Something’s a little fishy at Cook Lake in Alexandria — and that’s a good thing. Editor Ava, here. Yesterday, I had the chance to stock trout in this well-loved fishing spot. It's one of the many lakes included in the Urban Fishing Program.

Understanding Cook Lake
Located in the Eisenhower Valley of Alexandria, this lake was constructed in the 1970s as a fishing pond. Strawberry Run flows into it, and the lake then flows into Cameron Run. While the lake gets manually stocked with various species of fish, some, like bass and sunfish, are naturally occurring.

A forebay separates the lake from Strawberry Run, where debris, sediment, and pollutants are captured, reducing their impact on Cook Lake.

These fish are currently swimming laps in Cook Lake. | Photo by NOVAtoday

Type of fish stocked
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) works to stock lakes throughout Virginia. The two types of fish stocked in Cook Lake yesterday were brown and rainbow trout, which are not native to Virginia. I must say, they are quite the pretty fish.

Catfish more your taste? In warmer months, the DWR stocks channel catfish for anglers to enjoy.

Both the trout and catfish are sourced from hatcheries throughout the state of Virginia. Learn more about those hatcheries.

When fishing at Cook Lake, a license is not required for trout from June 16 through September 30.

The fish get transported in a truck like this one. | Photo by NOVAtoday

How often are these lakes stocked?
Between November and April, the Virginia DWR stocks these lakes five times, providing fishing opportunities for the community. Ideally, the lakes would be stocked ten times, as higher stocking rates increase the chances of catching fish — especially for novice anglers, helping build excitement and participation.

Budget cuts prevented the program from reaching that goal. At one point, restocking was reduced to just twice per season, but new funding has allowed the number of stockings to increase to five.

“Put and Take”
This is the method those who stock the fish live by: They put the trout or catfish into the lakes, and locals can come, fish, and take them home to eat. John Odenkirk with the Virginia DWR compared it to the trout that you would get at your local Whole Foods.

Do these fish affect the ecosystem?
The short answer is no, due to the strategic planning of the DWR workers. Rainbow trout mainly eat insects, while brown trout are known to eat other small fish. So, the DWR wouldn’t stock these trout in a lake with endangered small fish.

Want to see a stocking for yourself? They are often posted a week prior on this webpage.