Urban Trout Fishing Program
The Department's Urban Trout Fishing Program operated from 1993 through 2002. In 2003, the program was discontinued due to agency budget cuts as a result of the state's budget crisis. Starting in November, 2006, the Urban Trout Program was re-instated in a somewhat different format. These waters will receive trout stockings at three times; once in November, once in late December or early January, and once in late February. Although the stockings are not as frequent as in the past, there has been a significant increase in number of trout per stocking. This will provide extended periods of quality angling, be more cost effective, and provide similar total numbers of stocked trout for these waters.
The seven lakes included in this year's program are:
- Cook Lake (Alexandria),
- Dorey Park Lake (Henrico County),
- Locust Shade Park (Prince William County),
- Old Cossey Pond (Fredericksburg),
- Shields Lake (Richmond),
- Lake Biggins (Newport News)
- and Northwest River Park (Chesapeake).
Anglers are reminded that the culling of trout placed in the creel is no longer legal. Once a trout is placed in the creel or on a stringer it counts as part of the daily creel and cannot be replaced by another trout later. All anglers are required to have a trout license in addition to a fishing license between November 1 and April 30. Juveniles under age 16 need no licenses. For more information, call Fisheries Division at (540) 899-4169.