Redtop Pond Closed to Fishing

Redtop Pond, a designated "Family Fishing Water," in Canyon County is now closed to public access. Fish and Game, which leases the pond for fishing access from the Idaho Transportation Department, was notified in early July that the lease had been cancelled. "The Idaho Transportation Department owns the land where Redtop Pond is located and plans to resume gravel extraction operations at the site this summer," Fish and Game habitat manager Jerry Deal said. "Public access to the area would present a safety hazard to the public and interfere with gravel extraction and crushing operations even if water remains in the pond." The current lease was due to expire at the end of 2007. The transportation department made the decision to exercise their lease option now as the gravel is needed for a scheduled paving project. Though there may be an opportunity to restore the site as a public fishery at some future date, Redtop Pond will remain closed to public entry until further notice.