta do. An make the wording clear enough so that parents don't get cited for fishing if they're just helping their kids cast out and such.
[signature]

Not to step on toes ...

Urban fisheries are not just for kids guys ... seniors use them as well as us die-hard fishermen. The kids just happen to be the driving force. The "future" is what we need to be concerned about ... 5 bucks for a stamp to ensure the future of urban fishing and keeping the quality we have? What are your concerns? Besides the 5 bucks ... What other concerns?
[signature]

That's right. Seniors and those with a physical handicap can greatly benefit from these programs as well.

I do not have any other concerns other than the 5 bucks. I think the state should see the value of this program and appropriate the funds required to continue expanding the urban fisheries program. The cost is not relatively high, and the benefit is huge for our communities.

I just know for me personally, that if it requires me to pay a little extra beyond my regular fishing license, then personally I'll just fish regular waters instead. Those kids, seniors, and others who wish to fish in the urban fisheries would then have to pay more to fish there. We should spread it evenly over everybody and just increase the general fishing license by 50 cents or a dollar to pay for it.
[signature]

[#505000]I think a $5 stamp to use the Urban fisheries is a great idea, or a seperate lincese. Like Kent I too grew up in Payson, and it was a 20 mintue bike ride from my house to Salem Pond. I spent many a happy summer day catching trout with my buddies out of that pond. I use urban fisheries sometimes and I'm not big on the idea of kids only. Seniors, and those of us who want to strech some string but don't have a lot of time to go on an excursion should be able to use them. [/#505000]
[#505000][/#505000]
[#505000]My only stipulation I have on the urban fisheries is I wish they had a tighter limit or a slot limit. I still fish them from time to time and it seems like it's a harvest fest for some. I like to harvest some fish to eat, but I also will release them if I have more than I can use, or if they are in my opinion too small. I get tired sometimes of the cookie cutter sized planters that come out of these urban fisheries and I rarely keep anything I catch out of them.[/#505000]
[#505000][/#505000]
[#505000]I realize it is a lot of fun for the kids to catch and keep fish but I always shake my head when I see 2 ten year old boys limit out then leave with a mess of "under sized" fish (I've seen some kept as small as 8 inches). I wonder how many of those fish will actually be eaten and how many are just trophys which will find their way to a trash can in short order. I would put money on the majority of those fish going to waste. Smaller limits I think would solve this problem and also require less stocking of these ponds, b[/#505000][#505000]ut hey what do I know. Just my 2 cents.[/#505000]
[signature]

I like the thought of some more urban fishing spots for those quick trips with scouts or young children. I even think the age limit is a good thing. I did feel a bit disappointed when Sklyer pond was changed to a under 14 age limit. I used to love spending my lunch time fishing there. It just took one spot out of my regular lunch time routine. I think that it is necessary to teach young kids to fish and to be responsible stewards of our resources. I often see these ponds abused with kids taking everything they catch and leaving trash messes around the area. Chicken.
[signature]

Hey Kev,

Clarification is the key and not only that, how about strict control over the ponds / streams?

It seems to me that we are too loose on our enforcement.

What do you guys think about the stamp idea over the "U" Class License?
[signature]

I agree with the idea of a smaller limit at the community ponds. I would like to see a limit of two catfish and two trout at these ponds. The trout are seasonal at many of the ponds but with a four fish limit on them, they get fished out way before the next stocking. By lowering the limit to two fish of each species,we are teaching selective harvest to our youth and still letting them take a fish or two home with them. It would also make it harder for those people that want to catch every the fish in the pond, to take more than their limit home. As far as additional cost is concerned, a $5.00 stamp or U-license would be fine for me but the seniors would suffer and may not be able to pay for it. I like the idea of a small increase on the general fishing license cost if it could be held in a restricted fund that could only be used for the benefit of Urban Ponds.
[signature]

I agree enforcement is too loose on the urban ponds, as well as every other water in the state. The problem is not desire to enforce, but rather lack of personnel to enforce. Maybe some of the extra $$ could be used to hire another Conservation Officer to specifically patrol the urban fishery waters.
[signature]

$5.00 for anyone 16 to 60. Kids and seniors free. I take my nephew to these ponds all the time. We catch and release all fishies caught.
[signature]

[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Personally I have enjoyed willow pond in the past. I used to take my boys there to as they call it to “trap a fish” (no we don’t use traps just the way they phrase it). They love going fishing and having a couple beers (root beer), but we stopped going to willow do to the fact that we were no longer catching fish. It just became disheartening when I would see able bodied men in droves fishing there. [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]As for the $5 stamp I am all for it if it was to help limit people that abuse the urban ponds. As in law enforcement and a lower bag limit. As for the people that don’t feel a $5 stamp is worth it. Come on guys, that is only 2 gallons of gas if that. I know I spend a lot more in gas going anywhere else on one trip. So if my boys could catch fish for $5 and it helped insure the urban ponds for the future. I am all for it, plus maybe if we added another buck to the license to add more ponds around the state. We are talking about only 6 bucks here people to increase and make better a great program. [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]As for just making it a kid only fishing area, I think we should have some ponds that are that way. Just a couple cents worth here [/size][/font]
[signature]

Ah Ha!

What a great idea! $5.00 Stamp for all of us "regulars" with kids & seniors free!

My only concern really is that Drew won't see that money if it's tagged on the end of reg license. He has worked so hard along with the comm"unity" 's of Utah to make the spots hot! With the demand ... It just fits.
[signature]

I think the community ponds are great! I think things should be left alone. The regulations we have now are fine. I'm not hotly oppossed to a small fee but I would admit that it may be somewhat discouraging to a number of people. The four fish limit is strict enough. The ponds don't need to necessarily guarantee a fish for everyone who goes as long as the majority of people can catch a fish or two to keep them interested in the sport. It is unthinkable to even try to keep the ponds constantly full of stocked fish. That would cost way too much. The stocking schedule currently in place seems to be sufficient. Further, if most of the fish are not removed rather quickly they either starve or in the case of trout, succumb to heatstroke and float up on top as carcass that produce a rather foul stench. I'd rather have those kids and/adults using the pond to utilize some of those fish than have them just go to waste. Yes please keep the community program going!
[signature]

Good Call! Why do we have dead trout? The heat is a huge factor and it's a huge dent in Drew's money. The problem is folks love hatchery trout. We need to look at alternatives. Let's start looking around our communities for possible Urban fishing sites. With our comiitments, we can help the program grow!
[signature]

I agree that these urban fisheries are great for the community but to pay $5 this year is to bay $5.50 the next and so on. We pay taxes and buy fishing and hunting licenses that are pricey enough. If I knew that in ten years I wouldnt have to pay $15.00 to pay for U class license I would be more in favor. But just look to the past of licenses and you will know that some one wil always find a reason to up the price weather or not it is truley needed. Besides what about those families who can barely scrape up the funds for a fishing license now. I know the exist because I used to be one of them. On a side note I agree that every one should be aloud to fish these ponds but make them catch & release only exept for youth and seniors. I get tired of going to the pond in roy and watching people keep fish 8 inchs long or even smaller. There are just certain types of people that will keep every single thing they keep. I feel better now that Ive ranted&raved a litlle. Thanks for listening to this mans opinion!
[signature]