Family Fishing Opportunities Expand at Travis County Park East of Austin
Dec. 7, 2015
Steve Lightfoot, 512-389-4701, steve.lightfoot@tpwd.texas.gov
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AUSTIN—One of Travis County’s newest parks now offers a new Neighborhood Fishin’ lake that will increase fishing access for youth and families living in the Austin metropolitan area.
Kingfisher Lake, a 2-acre pond located in Travis County East Metropolitan Park, is the latest addition to the Neighborhood Fishin’ program of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Another very popular lake in the park, Bullfrog Pond, has been in the program since 2008. Both lakes provide excellent shoreline access and a fishing pier. The addition of Kingfisher Lake triples the amount of shoreline access in the park.
TPWD’s Neighborhood Fishin’ program is currently operating at 18 lakes in 11 major cities in Texas, thanks in part to generous government and private partners. These lakes are a great place to introduce a youngster or adult to fishing. They provide a quality fishing experience for families who are looking for a fun outdoor experience close to where they live. Fishing success is enhanced through regular fish stocking activities by TPWD. Lakes in this program are stocked with channel catfish and rainbow trout about every two weeks throughout the year. Rainbow trout stockings began over Thanksgiving weekend and will continue at Bullfrog Pond and Kingfisher Lake on Saturday, December 12.
A fishing license is required for anyone 17 years of age or older, unless exempt. Fishing at the park may be done with pole and line only. There is no minimum length limit for either catfish or trout, and anglers may keep up to five fish per day of each species.
The Neighborhood Fishin’ program is made possible by Gulf States Toyota through its sponsorship of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC). The TTBC, the world championship of bass fishing, has donated $2.25 million over the past nine years to TPWD programs designed to increase participation in fishing. For more information visit www.neighborhoodfishin.org.
Local support for Neighborhood Fishin’ in the Austin area is provided by the Travis County Parks Division and Bass Pro Shops.
Travis County East Metropolitan Park is a multiple-use facility that also offers baseball and soccer fields, playscapes, a swimming pool, sport court, disc golf course, rock-climbing wall, paved trail, picnic areas and a community pavilion. The 273-acre park is located south of Manor at 18706 Blake Manor Road and is open from 8 a.m. to dark for day use. For more information visit https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/east-metro.