OUTDOOR BRIEF

URBAN FISHERIES

Get a start on spring fishing close to home

Trout anglers who are eager to get outside and wet a line but don't want to brave the cold temperatures still found at waters in northern parts of the state may want to give Southern Nevada's urban fisheries a try. They aren't very far away, so gasoline shouldn't be an issue, and when the day is done, tired anglers can quickly return to the comfort of their own homes.

"These local waters are also a good place to get the kids started fishing," said Ivy Santee, angler education coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. "They can come to the ponds and catch a fish or two and then easily do something else when their interest wanes."

Beginning in late October or early November and running through March of each year, the Nevada Department of Wildlife plants rainbow trout into ponds at parks located throughout the Las Vegas area and at one park in Mesquite. That means anglers will have another month or so to take advantage of the local trout opportunity.

Anglers will find that traditional baits like salmon eggs, worms, spinners and lures will catch the fish. Local fly anglers can also do well with woolly buggers, pheasant tail nymphs and dry flies at times.

The Las Vegas area urban fisheries can be found at Floyd Lamb Park near Durango Drive and U.S. 95, Lorenzi Park near Washington Avenue and Rancho Drive, Sunset Park near Eastern Avenue and Sunset Road, and at Veterans Memorial Park in Boulder City. In Mesquite, trout are stocked at Hafen Park.