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Urban Trout Fishing Program

The Department's Urban Trout Fishing Program, which was re-started in November 2006, will be stocked two times during the November-February time period rather than three times, as in the past, due to the loss of trout production at Coursey Springs Hatchery. These two stockings will try to target the most popular time periods for each water. Although the stockings are not as frequent as in the past, the number of trout per stocking will not be reduced.

The seven lakes included in this year's program are:

• Cook Lake (Alexandria),
• Dorey Park Lake (Henrico County),
• Lake Biggins (Newport News),
• Locust Shade Park (Prince William County),
• Old Cossey Pond (Fredericksburg),
• Shields Lake (Richmond),
• 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.