Joseph Simpson of Tyler shows off his catch using the new fishing pier.

TYLER | FAULKNER PARK

A new fishing pier is open at Faulkner Park Pond where Tylerites can enjoy the shade while they try to catch catfish, bass and perch.

The East Texas Woods and Waters Foundation donated the pier to the city and dedicated it Thursday morning in memory of two former members of the club.

The pier is on the southern side of Faulkner Park Pond where locals often stand on the shore to fish. There is a shaded area on the pier that people can use to sit down or keep their bait out of the sun.

The pier is about 450 square feet, ac

cording to Russ Jackson, the director of parks and recreation for the city of Tyler. The foundation spent about $20,000 on the pier.

The two men the pier is dedicated to are Dr. Steve Wilson, a local veterinarian who died in 2013, and Jeryl Story, an avid hunter and angler, who also died in 2013.

“One of our goals is to get kids involved in the outdoors,” said Taylor Burns, a member of the East Texas Woods and Waters Foundation. “If a kid gets interested in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, whatever it might be, the chances of that child getting into trouble later in life is greatly diminished.”

In the future, Jackson said he would like to raise money to build a boardwalk from a trail that ends on the east side of the pond to a walking area on the north side of the pond that leads to the athletic fields.

Faulkner Park is located off West Cumberland Road in Tyler. The pier is open from dawn until dusk. Fishing permits are required for anyone over 17 fishing on the lake.

Fish for free this Saturday

Bring out the poles and lures because anglers can fish for free on Saturday.

Texas offers a free fishing day annually on the first Saturday in June, which applies to any public body of water in the state.

Typically, fishing licenses are required for anyone over 17 fishing on any body of water outside of a state park. That includes Lake Tyler and Lake Palestine. Permits are typically also required to fish in Tyler’s Faulkner Park pond and Woldert Park pond.

Fishing permits are not required inside state parks, as long as the person has paid the applicable day or camping fees.

Check out Tylerpaper.com for links to information on how to get a fishing permit as well as bag limits for bodies of water in the city limits.