09-21-2007, 02:56 PM
[size 1]As scheduled, channel catfish stockings will resume this week (September 17-22) at all 19 Urban Fishing Program waters in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Over 13,700 pounds of 1.5-2 pound catfish will be transported all the way from Arkansas in two large hauling trucks by our fish contractor. Game and Fish biologists will accompany each truck to every lake to ensure that all stocking operations run smoothly and successfully, and that all fish pass our high inspection standards for excellent condition and health. Lake temperatures for the Tucson area waters are in the low 80s, about five degrees cooler than Phoenix area lakes. The high pH levels at Silverbell Lake in Tucson that resulted in five cancelled stockings last spring have declined over the summer and catfish will be stocked there this week for the first time in five months. The fall catfish stocking season includes a total of four stockings at two week intervals through early November. Stockings will occur on random days during the designated stocking week. This alternating week schedule will only change if fish delivery problems occur (we have a 98% "on-time" delivery success) or conditions at an individual lake are unsuitable for stocking (for example high pH levels).
SEQUENCE OF NATURAL EVENTS KILLS FISH AT GREEN VALLEY LAKES
On Saturday, September 1 a fish kill began at Green Valley Lakes #1, 2 and 3 in Payson. Payson Parks and Recreation and Water Department personnel worked in concert with Game and Fish biologists to respond and investigate. Over the next 11 days more than 2,000 young fish were removed. The cause of the fish kill is attributed to low oxygen levels due to recent rainfall events, high nutrient loading, high algae and aquatic plant biomass and decomposition, cloudy skies, and high water temperatures. Water samples were examined microscopically for harmful algae and none were found. The one acre lake #2 suffered the greatest fish loss. Approximately 95% of the dead fish were 2-5 inch black crappie. Very few adult fish, including bluegill, crappie, bass and catfish, were affected. Lake conditions have since stabilized and cooling lake temperatures have helped improve the oxygen levels. Park staff and Game and Fish biologists are continuing to monitor the situation.
URBAN FISHING REPORT
Fishing for catfish should be good to excellent once the fall stocking program kicks off the week of September 17-22. Orders have been placed for regular stockings of 1.5-2 pound channel catfish into all 19 Urban Program lakes in both the Tucson and Phoenix areas. Lakes will be stocked at rates of 35-70 catfish per acre every two weeks through early November. Fishing for bluegill is fair, but should improve as waters cool. As lake temperatures fall below 82 degrees expect better action for largemouth bass, especially in the early morning periods. Try finesse plastics rigged drop shot or Texas style for the bass and mix it up with small crankbaits or soft jerkbaits. A modest fish kill occurred at Green Valley lakes in Payson the first part of September due to low oxygen, however only fingerling and juvenile crappie were most affected. Fishing for bass, bluegill and crappie should improve by the end of September as lake temperatures fall rapidly at Green Valley. [/size]
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SEQUENCE OF NATURAL EVENTS KILLS FISH AT GREEN VALLEY LAKES
On Saturday, September 1 a fish kill began at Green Valley Lakes #1, 2 and 3 in Payson. Payson Parks and Recreation and Water Department personnel worked in concert with Game and Fish biologists to respond and investigate. Over the next 11 days more than 2,000 young fish were removed. The cause of the fish kill is attributed to low oxygen levels due to recent rainfall events, high nutrient loading, high algae and aquatic plant biomass and decomposition, cloudy skies, and high water temperatures. Water samples were examined microscopically for harmful algae and none were found. The one acre lake #2 suffered the greatest fish loss. Approximately 95% of the dead fish were 2-5 inch black crappie. Very few adult fish, including bluegill, crappie, bass and catfish, were affected. Lake conditions have since stabilized and cooling lake temperatures have helped improve the oxygen levels. Park staff and Game and Fish biologists are continuing to monitor the situation.
URBAN FISHING REPORT
Fishing for catfish should be good to excellent once the fall stocking program kicks off the week of September 17-22. Orders have been placed for regular stockings of 1.5-2 pound channel catfish into all 19 Urban Program lakes in both the Tucson and Phoenix areas. Lakes will be stocked at rates of 35-70 catfish per acre every two weeks through early November. Fishing for bluegill is fair, but should improve as waters cool. As lake temperatures fall below 82 degrees expect better action for largemouth bass, especially in the early morning periods. Try finesse plastics rigged drop shot or Texas style for the bass and mix it up with small crankbaits or soft jerkbaits. A modest fish kill occurred at Green Valley lakes in Payson the first part of September due to low oxygen, however only fingerling and juvenile crappie were most affected. Fishing for bass, bluegill and crappie should improve by the end of September as lake temperatures fall rapidly at Green Valley. [/size]
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