New Fishing Hole at Meridian's Settlers Park

Beginning this week, Treasure Valley anglers will have another close-to-home place to wet a line. The pond at Settlers Park, at the corner of Meridian Road and Ustick, will be stocked seasonally with rainbow trout from Idaho Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery. Contact the Meridian Parks & Recreation Department (888-3579) or the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Nampa office (465-8465) for more information. General fishing regulations will apply, which means that six trout of any size may be kept. "These small park ponds provide more fishing opportunity per acre than about any other kind of fishery we have in Idaho," Fish and Game fisheries manager Jeff Dillon said. "Lots of kids will get to catch their first fish here, and it's also a very efficient way to use our hatchery fish because almost all of them will be caught." Trout stocking will begin this week and continue about every other week until water temperatures become too high for trout. Stocking will resume in the fall as the water cools, and will continue through the winter months as long as the pond remains ice free. The park and pond are another example of how communities and civic leaders in the valley recognize the value of open space and recreation. The Meridian Parks and Recreation Department began working with Idaho Fish and Game in 2003 when the park was still under construction. Fish and Game surveyed the pond and concluded it would be a good addition to their urban fishing program.