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.

NOTE: Twice each year, the Urban Fishing Program shares with you the specific stocking date.  We do this in the fall when we switch from catfish to trout stockings, and again in the spring when we switch back to catfish.  For the other stocking dates throughout the year, only the week of stocking is announced to the public (Monday thru Saturday).

Top baits for catfish are shrimp, stink baits and hot dogs with fish biting throughout the day.  Bluegill are biting well on a variety of baits (mealworms, bread, hot dogs) and are ready to take wet flies in the late mornings and afternoon.  Using light tackle with small hooks and bobbers will keep you and the kids busy catching bluegill.  The Green Valley Lakes (Payson) were stocked with rainbow trout on October 20, kicking off an eight month stocking season.  Fishing is excellent for the 11-14 inch trout.  Best trout baits include Powerbait, worms and small spinners and lures.

STOCKING SCHEDULE

• All UFP waters in Phoenix area and Tucson area – Last stocked catfish Oct. 22, bluegill Oct. 28-29. Next stocking, catfish the week of November 2-7 and bass in Nov.
• Green Valley Lakes (Payson) – Last stocked trout Oct. 20 (season opening). Next stocking, trout the week of Nov. 2-7.

Additional Information:

• Buy your License
• Rules & Regulations
• Where to Fish
• Weekly Fishing Report
• Lake Levels
• Stocking Schedule
• Fish Consumption Advisories
• Fishing Glossary

The annual stocking of largemouth bass is scheduled to occur in November with over 8,000 fish on order.  Bass will be from 6-9 inches in length—below the 13-inch minimum legal size.  Younger bass are stocked to help rebuild the resident bass populations in our lakes.  They are not stocked for anglers to catch and keep like catfish, bluegill or trout.  Regulations require that anglers carefully release these juvenile bass unharmed back into the water so they can grow to catchable size in the future.

Trout can be caught on small spinners and spoons, by fly fishermen using nymphs or wet flies, and by baits such as scented dough baits, worms or salmon eggs.  Remember to use lighter line in the 2-6 pound range, smaller hooks and a minimal amount of weight. Limits on trout are 4 per day for licensed anglers and 2 trout for children under age 14.

There are also many other species of fish waiting to be caught in the urban waters.  Bluegill and redear sunfish are abundant in most lakes and can provide rapid action for anglers that target them.  Try meal worms on a size 10 hook, fished under a small pencil bobber using 2-6 pound test line.  Largemouth bass are present in all the lakes, with the better populations found in the larger urban waters.  Specialized bass techniques and approaches have been developed by urban bass anglers.  This group of avid catch and release anglers tend to be rather tight lipped about their bass fishing tips.  In the past week, an angler reported excellent fishing for crappie up to 12 inches.  A couple of the urban lakes have yellow bass populations that peak and ebb from year to year.  Even the common carp can provide great sport for anglers fishing corn or dough balls and the smallest of sinkers to hold the bait in place.  Carp from 3-10 pounds provide quite a thrill.  So take up the challenge to modify your fishing strategies to catch some of the other, abundant fish found in the urban waters.

Eric Swanson, Urban Fisheries Program Manager, sees the growth trend as “Lots of people recognizing the excellent value of this high quality and affordable outdoor fishing experience close to home. It fits right in with our urban program motto; if people can’t get to the fish, we bring fish to the people.”

The consistent, reliable delivery of quality fish throughout the year creates fun, family-friendly fishing opportunity at an affordable price.  Urban Fishing licenses are just $18.50 and can be purchased from over 320 license dealers and sporting goods stores statewide.

Additional Information:

• Buy your License
• Rules & Regulations
• Where to Fish
• Weekly Fishing Report
• Lake Levels
• Stocking Schedule
• Fish Consumption Advisories
• Fishing Glossary