The Chandler Police and Community Services departments are co-hosting an Urban Fishing Clinic and Outdoor Safety Fair at Veterans Oasis Park from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 14, 2009. The free event is sponsored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), open to all ages, and no pre-registration is required.

All participants may fish without a license during the four-hour clinic once they have signed up at the AZGFD booth. However, fishing outside of the clinic hours requires a license. AZGFD Sport Fishing Instructors will provide basic fishing tips and guidance to participants. They will also have a limited number of fishing rods and bait to be loaned to participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Veterans Oasis Park is located at 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., on the northeast corner of Chandler Heights and Lindsay roads. In addition to the lake and wetlands, it is home to the City’s Environmental Education Center (EEC) and the Chandler Heights Police Station. In addition to the fishing, the EEC and the Police substation will offer a variety of activities throughout the event.

Outside the Police Substation, the Police Department will demonstrate some of its specialty vehicles, including the Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (BATT), and have VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) etchings available to the public. A Police K9 unit will be on hand, and inside the substation officers will give building tours and provide the public with neighborhood crime statistics and safety information.

Inside the Environmental Education Center, there will be building tours as well as hands-on craft activities and educational offerings, including a brief talk by AZGFD staff about the award-winning Urban Fishing Program. Nature-themed videos will also run, including episodes of AZGFD’s award-winning Wildlife Views program. The EEC’s collection of live animals will also be on display, with snake feedings taking place throughout the day.

Like all Arizona urban fishing lakes, the Veterans Oasis Park lake will be stocked that week with Channel Catfish. This infusion of fish should help make for a great day of fishing.

“This will be the second fishing clinic at this lake, and we are excited to be working with the Police Department to add even more to the event,” said Naturalist Sandra Munoz-Weingarten, who oversees Veterans Oasis Park and the City’s Environmental Education Center. “Thanks to the Urban Fishing Program Chandler families don’t have to go far to catch a catfish or largemouth bass and experience the joys of fishing.”

Please go to www.chandleraz.gov/veterans-oasis the week prior to the event to get updates on the status of this fishing clinic and outdoor safety fair. Inclement weather may cause the program to be altered or cancelled. You can also call 480-782-2890 or 480-782-4900 for additional information.

Please see www.azgfd.gov for information about fishing licenses and regulations. Fishing licenses and supplies are not available for purchase at the park.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON FISHING LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

As noted, a fishing license is not required during this event from 8 a.m. to noon if participants register at the AZGFD booth. However, at all other times urban fishing does require a license for those age 14 and older, and no license is required for those under age 14. The Class U urban fishing license costs $18.50 for the calendar year. Other licenses that are valid include the Class D (one day only $16.25), Class L, Super Fish (residents $53, non-residents $63, annually), and Class P (Pioneer), a free license for those ages 70 and over who have been Arizona residents for at least 25 years. Other valid licenses include disabled veteran complimentary license and youth-group two-day fishing license.

Licenses can be purchased at any Game and Fish office or any one of the 340 license dealers or sporting goods stores statewide that sells state fishing and hunting licenses. Licenses are not available at the park, but a list of Chandler area stores near Veterans Oasis that sell licenses is available on the City Web site at www.chandleraz.gov/veterans-oasis.

The daily catch limits for urban fishing lakes are four catfish or four trout (2 trout limit for unlicensed juveniles). Most types of bait are legal. For a complete list of fishing rules and regulations and lake stocking schedules, go to the Arizona Game and Fish Department Web site at www.azgfd.gov.