Oklahoma City resident Gaston Gallant goes fishing nearly every day of the two-month trout season at Dolese Youth Park Pond, a northwest Oklahoma City fishing destination currently teeming with nearly 2,600 rainbow trout.
Just moments after the release of about 850 fish into the pond, located north of NW 50th and a half block west of Meridian Avenue, the native Canadian said trout are a big part of his and his wife's regular diet.
"We love to eat trout, and they are very expensive in the supermarket," Gallant said, emphasizing that just a state fishing license and Oklahoma City fishing permit are a small price to pay for the opportunity to catch fish near his home in Oklahoma City, where he has resided since 1978.
As part of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Close to Home Fishing Program and in partnership with the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department, the pond is stocked regularly with rainbow trout as part of a special season at the pond that runs through Feb. 28. About 90 percent of the trout stocked in the pond range from nine to 14 inches and average about a half pound in weight. The remainder of trout stocked are trophy fish up to 24 inches in length. The remaining stockings at Dolese are scheduled for Feb. 4 and Feb. 18.
According to Bob Martin, fisheries biologist for the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department who oversees fish stocking and angling activity at Dolese, a total of about 8,000 fish will be stocked in the pond throughout the two-month season.
Fishing had slowed at Dolese at the start of the New Year because of excessively cold water temperatures. While trout thrive in cool water, their activity decreases when water temperatures drop below 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
"Several inches of ice formed on Dolese, causing water temperatures to range closer to 32 degrees," said Keith Thomas, fisheries research biologist for the Wildlife Department, adding that the frozen surface of the shallow pond had for a short time hindered dedicated anglers from sinking a hook.
When the ice melts, temperatures stabilize and plenty of fish are in the pond, biologists expect fish activity to resume and trout angling to be at its best for the remainder of the season.
Trout are provided through a donation from BancFirst. These funds are crucial in providing the necessary match for Oklahoma's Sport Fish Restoration Program funding.
"BancFirst's donation is matched with sport fish restoration dollars through the Wildlife Department to supply the trout for this popular local program," said Barry Bolton, chief of fisheries for the Wildlife Department. "Their help makes this great opportunity possible for our metro anglers."
According to Martin, trout anglers at Dolese should have success using 4- to 6-pound test line equipped with a slip sinker and small hook. Choice baits include an assortment of powerbaits, corn, small worms, small minnows, small spinners, jigs and spoons.
A free Dolese trout fishing clinic will be held at Putnam City High School's Old Gymnasium from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., today to teach how to be successful during the Dolese trout season. The school is just south of the Dolese trout pond, on the south side of NW 50th Street. To pre-register for the clinic, call 755-4014.
There is a daily limit of six trout per person during the Dolese Park Pond trout season. In addition, angling is permitted from the bank only, and each angler may only use one rod and reel while fishing for trout. Trout caught and placed on a stringer or otherwise held in possession cannot be released. Catch-and-release angling is allowed all day long during the Dolese trout season, but once a fish is kept, such as put on a stringer or in a basket or bucket, it cannot be released and counts toward the angler's daily limit of six trout. Anglers can still catch trout after the Dolese trout season ends Feb. 28 under regular Close to Home fishing regulations. Regulations for other species that may be caught at Dolese, as well as other Close to Home fishing locations, are provided in the current "Oklahoma Fishing Guide" or online at wildlifedepartment.com.
Those fishing for trout at Dolese must purchase an annual state fishing license, unless exempt. In addition, an Oklahoma City fishing permit is required for anglers ages 16-61 unless exempt. No state trout license is required. For more information about trout fishing at Dolese and other Close to Home fishing opportunities, contact the city's H.B. Parsons Fish Hatchery at 755-4014, or visit the Lakes and Fishing page of the city's Web site at okc.gov.
For a map, log on to http://wildlifedepartment.com/dolesemap.jpg. For more information on the "Close to Home" fishing program, log on to wildlifedepartment.com. Dolese Youth Park and the H.B. Parsons Fish Hatchery are operated by the City of Oklahoma City's Parks and Recreation Department.
Outdoors
January 28, 2010
Dolese Youth Park Pond teeming with trout for young anglers
Trout fishing clinic today
- Outdoors
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- Dolese Youth Park Pond teeming with trout for young anglers Oklahoma City resident Gaston Gallant goes fishing nearly every day of the two-month trout season at Dolese Youth Park Pond, a northwest Oklahoma City fishing destination currently teeming with nearly 2,600 rainbow trout.
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