When the fish stocking kicks off, you have to take advantage. That usually means getting to the water before anyone and everyone else. The local ponds fill up fast in the most densely populated place in the state. But if you can get to the fish first, the fishing can be wonderful, and the sunrise usually makes for a nice perk.

The local waters get busy when the warm weather returns, and the fish get stressed. The best you can do is arrive early; hopefully, the fish will be well-rested, active, and hungry. I arrived just before sunrise and moved quickly to get a good spot; the effort paid off instantly.

The local waters get busy when the warm weather returns, and the fish get stressed. The best you can do is arrive early; hopefully, the fish will be well-rested, active, and hungry. I arrived just before sunrise and moved quickly to get a good spot; the effort paid off instantly.

Finushed at Sego Prairie Pond, I finally found some fish. Turned into a cold, wet, long day, but catching some fish made it all worth it.

Started at McDevitt with not even a bite. Went to Fuller Park to try for Crappie, hooked one small Bluegill that came off the hook at the shoreline. Finally, at Sego Prairie Pond, I found some fish. Turned into a cold, wet, long day, but catching some fish made it all worth it.