Columnist Barb Henderson: Fish-stocking program to get under way in local waters

Barb Henderson

Friday, Nov. 1, 2002 | 9:46 a.m.

Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.

The Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW) is scheduled to begin stocking rainbow trout in the urban ponds and Lake Mead this month.

Stocking has been under way at Willow Beach in Lake Mohave since July. Other locations in Lake Mohave and three of the local urban park ponds; Lorenzi Park Pond, Sunset Park Pond and Floyd Lamb State Park are (depending on water temperature) stocked every other week from fall through early spring.

The fish-stocking program at urban ponds opens a window of opportunity for introducing children to the sport of fishing. (Fishing Seasons / Regulations are available at NDOW offices and at most sporting good stores).

According to Lake Mead Fish Hatchery manager Clyde Parke, approximately 427,700 fish are released annually into waters of four Nevada counties: Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln and Nye. They are:

For the weekly stocking schedule and locations -- call 486-6738.

Searching for a day-trip -- how about a visit to the fish hatchery?

When eggs arrive at the hatchery they're approximately 20 days old. Once hatched; sac fry are then transferred to the rearing troughs inside. At times, incubators and sac fry can be viewed from the visitor center window overlooking the indoor tanks. The time spent in the inside rearing troughs before being moved to the outdoor raceways or tanks is about four to eight weeks.

The Lake Mead Fish Hatchery, operated by NDOW is located within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, on Lake Shore Road. You'll be required to pay an entry fee at the entrance booth as you enter the LMNRA. As you travel along side the shores of Lake Mead -- watch for the brown National Park Service road sign.

Due to remodeling/refurbishment of the facility, plans are to close sometime around April 2003 until approximately January 2004, the fish-stocking program will continue through the refurbishment of the hatchery.

You can visit from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- seven days a week -- 365 days a year (except during the closure period). If you're interested in scheduling a group tour of the fish hatchery call 486-6738 and leave a message at the end of the weekly-recorded fish-stocking update.

Outdoor briefs

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: The Mt. Charleston Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will have its annual banquet on Saturday, Dec. 7 in Pahrump, Nevada. For information and/or tickets call (775) 751-5886.

Until next week -- enjoy the Great Outdoors!