Summer’s the season for stocking catfish in Wright-Patt lakes

Darryn Warner, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Natural Resources program manager, stocks Gravel Lake at the base. The Natural Resources program generally stocks Bass and Gravel lakes with trout in the spring and fall each year. Catfish is stocked in the summer. (Courtesy photo)

Darryn Warner, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Natural Resources program manager, stocks Gravel Lake at the base. The Natural Resources program generally stocks Bass and Gravel lakes with trout in the spring and fall each year. Catfish is stocked in the summer. (Courtesy photo)

The 88th Civil Engineering Natural Resources program annually prepares for the fishing season by stocking the base lakes with fish several times per year.

The program generally stocks the lakes with two types of fish during the year. In the spring and fall rainbow trout is stocked, and catfish is stocked in the summer.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Bass and lower Twin lakes, located in Area A, are scheduled to be stocked with catfish in late June. A total of 800 pounds of catfish will be delivered and introduced into the water by net. The catfish weigh between one and a half to five pounds each.

To fish at the Wright-Patt lakes, you must possess a valid Wright-Patterson fishing permit. Children under 12 years of age are allowed to fish on base for free but must be accompanied by an adult with a valid fishing license.

The price for an annual permit is $18, and a daily permit is $6. The annual permit will remain valid through the month of February each year. A state fishing license is not required to fish the base lakes; however, one is required to fish in the Mad River while on base.

Fishing permits can be purchased at the Outdoor Recreation office in Bldg. 95 or at the Rod and Gun Club in Bldg. 892, both located in Area A.

For additional information call Outdoor Recreation at 937-257-9889 or the Rod and Gun Club at 937-257-3935.

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