The East Selma Fish Pond, stocked with catfish and tilapia, will reopen next week.

The pond, which is located on Plant Street, will be open Saturday, May 9 for youth catfish day from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the first time this spring.

Only kids will be allowed to fish that day, said interim recreation director Lebo Jones.

The pond will also open Monday, May 11 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a special fishing day for those 50-and-older. Following those days, the pond will then be open to everyone every Tuesday from 7 a.m. to noon, Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon through July 25.

Along with catfish and tilapia, Jones said there are bream and grass carp in the pond as well.

Jones said the pond was restocked with tilapia around two weeks ago and catfish three weeks ago.

“It’s a great thing for families to do, with it being a two-acre pond right there in the middle of the city,” Jones said.

“You don’t really have to live in the country to go fishing. You can just go right outside your back door. Being in a neighborhood like that is real convenient. It has a lot of room and a walking trail. It’s just a great thing for Ward 8 and our city.”

The pond will close on July 25 and then will reopen in the fall. Jones said it typically reopens in October.