Trails to Trout baited for fun

The Nature Center

The East Texas Woods and Waters Foundation (ETWWF) and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPW) will host special fishing events Saturday, Jan. 6 and Jan. 13. Fishing begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. The event continues come rain or shine.

One thousand rainbow trout will be stocked into The Nature Center pond to provide a free fishing opportunity for area youth and their adult fishing mentors. Adults who attend these events must bring at least one child and mentor them while fishing. So round-up your little fishing buddy and bring them out to The Nature Center for a great time!

Adult mentors should bring all equipment and bait necessary for fishing (see recommended equipment below). The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will have a limited amount of fishing equipment (and bait) on hand to provide for those who cannot bring their own (first-come- first-served basis). TPWD staff will also be available to help adult mentors teach kids how to fish. Adult mentors do not need to be experienced anglers.

If you are a mom, dad, neighbor, grandparent, big brother, big sister, etc., and know kids who want to go fishing, this is a chance to make some great

memories and introduce a youngster to the wonderful sport of fishing.

Recommended equipment is a light-action rod and reel combination (one per child) with small fishing hooks, light line (less than 12 lb test) small bobbers, and small split shot. For bait, bring whole kernel corn, small worms, or prepared trout bait (Berkley PowerBait or similar). Small rooster-tail spinners work well, but we require that you use single hooks only on this bait type. If you intend to keep trout, please bring a stringer or small cooler.

Special rules for the event are that fishing will be allowed only on the designated days and hours. Youth must be supervised at all times by their adult mentors. Parking will be allowed in designated areas only. Only rainbow trout (5 per day) and channel catfish (1 per day) may be kept by youth anglers only. No fishing license is required for youth or their adult mentors. These events are free to all participants. No pre-registration is needed.

The Nature Center in Tyler has a series of outdoor hiking trails that may also be of interest to visitors. We invite you to explore these trails and also enjoy a day of fishing!

The Nature Center is located on Bascom Road between Tyler and Whitehouse. From ESE Loop 323 in Tyler, go south on University Blvd (Spur 248). Take a right turn on FM 848 (Bascom Rd.). Go 2/10's of a mile and turn right at The Nature Center gate. Please park in main parking area and walk to pond using the concrete trail near the kiosk.

These special events are made possible by the members of the East Texas Woods and Waters Foundation and staff of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

For more information contact David Terre, East Texas Regional Fisheries Director at 903- 566-1615 ext. 202 or Dr. Richard Ott, Fisheries Biologist at 903-566-2161.