The city of Idaho Falls may be getting it's first urban fisheries. But is it worth your tax dollars? With the gorgeous snake river running right through town and and a fishery just a few miles away, you may be wondering if it's a waste of money. Fish and Game says it's about the importance of family traditions.

Steve Schmidt, Fish and Game Director: "Our biggest need is to develop a place to take the kids and teach them how to fish. And that's very difficult on the river. It's much easier to do on a lake."

But what about Gem Lake? That's also a fishery and less than five miles from town.

Schmidt: "The pond was designed not just for fish but for other wildlife too. It wasn't designed to just be a fishing pond."

And Schmidt feels it's key to teach these anglers often and early.

Schmidt: "Studies have shown that 85% of people fishing today learn to fish before they were 12, so this is a life skill."

These new ponds are part of a larger scheme between Fish and Game and the City's Park and Rec department. Ryder Park is a proposed 58-acre property off of Sunnyside Road which should cost at least $5.2 million to complete. Fish and Game has already put in $100,000 sportman's dollars into the pond but expect it will cost a lot more.

Dave Christansen, Park and Rec Director: "We have to develop these partnerships. This was just a great fit. It's gonna be a nice asset."

Both sides still don't have a set plan as to when construction should start. But they're hoping to raise significant private funds so our tax dollars won't go towards the project.