MANSFIELD — Local fishermen, rejoice. The pond at North Lake Park was stocked with 200 bluegill and 200 channel catfish on Tuesday afternoon.
The fish, just a few inches in size, were donated to the city by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District.
Matt Christian, Richland SWCD district technician, said the bluegill should be catchable this fall and the catfish by next year.
Bluegill and catfish are two common types of fish that people, for the most part, are familiar with, said Richland SWCD Community Relations Coordinator Theresa Sutter. That’s why these fish were selected. They were sourced from Fender’s Fish Hatchery in Baltic, Ohio.
North Lake Park has been restocked with fish the last two years, Parks Department Manager Mark Abrams said. Prior to that, it had been awhile since the supply was replenished.
In addition to leisure fishing at the park, the fish will accommodate the Hooked on Fishing–Not Drugs program that is held annually at both North Lake Park and Liberty Park.
“It’s a great program that keeps kids busy during the summer time,” Mayor Tim Theaker said.
Thanks to a grant from the Richland County Foundation, the parks department will hold the Hooked on Fishing program for all school-age children who wish to attend.
“All they have to do is show up,” Abrams said.
The program begins June 8 and will take place every Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. until Aug. 11. Wednesday’s activities will be held at North Lake Park and Thursday’s events will be at Liberty Park.
Children learn the basics of fishing from a certified instructor and hear from a Mansfield D.A.R.E. officer, who teaches them about the dangers of drug-use and discusses healthier alternatives to having fun.
Participants are not required to provide their own equipment, and volunteers are on hand to assist in baiting the hooks and catching the fish.
