All you OKC fishermen

[TwoBits]

The City is planning to close the Fish Hatchery and as I understand it, lay off Bob Martin and the part timers who help him now.

You need to contact your city councilman and tell them that's not a good idea.

They raise hybrids and walleye at the hatchery. They also raise catfish for the Close to Home lakes, all of which you may or may not fish for, but that's really not the point. The problem here involves the fishing permit they make us purchase.

We get nothing for that permit fee. I always thought it was dedicated to operate the hatchery and do all the other stuff Bob Martin does, like the kids fishing in the summer and the trout at Dolese. But that's not what happens, that money just goes into the general fund to pay for city operations.

Now , we get very little for that permit money now and if they close the hatchery then we get zip, nada, nothing . It just becomes a tax we pay because we fish.

And that is extremely unfair ......... in fact, I would think it to be illegal to tax someone because they have a certain hobby.

They don't make the walkers and joggers buy a permit to use the trails around the lake.

They don't make people buy a " picnic permit " to go have an outing on the lake.

They don't have to buy a " water ski " permit.

It just goes on and on, this is unreal what they have planned to do.

If the City spends no money on fishing, then they have no justification to make us buy a permit.

Maybe you've never contacted your councilman before , but this is the time to do it. We want something for our money. No matter how little that may be.

[cricket george]

Your calls need to be aimed at Wendell Wisenhunt,director of Parks and Recreation Department. He is the one who is proposing to close the hatchery. The City is asking for a 12% across the board budget cut in all departments. He has received numerous calls already on this matter. Let's step up the calls and tell him know what you think.

[CrappieLegacy]

I have never really thought about it like that but you are exactly right, I am willing to help any way I can, I fish with my girls around hefner and overholser a few days a week

[okstateSnappiee]

Thanks for taking the time to let us know.

I fish both Hefner and Overholser year round. I will give Wendell Wisenhunt and let him know my opinion on the matter. Either a phone number or email from Wendell would make things faster.

[dcamccl]

Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation Dept.
Wendel Whisenhunt, Director
420 W Main
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405 297-3882

I didn't see an email address but here is his phone number.

I also sent an email to my councilman here in ward 8

[lazylakedog]

lol......you really think they care if you catch a fish or not......all they care about is money..the best thing you can do is vote them all out of office...fishing has sucked since the early 90s...think about it...they lied about maps 3 so they could sell their own land to themseves and make millions on dumb ass projects and telling you all was well...bs! they are asking all city agencies to take 15% cuts including fire and police..they could care less if you catch a crappie or not...get them out...that the best thing you can do..you want crappie..better stock them yourself.....city fisheries suck...only because of who is in charge..get them out and get priorities straight and get fishing back on track...charge those *******s on bikes the same as those guys in boats and make it even!

[lazylakedog]

oh and the general fund is nothing more than the pants pocket of the city....they are thieves taking from the citizens of the the city and i for one have had enough of it!

[TwoBits]

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-fish...ad_story_title

[cricket george]

Lazylakedog- I understand your frustration directed at OKC administration but do NTO take it out on the biologist and his staff. The biologist has worked for 27 years improving the fisheries, and to provide quality fishing. Where else can you catch walleye averaging 3.5 - 4#'s? Quality striper hybrids such as the 9.5# hybrid that I caught a few years ago from the lake one windy early Sunday morning. Sandies that average 1 - 2 pounds. Channels and blues that have exceeded 15#'s. Crappie averaging around a pound for a good one and in good numbers. The current lake record smallmouth is 6.5 pounds, largemouth bass in excess of 10 pounds,walleye in excess of 11 pounds,and striper hybrid over 18 pounds. Without the City's fisheries program and the Hatchery the walleye, striper hybrids and smallmouth would not have been possible or present for anglers to catch.
Bob and his crew have done a comprehensive fish habitat program that has installed alot of fish habitats in the City Lakes and close to home waters that have made alot of crappie anglers happy.
Besides the fisheries work that they do on the lake they also conduct fishing classes that are co sponsored by OKCPD PAL for school age kids. I have personally assisted in these classes and the kids really love them. The staff teaches around 1,000 kids and adults each year.

Instead of attacking the biologist volunteers and staff for all the work that they have done for you. You need to attack the administrative people that want to eliminate this great fishing program. CALL YOUR COUNCILMAN, CITY MANAGER,MAYOR AND PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR. The numbers I have provided on the off topic post. Go there and call the ones causing the potential loss.

This program has generated considerable revenue for the City for many years and contributed to the quality of life for numerous generations of citizens.

[lazylakedog]

my apologies....i was not directly referring to Bob Martin and his staff...I was more referring to the city council and the funds that Bob and his crew are given to work with...I am pretty sure that all of our permit money we pay each year is funneled into the general fund and spent on something to fill the councils own pockets. My regards to Bob and his efforts...He has done great for what he is given to work with.