Catch and Release Fishing in Downtown Gilbert?

The Town of Gilbert and the Game and Fish Department are hosting an informal
public meeting from 7-9 p.m., July 31, in the Gilbert Municipal Building,
1025 S. Gilbert Road, Town Hall Room, to gather public input on the Town of
Gilbert's request for special regulations for the "Pond at Town Hall". Their
request includes designating the site for Catch-and-Release and for the use
of Artificial Flys and Lures Only (with single barbless hooks).
The Game and Fish Commission will address the Town's request at their August
10 meeting at the Radison Hotel in Flagstaff.
The request from the Town of Gilbert was authored by the Town's Parks and
Recreation Department.  The request, if acted upon by the Game and Fish
Commission, would change the State's fishing regulations to identify the
"Pond at Town Hall" in Gilbert, AZ as a Catch-and Release fishery where only
artificial flys or lures could be used.  The pond is a small reservoir
(about ½ acre) located at the Town's government complex.  The pond was
recently improved by the Town, and it serves primarily as a landscape
feature and sprinkler system reservoir.
The Town of Gilbert requested the change in regulations because the pond is
used as a site for the Park System's ongoing "Introduction to Flyfishing
Program", the program promotes catch-and-release fishing, the Town wishes to
foster survival of larger than average fish with a high expectation of
catchability, and the Town wants to foster other angling and aquatic
education programs in the East Valley.
The pond is stocked by the Town, at Town expense.  To be able to maintain a
quality fishing opportunity at this small site and to meet their other
goals, the Town believes that special regulations may be appropriate. A
general fishing license (Class A) is required to fish at the pond.