The Mayor’s Fishing Pond at Phinizy Swamp, located at 1823 Lock and Dam Rd., will be closed to the public until July 23 due to recent flooding. Recent showers have swelled the pond to the degree that it is not safe.
According to a news release, the City of Augusta will reschedule the planned July 9 Mayor’s Fishing Pond Derby. No new date has been announced, but participants are asked to call (706) 823-4399 for information.
The pond was originally closed on July 6 for restocking of fish, according to Tim Fulton, assistant director of the Parks and Recreation Department. The pond was to be closed temporarily to give the fish time to acclimate to the new environment and was set to reopen on July 11.
The Mayor’s Fishing Pond is a popular spot for local anglers as it is the one of the few public ponds in the area available for fishing. Many people who enjoy the sport do not fish Lake Olmstead, the Augusta Canal or the Savannah River due to high levels of lead found to be present in the fish.
Scott Hudson is the senior reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
