Fishing Offered at Garey Park
Garey Park offers fishing for visitors looking to get outside a wet a line. The 2 acre Lower Pond and 1 1/2 acre Upper Pond are stocked with bass, perch, catfish and feeder fish. Wade fishing and swimming are not allowed, but anglers are welcome to fish from the banks.
All fishing within the park is catch-and-release and all anglers that are 17+ years of age must have a valid Texas fishing license.
Times to Fish in Garey Park
Park Hours
- Spring/Summer (April 1-Sept. 30) – open 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Fall/Winter (Oct. 1-March 31) – open 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Other Important Stuff
- No fishing is allowed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Garey Park is closed on these days.
- If you are headed out to fish late in the day, keep in mind that no one will be admitted into the park within 30 minutes of posted closing time. Hours may vary for special events.
- Regular entrance fees are required to access the fishing ponds within the park.
Garey Park Fishing Derby
From time to time the park will host special fishing events for the public, often geared towards getting kids out to the park to experience the outdoors. These events get youth out and into nature and allows offers them to experience the activity of fishing.
The Garey Park fishing derby has been offered in the past and more of these events will likely take place in the future. Keep your eyes open and your fishing tackle at the ready!
Things to Know About Fishing in the Park
Anglers may fish from the banks of the ponds located within Garey Park. Wade fishing and swimming are not allowed in the ponds. The 2 acre lower pond is stocked with bass, perch, catfish and feeder fish.
The 1.5 acre upper pond, located next to Garey House, is stocked with bass, perch and feeder fish. Fishing in the upper pond is not allowed during private events at Garey House.
All fishing at the park is catch-and-release. A fishing license is required to fish in the ponds. Canoes, kayaks and other watercraft are not allowed in the ponds.
Fishing is also allowed along the San Gabriel River. Please note that the land across the river from Garey Park is private property. No trespassing is allowed. Again, you must possess a fishing license in order to fish in the San Gabriel River.
Tips for Catch & Release Fishing at Garey Park
How to Begin
- Set the hook quickly to reduce likelihood that fish will swallow the bait.
- Play and land fish as quickly as possible. Playing fish to exhaustion can harm the fish.
- Consider using barbless hooks when fishing at Garey Park.
- Keep your release tools close by for when you need them.
Handling Your Catch
Proper handling protects both you and the fish. Fish can have sharp fins that can cut you. Below are a few tips that can help you have fun at the park’s ponds but also allow you to release your catch unharmed:
- Minimize the time fish is out of the water (no longer than you can hold your breath.)
- Leave fish in the water if you can and use a tool to remove the hook.
- If possible, keep the fish from thrashing without using a net. If a net is required, use a rubber-mesh landing net instead of abrasive nylon.
- Avoid removing the slime/mucus layer, which protects fish from parasites and infections.
- Try to keep fish off the ground.
- Use a wet rag or glove, or wet hands before handling fish.
- Turn fish on its back and cover its eyes to calm it.
- Don’t put your fingers in the eyes or gills.
- Smaller fish (< 5 pounds) can be vertically held by the lower jaw, either by hand or with grippers. Hold larger fish horizontally and support with two hands.
Removing the Hook
- Use needle-nose pliers, hemostats, or a hook remover to remove the hook and protect your hands.
- Back the hook out the opposite way it went in.
- Watch this video to learn how to remove a hook embedded deep within the fish.
- For a larger fish in the water, slip a gaff around the leader and slide it to the hook. Lift the gaff upward while pulling downward on the leader.
- Do not jerk or pop a leader to break it. This can injure vital organs in the fish.
Let it Go so it Can Grow
- Place fish in the water, gently supporting the mid-section and tail until it swims away.
- Resuscitate an exhausted fish by moving it or facing it into the current, gently forcing water into the mouth and over the gills.
- Watch the fish when released. If it doesn’t swim away, recover it and try again.
- Follow these steps and hopefully you or another angler at Garey Park will have an opportunity to catch this fish again!