This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

One of the best developments for anglers in recent years has been the development of community fishing ponds throughout Utah.

The idea behind these ponds is to provide a close-to-home place where kids, seniors or folks looking for a break from work can enjoy.

Visiting Salt Lake and Davis County ponds in recent years, the need for such facilities became obvious. Most had dozens of people, many senior citizens, enjoying nice facilities that often including accessible fishing piers, rest rooms, parks and even fish cleaning stations.

Now might be a good time to go to the Division of Wildlife Resources' website at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/fishing-in-utah/community-fisheries.html and find one of these ponds.

While most of these small lakes and reservoirs contain a variety of species that often include warm water fish such as bass, crappie and perch, many are also regularly stocked with catchable rainbow trout.

According to a recent DWR news release, hatchery personnel are stocking thousands of trout in community fishing waters across Utah in preparation for the Memorial Day weekend and summer months.

Remember that limits are small in most of these waters, often just two trout. The idea is to provide recreation and perhaps a good evening meal of fresh fish.

Fishing for trout at these ponds is best early in the season, before the water gets too warm. So now is a good time to get the fishing gear out of storage and enjoy a few hours angling in a pretty urban setting.