SALISBURY — The city released trout into Community Park Lake on Wednesday.

Michael Hanna, the stormwater environmental specialist for the city, said the restocking was with extra trout being harvested in the mountains. A couple of years ago, another area stocked trout in its pond, so the city asked to be notified if there was future overharvesting.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission restocked 960 rainbow, brown and brook trout in the lake. They are about 10 to 12 inches long.

Hanna said he hopes the trout stocking promotes fishing opportunities in the community.

He said several years ago, the city stocked catfish yearly, but that was discontinued.

Trout thrive best in cold water and should survive in the lake until April or May, which Hanna expects will be plenty of time for the trout to be caught.

Fishing the trout at Community Park Lake requires a North Carolina fishing License. A trout stamp is not required. A maximum catch of seven trout per day is mandated, but there is no minimum length limit or bait restrictions.

Hanna said the lake is one of 25 ponds to be selected for trout restocking.

“We hope that it’s successful to continue in the next couple of years,” he said.

Community Park Lake is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in December and January.