TEMPE – Catch the holiday spirit at the “Welcome Back the Trout” celebration at Tempe Town Lake after school lets out in the afternoon on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

It’s an annual Arizona holiday tradition!

Once again this year the Town of Tempe and the Arizona Game and Fish Department are teaming up to provide the Valley of the Sun the first angling action of the holidays when 1,500 trout will be stocked at 3 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Town Lake Marina to kick off the annual fishing festival.

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman will be on hand to stock the first net full of wiggling rainbows.

“This has become a fun-packed annual Arizona tradition just before Thanksgiving each year,” said Fisheries Chief Kirk Young.

Something new has been added this year – kayaks. The City of Tempe will have kayaks on hand for people to try.

“Kayaks and other self-propelled fishing boats and floats are all the rage right now, and with good reason. They are fun, affordable and very portable,” said Young.

Besides stocking the Town Lake with feisty rainbow trout, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will also be conducting a fishing clinic at the Town Lake Marina from 3-5 p.m. with 100 rods and reels and a limited supply of bait available on a first-come basis to participants. Those who are signed up for the fishing clinic do not need a fishing license. For a map to the Town Lake Marina, click here.

Once again this year, representatives from Cabela’s in Glendale will be on hand to help out with the fishing clinic.

The Game and Fish Department will be stocking the 224-acre Tempe Town Lake with trout from November through March, with almost 24,000 rainbows throughout the winter trout fishing season. During the December holidays, the lake will be stocked with trout weekly.

“Tempe Town Lake has become one of our most popular fisheries, especially during the winter trout fishing season. It’s a great place to kick back and relax a little during the often frantic holiday season,” said Young.

Trout are also stocked throughout the winter in such places as the Lower Salt River, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, the Verde River between Cottonwood and Camp Verde, and Oak Creek. For a complete winter stocking schedule, visit www.azgfd.gov.

“This is the time to get out for winter trout,” Young said, “Plus the bass fishing is still going strong at our Phoenix area lakes. Don’t forget that the 2008 General Class A and urban fishing licenses are on sale for half price in November and December.”