Free Facility Offers Great Fishing and Outdoor Opportunities
A family fishing at Tingley Beach. Photo courtesy of ABQ BioPark.
Tingley Beach fishing ponds are stocked with catfish and ready to welcome anglers for National Free Fishing Day on June 2. No fishing license is required to fish from dawn until dusk on this special day. From 8 a.m. until noon, BioPark volunteers, New Mexico Trout and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will provide a fishing clinic and fun learning stations.
"It is always free to fish at Tingley Beach. And since you don't need a fishing license on National Fishing Day, it's a great time to fish for the first time or to start fishing again if it's been awhile," said Rebecca Houtman, Curator of Tingley Beach. "Tingley Beach is such a treasure for Albuquerque--free fishing in a beautiful, well-maintained park just minutes from downtown and the Rio Grande. We hope to see lots of new faces on Saturday!"
As part of the ABQ BioPark, Tingley Beach benefits from the BioPark's large team of experts. Fish experts and water quality staff from the Aquarium manage fish health and an exceptional aquatic ecosystem. Veterinarians from the Zoo care for waterfowl injured by fishing line or hooks. Horticulturalists from the Botanic Garden care for the landscaping in the 23-acre park. Education staff and volunteers provide events and activities at the facility. Maintenance and security work to keep the grounds clean and safe.
Tingley Beach is also part of BioPark-wide conservation efforts with habitat restoration efforts and a monofilament recycling program that is the only one of its kind in the Southwest.
"This level of expertise is unparalleled in similar facilities, and we are all striving for this urban fishery's success," said Rick Janser, BioPark Director. "We are pleased to offer citizens and tourists a great facility where they can cast their lines, go for a walk or enjoy a picnic."
