Neighborhood Fishin’ Pond teeming with catfish for area anglers
Want a taste of the great outdoors without leaving the city? A visit to the Neighborhood Fishin’ Pond at Chisholm Trail Park in Hurst could be just the thing.
Once again this summer, Hurst is one of five neighborhood locations throughout the Metroplex where the lake receives frequent stockings of 12-inch channel catfish (in the winter they receive rainbow trout).
That means lots of good fishing for all, including families.
“The fishing is at safe, well-lit sites with close access to parking, picnic tables and restrooms,” Hurst Recreation Director Chris Watson said. “We have people of all ages fishing at the Chisholm Park Pond, 365 days a year.”
Hurst has hosted the Texas Parks and Wildlife Neighborhood Fishing Program for over 20 years at Chisholm Park. The fishing is free. However, persons 17 years of age and older need a fishing license with a freshwater stamp.
It is also open non-Hurst residents.
Fishing is great from the bank, so in a fashion befitting Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn, folks can throw their line in the water, lean back and relax. Fishing is allowed by pole and line only, with a limit of two fishing poles per person.
There is no minimum length limit and a five-fish daily bag limit.
Hurst Public Library is an official loaner site for the TPWD Tackle Loaner Program. This is an effort to encourage youth fishing in the neighborhood parks.
The pond will be stocked again June 30 for a final summer push. It will be stocked with catfish once more in the fall before switching to rainbow trout December through March.
For more information, call 817-732-0761.
World’s largest swim lesson
Once again, the Bedford Splash Aquatic Center will join the World Waterpark Association in a Guiness world record attempt for the World’s Largest Swim Lesson on June 22. It was a part of the record that was set in 2015.
The event will gather swimmers at many locations around the world. The record attempt will begin precisely at 10 a.m. and all participants must be registered prior to the event. This can be done at the Boys Ranch Activity Center or by arriving early to the pool on the day of the event.
The event is free and participants are encouraged to arrive by 9:30 a.m. Call 817-952-2323.
Try skating for free
The Dallas Stars Try Skating for Free Program is taking place during July at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Euless. This is a free four-week program for participants of all ages who are interested in learning how to ice skate.
Each Saturday, participants will receive 30 minutes of instruction with trained coaches to begin learning the basics of skating. Participants will have the opportunity to skate for free during the public session held on the day of their class in order to work on their skills and spend some time getting comfortable on the ice.
For more information, call 214-975-3000.
Grapevine outdoors survival camp
Find out if you have what it takes to survive. If not, don’t worry. That is what this camp is designed for.
Learn to build shelters, start a campfire, identify plant life, undertake wilderness navigation training and hike the terrain of Grapevine Lake, all while working as a team in the game of survival.
The next camp session is June 26-30 at Lakeview North on Grapevine Lake, with subsequent dates set for July 10-14, July 17-21, and July 24-28. Times are 9 a.m.-noon and costs range from $165-$175.
Call 817-410-3450 or visit www.playgrapevine.com.
Grapevine learn to sail camp
If you want to learn the joy of sailing, this camp is for you. Campers will be taught the basics of sailing as well as the parts and proper care of a boat. The sessions will accommodate all levels of student, from beginners with no experience to kids who have taken the camp previously.
Youngsters ages 8-16 will learn right-of-way rules, knot tying and rigging, care and maintenance of a sailboat and boating safety. But most important, everyone learns how to have fun on the water.
Campers should bring a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
The next session is at Scott’s Landing at Oak Grove Park on July 3-14, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Cost is $525.
Call 817-410-3450 or visit www.playgrapevine.com.
This story was originally published June 13, 2017 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Neighborhood Fishin’ Pond teeming with catfish for area anglers."