ATHENS, Texas—Fishing just got better in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has added new Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes in Denton and Mesquite.

The Neighborhood Fishin’ program lets TPWD partner with local governments to provide enhanced fishing opportunities in local parks. TPWD stocks park lakes with catfish and, beginning in early December, rainbow trout every two weeks. Lakes are selected that will provide residents the opportunity to fish close to home, hence the name Neighborhood Fishin’.

In Denton, the new fishing lake is South Lakes Park’s North Pond. The 187-acre park has two ponds as well as a full slate of park amenities such as hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds and athletic fields.  The North Pond is closest to McMath Middle School.

Mesquite City Lake includes a five-acre pond that is that city’s new Neighborhood Fishin’ lake. The 11.8-acre park includes picnic tables, tennis court, baseball diamond, water park, and an activity center.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex now has five Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes, two of which have tackle loaner programs. For locations and information, visit www.neighborhoodfishin.com.

“With the additions of these two sites, more fishermen and families in the DFW area will have easier access to this great program,” said Rafe Brock, TPWD Inland Fisheries biologist for the Metroplex. “The Cities of Denton and Mesquite have invested a lot of resources in developing their fishing opportunities in the past. By joining the Neighborhood Fishin’ program, they have committed to providing a great fishing opportunity to their citizens.”

The Neighborhood Fishin’ program is made possible by funds from the Toyota Texas Bass Classic. Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes are located in Amarillo, Austin, Bryan-College Station, Duncanville, Fort Worth, Houston, Hurst, San Angelo, San Antonio, Waco and Wichita Falls.

On the Net:

For rainbow trout stocking schedules, go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us/stocking.

For information on a program that promotes conservation through art, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishart.