Metolius Pond, which is open to fishing for youth and disabled anglers only, will be closed to public entry from now until May 1, 2019.

The pond on ODFW property in Camp Sherman opened this summer and was last stocked with trout on Labor Day. It will be stocked again in time for the May 1 opening next year.

“The pond has been a great success the last few months, with many families visiting and children catching their first fish,” said Jen Luke, ODFW STEP biologist in the Deschutes Watershed.

Local residents in the small community of Camp Sherman had expressed concerns about the new fishing destination increasing traffic and causing a nuisance during the planning process for the pond. The winter closure will help avoid any nuisance problems, at a time when fishing opportunities will be limited anyway due to cold temperatures and lack of trout stocking.

For more on fishing opportunities in the area, see the Central Zone fishing report.