Columnist Barb Henderson: Stocking at Willow Beach sets off a run of fishing success

Barb Henderson

Friday, July 9, 2004 | 9:25 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.

Anglers of all ages were catching fish over the long holiday weekend.

"Yes, anglers were hooked on and lots of people were having lots of fun," said Chester Figiel Jr., hatchery manager for Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery.

The excitement began when the hatchery released approximately 1,500 to 2,000 12-inch trout and an additional 10 rainbows weighing between 4 and 5 pounds into the waters of the Colorado River at Lake Mohave.

The hatchery, built in 1960, conducted the first rainbow trout release in 1961.

You might say the hatchery is a keeper.

After nearly two years, with a $1 million construction job under way at the hatchery, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service -- the agency that manages the hatchery -- started its fish-stocking program again on July 2.

The two-year construction job was to reconstruct 20 of the 40 raceways because of safety concerns from the old concrete breaking up.

The Fish and Wildlife Service plans to release approximately 8,000 rainbow trout each month until the end of the year. Then, they hope to be able to increase the number released to 12,000 rainbow trout each month.

"We will stock every Friday at Willow Beach -- forever, or until we run out of fish," said Figiel.

The fish hatchery takes pride in its disease-free stocking program.

Rainbow trout aren't the only fish growing in size down at this river hatchery in Arizona. You'll discover endangered fish such as the razorback suckers and bonytail chub.

These two species are kept in rearing tanks until they reach the desired releasing size of 12 inches. Once they measure 12 inches, biologists transport the fish by vessel to a location down river where water temperatures are about 70 to 75 degrees and the fish are then released into the waters.

Rainbow trout are able to survive in the waters around the Willow Beach area due to the fact the water temperatures remain cooler, at 50 to 54 degrees.

In addition, the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery is open to the public for self-guided tours seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The staff working at the hatchery enjoys the opportunity to take youth groups and larger groups on tours. However, these larger groups need to setup a tour time by calling (928) 767-3456.

You can reach Willow Beach by traveling across Hoover Dam on Highway 93. Go about 14 miles past the dam, and on the right hand side of the highway will be a sign directing visitors down another five miles to the hatchery.

The Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery provides an opportunity for anglers to catch fish and to enjoy the fishing experience. Understanding and obeying all fishing regulations and laws is the responsibility of each individual angler.