Fishing at the Nature Center?

Is it permissible for residents to let their kids fish (and release) at the Nature Center Pond? My little guy got his first fishing pole for his birthday so I am trying to find something close for him to give it a quick try...

 

Are there fish in there? Plenty of the other ponds in our subdivision (and others) have fish.

 

I believe the nature center pond has a "no fishing" sign (or two) nearby....

 

I saw a bunch of little kids fishing for something... Maybe frogs... A few days ago, but have never seen anybody fishing... I'd like to know, too.

 

Bullfrog pond has great fishing - I don't know about the Nature Center. The fish at Bullfrog seem to always be hungry.

 

Where is Bullfrog pond?

 

Yea I am not sure if there are "catchable" fish in that little pond by the Nature Center. I can see plenty of small fish around the banks so I think there might be some bigger sunfish. There are certainly turtles in there.

Bullfrog pond is for a more extensive fishing experience and we will go there this weekend I think, but my little guy was REALLY wanting to try his new rod and reel last night so I told him we could walk over and "test" it at the Nature Center. We live about 100 yards from there so it is a quick walk.

Bullfrog Pond is closer to the Clydes restaurant. Look on the map of Broadlands and you will see it.

 

The lakes in Ashburn Village allow catch and release fishing. You'll need a fishing license.

 

Kids under 16 do not need a license (I do not plan to fish). Yea I have seen kids fishing over there many times. I am try to start slow since he is just learning - 5th birthday was on Sunday so he just got his first Rod/Reel.

 

I believe you need to be a resident of Ashburn Farm in order to fish in their ponds.

 

You need to be a resident or guest of a Village resident to fish in the lakes of Ashburn Village. Not sure but I think the same applies to the ponds of Ashburn Farm.

 

the picture on the cover of our may newsletter is of 2 young boys fishing in the nature center pond...so i guess that means it's alright since they printed it??

 

Well we went there today to try it out. I was not expecting much since this was going to be more training and me trying not to get hooked by my 5 year old... and of course on his first cast he pulls in a small mouth bass. About 6-8 inches it was a beautiful fish and he hooked it perfectly on the lip. And all I had was a swivel and basic yellow grub lure that he got with the rod.... and there was much rejoicing, Yaaaay!

I did not even bring the camera (bad Dad) so next time I will be prepared. And we had hits on the line almost every time we tried but he only hooked 2 other small fish.

So, come join us and say hi, I am sure he will be back over te next few days since we still have stories about the 10 that got away!

 

Hi, As I mentioned in another post, I'm brand-new as the Naturalist here . . . I checked, and catch-and-release fishing is allowed in the pond here.

Nan McCarry
Broadlands Naturalist

 

Nan - thanks for looking into this. Do you know if at some point, these ponds in Broadlands in general were stocked with fish? I am partly curious as to what kind of fish we might have living in these ponds. The fish we caught was definitely a small mouth bass... but I wonder if there are any Perch, Crappie, Blue Gill, Pike, etc.

 

Fish always find ways into ponds. Usually transported by birds.

 

Glad you had such a good time fishing and that your son was successful.
I will check around and see if anyone knows whether the ponds were ever stocked.
Good point about the birds carrying the eggs in, though.

 

I fish in several of the local ponds in this area but I have never fished the pond by the Nature Center. I'm pretty certain that it wasn't a smallmouth bass. It was most likely a small largemouth bass. The Potomac has smallmouth, but I've never seen one in any of the local ponds. Juvenile smallmouth and largemouth look very similar. I'm sure it's possible for smallmouth to live there, just unlikely. Either way, it's great to hear that your son caught a bass!

I do fish the Ashburn Village and Ashburn Farm ponds occasionally. Yes, there are signs that say the ponds are for residents and guests only, but I have never been questioned. As long as you pick up your trash, practice catch and release, and are in general respectful of the ponds, you shouldn't have any trouble. There is a group of residents within Ashburn Village that actively manage the ponds for quality and quantity of fish. They have actually received money from the HOA for stocking programs and for algae management. At one point they had fishery biologists come in and shock the ponds for fish counts and the biologists provided recommendations on which ponds needed stocking and which ponds needed fish removed. I believe this was a free service from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. They also get together after Christmas and gather Christmas Trees from that are set out at the curb for pick up and sink them to the bottom of the ponds with cinder blocks to provide additional habitat for the fish. It’s great that their residents have taken so much interest in managing the ponds. I've met a couple of them and they know I'm not a resident but don't seem to mind. They are very friendly people. Here is a link to the website: http://www.pacemakerfishing.com/forum/index.php

I'm not familiar with Bullfrog Pond, but I'll be sure to check it out. I wouldn't mind getting involved with managing our ponds similar to the way the folks from Ashburn Village do. The only problem is I don't know where all of them are and if they are suitable fish habitats. Anyone have a link to a map that shows them?

 

As a resident on Bullfrog Pond, I've watched our fish population grow over the past 10 years. Early on, a neighbor on Small Branch admitted to stocking the pond with bass. He purchased the fry locally and released them in the pond. Unfortunately, he moved away before they really came of age. The largest we've caught (and released) is about 4.5 pounds. It was pretty exciting!

Otherwise, we've got blue gill by the zillions. If you want certain success with the kids, just drop a line with a bit of cheese on it off the dock, and you'll haul one up. For the bass, cast your line toward the trees at the southwest part of the pond.

A few years ago, we hauled up a turtle about 18" across (the shell). It was a monster... snapped the line right as it surfaced. Haven't seen too many turtles lately.

 

You mean like this? This fish does not seem to be enjoying the trip. :scaredeyes: