JOHN S. ODENKIRK, Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, 1320 Belman Road, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401, USA

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries initiated a 2-year, 3-site prototype urban fishing program in 1993 to increase angling participation in urban and suburban areas. The program has since become permanent, and the initial 3 sites were joined by a fourth in 1995 and 2 new sites in 1996. Program components consist of: Department-locality partnerships, a 2-phase catchable stocking schedule, support features and creel evaluation. Objectives are to support fishing pressures of 2,470 hrs/ha per site, to produce average annual catch rates of 1 fish/hr and to attract a significant number of novice and junior anglers. Stocking adjustments were made in 1995, and current annual rates are 2964 trout/ha and 1235 catfish/ha. per site. Stocking frequencies are twice per month Nov-Apr (trout) and monthly May to Aug (catfish). Pressure objectives were substantially exceeded, but catch rates averaged only 0.5 fish/hr. Return of stocked fish was high, and the program continued to diversify the Department's traditional constituent base while increasing license sales. The program is successful and growing; however, catch rates of 1 fish/hr. are likely unrealistic. Cooperative localities are mandatory for the program - which is truly a series of partnerships - to succeed.