Aquaculture’s Role in Providing Fish For Stocking Urban Fishing Programs

Author: James D. Brader

Urban fishing programs are specialized fish management strategies but often vary in scope. Some provide angling opportunities to the general public for recreation while others may be used as angler recruitment tools.  Some may utilize management of the existing fishery while others may consist primarily of scheduled fish stockings.  Depending on the goals set forth in the program and the location of a particular urban fishing site, aquaculture may or may not be able to meet the needs of the program.  Selected fish species for stocking urban fishing locations should not only meet the desires of anglers but must take into consideration consistent fish availability, size, and reasonable cost.  Successful urban fishing programs that incorporate specifically scheduled put and take fish stockings require consistent monetary commitments from the program sponsor(s).  The aquaculture industry has made considerable advances in technology over the past three decades and can provide a number of selected fish species and that are of appropriate size to almost any geographic location suitable for urban fishing programs and at a competitive cost.  The urban fishing manager must decide if additional fish stockings are affordable and a better option than managing and promoting existing urban lake or pond fisheries.