The Old Fort Ponds in Uintah County has been a popular addition to the local fishing scene which is all part of a statewide program that brings fishing closer to communities. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources shared in a press release this week that their community fisheries program is celebrating 20 years in Utah. When the community fisheries program launched in 2001, there were roughly 11 community fishing ponds across Utah, shares the DWR. Now, with 57 ponds that are stocked annually with fish, Utah has one of the largest community fisheries programs in the U.S. “Our community fishing ponds are quite popular now,” shares DWR Northern Region Aquatics Manager Chris Penne. “Last fall, we completed a survey at just six community fisheries in northern Utah, and in just two months, the ponds saw a combined 47,000 hours of fishing time. We are so glad that Utahns are using these ponds and enjoying fishing so close to home.” Old Fort Ponds, Vernal’s first community fishing area, opened in 2019. It is located in Maeser where the Old Fort Thornburgh used to sit. The site is 14 acres with 6 acres of fish filled ponds. The facility is fenced and it opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. If the gates are open then the ponds are open. If the gates are closed then the facility is closed.
