01-06-2009, 08:10 PM
To kick off the New Year in a big way, the Urban Fishing Program will be stocking incentive size trout at all Urban lakes the week of Jan. 5-10. Incentive stockings include more fish and bigger fish, with many trout from 13-18 inches and over. One of the Colorado trout contractors will be bringing a trophy 10-pound trout and numerous 5-7 pounders for stocking. These trophies could end up in any of the 21 program waters. The current Urban Lakes record trout is a 7.9 pounder. Chances are good that this record will get beat. On average, one in every three trout in this special stocking is a whopper over 13 inches with the remaining fish ranging from 11-12 inches. Remember to purchase your new 2009 Urban fishing license. Daily trout limits are 4 fish at Urban Lakes and 2 fish at Urban Ponds.
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS TO CONSIDER
"¢ Join Anglers Legacy and share the fun of fishing with someone else. Ask a family member, friend or neighbor to join you for a fishing trip to your nearby urban lake. Be their coach for the day, teaching them how to use fishing equipment, methods to catch fish and the rules and ethics of fishing as a sportsman. Someone taught you how to fish, now it's your turn to pass it on. Check out the Angler Legacy Web site for excellent information at.
"¢ Stay legal and informed. Purchase your 2009 Urban Fishing license ($18.50), or for good value buy the Super Conservation Fishing license ($53 residents, $63 non-residents) that covers all Urban waters, state waters and trout fishing privileges (it covers everything!). Don't forget your 2009 two pole stamp. Download the new 2009-2010 Arizona Fishing Regulation booklet [PDF, 8.5mb] and the 2009 Urban Fishing Program brochure [PDF, 1.7mb], or pick up a copy at any license dealer or department office.
"¢ Be a good steward of our precious resources by keeping only the fish you plan to eat and releasing all other fish carefully, quickly and unharmed.
DESERT WEST LAKE GETS NO TROUT<br />
No trout were stocked into Desert West Lake on December 22 due to high pH levels of 9.5-9.6. Two weeks earlier only a partial trout stocking was completed due to high pH. A persistent bloom of a microscopic diatom has been the culprit. Parks officials have been notified and have applied algaecides to control the nuisance algae and allow pH to improve. Lake testing done on January 5 will determine if Desert West Lake will be included in the January 5-10 incentive trout stocking. For the December stockings, the allotment of trout intended for Desert West Lake was added to the regular stockings at Rio Vista, Surprise and Cortez Lakes.
URBAN FISHING REPORT<br />
Recent trout stockings have included plenty of one pound beauties. Many anglers are bringing home stringers of four trout weighing over five pounds. More big trout arrive the week of January 5-10 as part of the Urban Fishing Program's annual incentive trout stocking. One of the Colorado trout suppliers has promised to bring a 10 pound whopper. Many fish in the 1-3 pound range will be part of this special delivery that also includes plenty of extra fish. Get ready for some big fish action by making sure your fishing line is in good shape, your hooks are sharp and your knots are strong. Don't forget to bring along a net to help hoist a lunker from the lake. Best baits for trout continue to be scented dough baits (such as Power Bait), worms or corn. Lures such as Panther Martins, Rooster Tails and Kastmasters also work well when fished 5-10 feet deep. Patience is the key, as the trout bite sporadically throughout the day. Not much going on for catfish, bass or bluegill due to cold water temperatures that slow down these warm water species. Trout fishing is consistently good to excellent at Green Valley lakes in Payson with Power Bait, corn and worms working best. Try small, flashy lures to attract the trout.
STOCKING UPDATES:<br />
"¢ All Urban Fishing Program waters in Phoenix area, Tucson area and Payson last stocked with trout Dec. 22. Next stocking, incentive trout week of Jan. 5-10.
Remember to visit www.azgfd.gov/fishing for updated stocking schedules, fishing blog, weekly fishing reports, where to fish, public events, and other great fishing information! Also check out the web for new information on the Urban Fishing Program, send us your photos and fishing reports, or submit your email address to get your name on our email distribution list for up to eight different newsletters/reports.
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS TO CONSIDER
"¢ Join Anglers Legacy and share the fun of fishing with someone else. Ask a family member, friend or neighbor to join you for a fishing trip to your nearby urban lake. Be their coach for the day, teaching them how to use fishing equipment, methods to catch fish and the rules and ethics of fishing as a sportsman. Someone taught you how to fish, now it's your turn to pass it on. Check out the Angler Legacy Web site for excellent information at.
"¢ Stay legal and informed. Purchase your 2009 Urban Fishing license ($18.50), or for good value buy the Super Conservation Fishing license ($53 residents, $63 non-residents) that covers all Urban waters, state waters and trout fishing privileges (it covers everything!). Don't forget your 2009 two pole stamp. Download the new 2009-2010 Arizona Fishing Regulation booklet [PDF, 8.5mb] and the 2009 Urban Fishing Program brochure [PDF, 1.7mb], or pick up a copy at any license dealer or department office.
"¢ Be a good steward of our precious resources by keeping only the fish you plan to eat and releasing all other fish carefully, quickly and unharmed.
DESERT WEST LAKE GETS NO TROUT<br />
No trout were stocked into Desert West Lake on December 22 due to high pH levels of 9.5-9.6. Two weeks earlier only a partial trout stocking was completed due to high pH. A persistent bloom of a microscopic diatom has been the culprit. Parks officials have been notified and have applied algaecides to control the nuisance algae and allow pH to improve. Lake testing done on January 5 will determine if Desert West Lake will be included in the January 5-10 incentive trout stocking. For the December stockings, the allotment of trout intended for Desert West Lake was added to the regular stockings at Rio Vista, Surprise and Cortez Lakes.
URBAN FISHING REPORT<br />
Recent trout stockings have included plenty of one pound beauties. Many anglers are bringing home stringers of four trout weighing over five pounds. More big trout arrive the week of January 5-10 as part of the Urban Fishing Program's annual incentive trout stocking. One of the Colorado trout suppliers has promised to bring a 10 pound whopper. Many fish in the 1-3 pound range will be part of this special delivery that also includes plenty of extra fish. Get ready for some big fish action by making sure your fishing line is in good shape, your hooks are sharp and your knots are strong. Don't forget to bring along a net to help hoist a lunker from the lake. Best baits for trout continue to be scented dough baits (such as Power Bait), worms or corn. Lures such as Panther Martins, Rooster Tails and Kastmasters also work well when fished 5-10 feet deep. Patience is the key, as the trout bite sporadically throughout the day. Not much going on for catfish, bass or bluegill due to cold water temperatures that slow down these warm water species. Trout fishing is consistently good to excellent at Green Valley lakes in Payson with Power Bait, corn and worms working best. Try small, flashy lures to attract the trout.
STOCKING UPDATES:<br />
"¢ All Urban Fishing Program waters in Phoenix area, Tucson area and Payson last stocked with trout Dec. 22. Next stocking, incentive trout week of Jan. 5-10.
Remember to visit www.azgfd.gov/fishing for updated stocking schedules, fishing blog, weekly fishing reports, where to fish, public events, and other great fishing information! Also check out the web for new information on the Urban Fishing Program, send us your photos and fishing reports, or submit your email address to get your name on our email distribution list for up to eight different newsletters/reports.