A fishing clinic, along with an initial rainbow trout stocking prior to the clinic, will kick off the newly renamed Community Fishing Program on Saturday, Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon at Pioneer Lake in Peoria’s Pioneer Community Park. Anglers will get the chance to participate in the free fishing clinic – 100 fishing rods, and bait, will be provided. Those who fish the lake will be the first to benefit from the expanded Community Fishing Program (which until Jan. 1 will retain the Urban Fishing Program name.)

Registrants will not need a license to fish for the 500 pounds of stocked trout, which will average between 10-13 inches in length. All CFP-stocked fish are safe to eat. Pioneer Lake will be stocked a week later (Jan. 6-11) with incentive-sized trout. Pioneer will continue to be stocked every other week. In addition to the current 21 waters, another 15 waters will be added to the CFP after the new year.

The 83-acre Pioneer Park opened in September. Park amenities include six ball fields, four multipurpose fields, a dog park, picnic ramadas with grills, a playground with swing sets, a splash ground, a Heritage Garden for small events and, of course, the catch-and-keep fishing lake.

The park is located at 8755 N. 83rd Ave. Daily bag limits are four catfish, four trout (the 2014 CFP Guidebook errantly says two), two bass (13-inch minimum), 10 sunfish, and one white amur (30-inch minimum). Statewide limits apply to other species. For more information on the park, call (623) 773-7137 or visit http://www.peoriaaz.gov/pioneer. For more information on the CFP, including maps, fish stocking schedules, regulations and fishing tips, pick up a new and expanded 2014 Community Fishing Guidebook that will be available at more than 300 license dealer locations and Game and Fish offices. The guidebooks are free.   back...