Reliable Water Source Ensure Trout Production at Willow Beach

Through a collaborative partnership, the FWS Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery is now equipped with a newly installed floating pipeline. Credit: USFWS.

A new water intake for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery in Willow Beach, Arizona, has been built and tested in Lake Mohave, and that is good news for anglers and conservationists. With an assured, reliable cold water source, rainbow trout production can restart at the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery. In partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and others, the FWS anticipates stocking catchable-sized trout for anglers as early as February 2017.

Learn more about Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery
Read the News Release

Malmstrom holds Kid’s Fishing Day

Airman 1st Class Daniel Brosam
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

Capt. Matthew Haddock, 490th Missile Squadron flight commander, and his son Jonah, prep their fishing pole during Kid’s Fishing Day June 4, 2016, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. More than 200 parents and children attended the event at Pow Wow Pond.
(U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Jaeda Tookes)

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont – More than 200 people attended Malmstrom’s annual Kid’s Fishing Day event at Pow Wow Pond June 4.

According to Dr. Elin Pierce, wildlife biologist natural resource manager, people began arriving around 7 a.m. and the event lasted until 2 p.m. “This is an annual event put on for the kids,” Pierce said. “The Fish and Wildlife Service has held kids fishing days to promote an interest in recreational fishing in kids at a young age. ” Pierce said the pond was supplied with about 300 trout and bass totaling nearly 800 pounds of fish. Every child who attended the event received a ticket for a drawing for prizes including fishing poles and tackle boxes, and the first pick of prizes went to the child with the largest fish.

Steve Surls, Outdoor Recreation specialist, said it takes multiple days to set up the event and the planning takes about two months. “We want to reach the base community to let them know there is a pond on base and educate newcomers to fishing,” Surls said. Children and parents were also able to enjoy free refreshments while they were attempting to catch a fish.

Donna Whitmore, 341st Force Support Squadron commercial sponsorship coordinator, said the people who sponsored the event helped make it a success. “People are able to come out whenever they want, but it’s good to come out when food and prizes are provided,” Whitmore said. “We would not be able to do this without our sponsors.”

The event was coordinated with the help from multiple agencies across base including the 341st FSS, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron and Outdoor Recreation.

For more information on volunteering for next year’s Kid’s Fishing Day, contact Outdoor Recreation at 731-3263