Catfish released at Elder Lake

News Herald Photo by Kathryn Martinez If you are headed to Elder Lake this week end don't forget your cane pole.

Yesterday morning the lake was stocked with a truckload of live channel catfish - 780 to be exact - from Texas Fresh Water Fisheries, in Athens.

"Elder Lake is a community fishing lake and eligible for state fish," Michael Brice, fisheries biologist, said. "All of these fish are catchable size and hungry."

Brice said the state fish program chose channel catfish because the fish are native to East Texas and easy to catch.

"You can catch channel catfish on spin cast, rod and reel or even a cane pole," Brice said.

When it comes to bait, Brice suggests inexpensive bait, like cheese, stink bait and worms.

"These fish prefer strong smells and bright colors," Brice said. "But nothing beats the earthworm."

Brice and his crew will return as weather turns cool and local children are facing Christmas vacation. The fishery will stock Elder Lake with rainbow trout through a program partially funded by Kilgore Economic Development Corporation.

Park hours are 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Fishing limit is five fish per licensed adult.