Kids who want to go fishing can wet a hook in their own hometowns. Salem, Spanish Fork and Payson all sponsor urban fishing programs.

The cities, in conjunction with the Division of Wildlife Resources, will take kids fishing at the urban ponds in those cities. The kids will learn not only about fishing but also about habitat.

Youth need to sign up at their respective recreation departments. The fishing classes start soon.

Salem Urban Fishing Club is open to youth in first through sixth grades. The program focuses on educating youth about fishing and aquatic resources. It will run for six weeks on Wednesday evenings, from 6 p.m. until dark.

The first class is April 6, at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 60 N. 100 East in Salem. The rest of the classes will be held at Salem Pond.

“I’m in good shape for instructors. I’ve got one for each kid,” said Matt Marziale, Salem Recreation director.

All participants will receive a Salem Fishing Club T-shirt. Registration is $20. A $5 non-resident fee and a $5 late fee will be added where applicable.

Spanish Fork Urban Fishing program still needs volunteers, but there are plenty of kids interested in the program.

Kids need to provide their own pole and Spanish Fork Recreation will provide everything else, including a fishing instructor. There are two clubs in Spanish Fork, one on Tuesday and one on Thursday. Anglers are reminded to please attend the class for which they signed up.

Spanish Fork fishing classes meet once a week for six weeks. Tuesday session begins this Tuesday, and Thursday session begins this Thursday.

Classes last two hours with the first half hour spent learning different fishing techniques and habitat needs. The remaining hour and a half is spent fishing with the instructor.

Classes are held at either Canyon View Park or Spanish Oaks Reservoir from 6 to 8 p.m.

Each instructor works with and supervises groups of five or six children.

“I’d love to have five or six more volunteers,” said Bronco Hunter, Spanish Fork Recreation program coordinator. “They need to be good with kids and know a little about fishing,” he added.

For the Spanish Fork Urban Fishing program, instructors must be 18 years of age or older and willing to volunteer two hours a week on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, or both.

Volunteer time spent in this program may be credited toward Dedicated Hunter requirements.

Register online for Spanish Fork Youth Urban Fishing Program at reconline.spanishfork.org or at the Parks and Recreation Office, 775 N. Main in Spanish Fork. Registration is $15; an optional Urban Fishing T-shirt is $6. Kids need to bring their own fishing pole, and tackle and bait are provided.

Payson’s youth fishing program opens later than the other two cities

“Our goal is that every kid gets a pole in their hands,” said Jeremy Alvey, assistant recreation director. The Payson program is small — 15 to 25 kids. One employee supervises and teaches the class and volunteers assist the kids fishing. DWR helps with supplies and supports the program. The Fishing Program will be at Spring Lake on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting April 19. Volunteer instructors really get into the program.

“They ask, ‘Why isn’t everybody doing this?’ ” Alvey said. Two are returning from last year. There are no difficult-to-access points on Spring Lake and DWR keeps it well stocked.

Payson’s Youth Fishing Program is open to students from third to sixth grade. Early registration fee is $25 and the regular registration fee is $30. The registration fee includes a T-shirt and equipment will be provided if needed.

Early registrations runs through April 9. Register online or at the recreation office, 1050 S. Main, in Payson. Regular registration will apply after April 9.

For more information about the Spanish Fork program or to sign up as a volunteer, contact the Spanish Fork Recreation Office at (801) 804-4600. For calendar and more information, go to spanishfork.org/dept/parkrec.

For more Salem Urban Fishing information, contact the Salem Recreation Department at 60 N. 100 East or call (801) 423-1035 or visit online at www.salemcity.org. You can also friend Salem Recreation on Facebook.

For more information about the Payson program, call (801) 465-6031 or go to www.paysonutah.org and click on Parks and Recreation, Recreation Programs, Youth Fishing for online registration and class information.