Fishing at the Riparian Preserve

This Saturday from 9 am to noon is Youth Fishing Day at the Riparian Preserve, according to this AZ Republic article:

Gilbert's youngsters can enjoy a couple of hours of casting and reeling this weekend.

Youth Fishing Day will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. The free fishing is open to the public.

Kids and adults can fish for blue gill and catfish without an urban fishing license, but they sign up with an Arizona Game and Fish official who will be on site.

"As long as they can hold a pole, we'll get them out there," said Rob Matthews, a town recreation programmer for youth sports and teen services.

A kids' raffle for rods, tackle boxes and other items is scheduled.

If you don't have fishing gear, extra rods and reels will be made available to the first 100 people. Volunteers will help tie hooks and bait lines.

Mathews said it creates an opportunity to generate interest in Gilbert's urban lake, Matthews said.

"A lot of people don't know Water Ranch Lake is there," he said.

The Riparian Preserve is within walking distance of Higley Groves West residents; the trail starts at the northwest corner of the community under the powerlines.