In Oklahoma City, a partnership between the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department will result in a trout fishing season starting in January at Dolese Youth Park Pond as well as a trout fishing clinic to help anglers enjoy the unique fishing opportunity.

Part of the state's Close to Home fishing program, the Dolese trout season will be held Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, 2011. The two-month long season features several stockings of rainbow trout provided through a generous donation from BancFirst. These funds are crucial in providing the necessary match for Oklahoma's Sport Fish Restoration Program funding.

The pond is located at Dolese Park, north of NW 50th and a half block west of Meridian Ave., and makes for an easy-access fishing location for metro families looking to spend a few hours or even a day outdoors.

The “Close to Home” fishing program provides fishing areas that are often just a short drive away from even the most urban locations, saving families time and gas money. In addition, it allows parents and children to fish together after school or on a busy weekend. The Dolese trout season also offers anglers a chance to catch a unique fish that they don't catch at other times of the year when water temperatures are warmer.

According to Bob Martin, fisheries biologist for the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department, successful trout anglers at Dolese should keep several colors of powerbaits as well as an assortment of other trout baits in their tackle box, as the best baits to use often change throughout the day. Anglers should have success using 4- to 6-pound test line equipped with a slip sinker and small hook. Along with powerbaits, choice baits include corn, small worms, small minnows, small spinners, jigs and spoons.

A free Dolese trout fishing clinic will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 14 at Putnam City High School's Old Gymnasium to give anglers a complete understanding of how to be successful during the Dolese trout season. Topics covered will range from bait and tackle to pole rigging, trout biology, fishing cleaning and recipes, knot tying, safe casting and rules and regulations. The school is located just south of the Dolese trout pond, on the south side of NW 50th Street.

To pre-register for the clinic, call the H.B. Parsons Fish Hatchery at (405) 755-4014.

According to Martin, trout stocked in the pond range from nine to 24 inches, with 90 percent ranging from nine to 14 inches. Stockings are scheduled for Jan. 6, Jan. 20, Feb. 3 and Feb. 17.

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. Regulations for other species that may be caught at Dolese are available 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.

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 (405) 755-4014, or visit the Lakes and Fishing page of the city's website 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.

Tulsa area residents also have an opportunity to fish for trout without venturing far from home. This Tulsa trout fishing opportunity is possible by a partnership between the Trout Unlimited Oklahoma Chapter #420 and Tulsa-based conservation group NatureWorks. Trout Unlimited Oklahoma Chapter #420 and NatureWorks are non-profit organizations working for statewide conservation issues. For more information about Trout Unlimited Oklahoma Chapter #420, log on to tulsaflyfishers.org. For more information about NatureWorks, log on to natureworks.org.

This year the selected pond is located in LaFortune Park, located at the corner of 51st Street and Hudson in Tulsa, and the season opens Dec. 26. The pond will be stocked periodically.

"Children only" days are scheduled for Feb. 21 and March 14. On these days fishing will be open to children under the age of 16 only, and children fishing on these days must be accompanied by an adult. The accompanying adult may fish on these days. All other days during the season will be open to all ages. All anglers over the age of 16 must have a valid Oklahoma fishing license. A bag limit of six trout per day per angler has been set, and catch and release of trout is discouraged.

News Source: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation - Dec. 23, 2010