New Community Fishing Pond Opens in Meridian

Heroes Park Pond in Meridian is the Treasure Valley's newest community fishing pond. To jumpstart the pond's fishing opportunities, Idaho Fish and Game will stock the pond with rainbow trout during the week of May 1. The pond is at 3064 W. Malta Drive, on the east side of North 10-mile Road, between Chinden Boulevard (U.S. Highway 26) and McMillan Road. At 30 acres, Heroes Park has a number of amenities in addition to the fishing pond, including soccer fields, an in-line hockey rink, playgrounds, shelters, restrooms, trash receptacles, bike racks and drinking fountains. Heroes Park is maintained by the Meridian Parks and Recreation Department. Heroes Pond has been in existence for several years, but has previously been managed by the city of Meridian under the reclaimed water program. Meridian officials approached Fish and Game about stocking the pond with rainbow trout this past winter. "We're excited to see the city of Meridian convert Heroes Park Pond into a community fishing pond," Fish and Game fishery manager Jeff Dillon said. "Because of its close location to residential areas and the quality of the park and amenities, Heroes Pond should be a popular, fun and safe place for families to fish." About 300 rainbow trout will be included in the initial stocking effort. Heroes Pond will be stocked a second time just prior to Free Fishing Day on June 11. "This spring, we'll evaluate how well fish survive in the pond and if there is a demand for a new fishery in the area," Dillon said. "If Heroes Pond grows in popularity and fish are being caught, it will be added to our normal trout stocking rotation next year." For more information regarding Heroes Pond, contact the Fish and Game Nampa office at 465-8465.