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The scheduled date for the first trout delivery of the winter season is Thursday, Nov. 13 for all lakes in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Trout averaging from 11-12 inches will be stocked at rates of 80-100 fish per lake surface acre for Urban Lakes and at lower rates for Urban Ponds. Fish deliveries will occur throughout the day starting from early morning well into the afternoon. Trout stockings will continue at two-week intervals throughout the next four months.
A total of over 12,000 trout from two Colorado trout producers will be delivered to all 21 waters in one day. With the colder temperatures at Payson’s Green Valley Lakes, trout stockings already started in October and will continue every other week. Remember, daily bag and possession limits for trout at Urban Lakes are four fish per person for licensed anglers and two fish for unlicensed juveniles under the age of 14. Trout limits at Urban Ponds are two fish for licensed anglers and one fish for youth.
2008 URBAN FISHING LICENSES 50% OFF SALE
If you recently found out about the great fishing in the urban lakes and the start of the trout stocking season, we have a deal for you. The 2008 Class U, Urban Fishing, license is now 50% off for the last two months of the year. Stop by a Game and Fish office or any of our sporting goods or retail license dealers and ask for your 2008 discount Urban license for $9.25. Fishing is excellent this time of year at all Urban Program lakes for trout, bluegill and catfish.
2008 BIG FISH-OF-THE-YEAR LEADERS
We have some impressive entries so far in the Urban Fishing Program 2008 Big Fish-of-the-Year contest.
- Channel catfish - Topping the list is a 10.2 pound channel catfish caught by Shay Denniston from Lakeside Lake in Tucson.
- Rainbow trout - A 5.25 pound incentive stocked rainbow trout was caught from Water Ranch Lake in January by Tony Morello.
- Catch-and-release: Louis Hoeniger has been busy with three catch and release records all from Papago Ponds: a 25-inch catfish, 18-inch largemouth bass and an 8-inch bluegill.
With only two months to go, there are plenty of chances to report your big fish catches in either of two categories; kept or released. Application forms and instructions for the contest are in the current Urban Fishing Program brochure or Arizona Fishing Regulation booklet. Updates on the current leaders can be checked out on our Web site at www.azgfd.gov/fishing and click on "Big Fish-of-the-Year" link. Each year’s winners receive a certificate, hat and other gifts.
URBAN FISHING REPORT
Rainbow trout stockings are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 13 at all Urban Fishing Program waters. Fishing should be good to excellent for anglers using scented dough baits (such as PowerBait), worms or small trout lures. Trout stockings will continue every two weeks from November to March. All lakes were recently stocked with bluegill and action is good for these feisty fighters. Try mealworms, corn or doughballs fished below a small bobber for the best action. Catfish action is fair now that the fall stockings are over. Trout fishing is good to excellent at Green Valley lakes in Payson. Best action for trout is coming on PowerBait, salmon eggs, worms and small spinners.
STOCKING UPDATES:
- Phoenix Area Lakes - Last stocked catfish Oct. 31, bluegill and bass on Oct. 23. Next stocking: trout on Nov.13 – first of season.
- Tucson Area Lakes - Last stocked catfish Oct. 31, bluegill and bass on Oct. 23. Next stocking: trout on Nov.13 – first of season.
- Green Valley Lakes (Payson) - Last stocked trout Oct. 29. Next stocking: trout on Nov. 13.
Visit www.azgfd.gov for updated stocking schedules, fishing clinics, public events, and other great fishing information! Also check out www.azgfd.gov/urbanfishing for new information on the Urban Fishing Program, Weekly Fishing Reports, to get your own copy of this Urban Fishing Bulletin, or submit your email address to get your name on our bi-weekly email distribution list.
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