Page 2 - July/Aug 2020 Outdoor Oklahoma

Panoramas

klahoma’s Close to Home Fishing Program less 10 acres. Ideally sites will have good features such as
(CTHFP) is entering its 22nd year. The pro- relatively clear water, well-maintained grounds, and facilities
gram’s goal is to provide quality fishing oppor- such as restrooms, parking, and picnic areas. We also look
Otunities in neighborhood settings for a lot of open shoreline to allow plenty of
for all ages. The Wildlife Department has room for anglers. If some of these amenities
undertaken a new push toward revitalizing aren’t available or are needing repair, we can
the program. We have long realized that folks still sign them up and will assist the owner
want to take shorter trips to maximize their in making improvements. This is where your
time and cash flow. By identifying and using fishing license dollars kick in to fund local
public areas across the state that have existing projects through the federal Sport Fish Res-
ponds, small lakes and creeks, we hope to toration Program. The biggest bonus for these
encourage new anglers to get hooked on fish- communities is that the Wildlife Department
ing, and to bring back people who may have raises or buys and then regularly stocks keep-
stepped away from fishing. er-size fish into all of these sites throughout
Keith Thomas, now and then
Since becoming statewide coordinator spring and summer. A few of them also
of CTHFP in 2008, I have often remi- receive rainbow trout in winter.
nisced about my younger days growing The Wildlife Department is under-
up in suburban Detroit, 50-plus years taking a five-year strategic plan, and
ago. It was so easy for my friends and implementing that plan is underway.
I to hop on our bicycles and head to a The CTHFP is at the top of the list
local pond, lake or creek to see what to make it bigger and better. Plans are
was biting. We wouldn’t keep anything to stock more and bigger fish, main-
we caught; we simply wanted to outdo ly sunfish and catfish. We also plan
each other for the most and biggest fish. to assist with improvements around
We’d target panfish and catfish most the ponds such as adding fishing piers,
of the time using worms. Other times, park benches and cleaning up the
we would take a can of corn for bait in ponds themselves. So stay tuned! A
order to catch creek chubs, a large min- new or improved fishing spot might
now-type fish. We never really worried be coming to your neighborhood soon
about getting permission to access these for your leisurely pleasure. And even
spots. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, if you don’t plan on fishing, go ahead
most of these water bodies had open access, and fences were and take the kids to the local park. You might be pleasantly
few. These memories keep me energized to help current and surprised, again!
future generations gain the passion I had growing up, and still
have today. I now have grandchildren who are itching to go
fishing with their Papa.
The Wildlife Department has developed criteria to help
select CTHFP sites to maximize their availability to larger Keith Thomas, Fisheries Biologist
populations. We usually look for a city park with a pond of Close to Home Fishing Program Coordinator