DO WINTER STORMS AFFECT URBAN FISHING?

With all the wet storms this winter, a question commonly asked is “how do these cold, wet storms affect urban fishing?”  Larger reservoirs such as Roosevelt Lake, Bartlett Lake and Alamo Lake receive high amounts of storm water runoff, an infusion of nutrients to fuel the food chain, and extensive vegetated shallow zones are flooded creating optimal sites for explosive spring spawning success.  Most Urban Fishing Program lakes, however, are not located on drainages, and in many cases are intentionally designed to minimize park site runoff into the lake basin.  In many cases, the rains only raise urban lake levels a couple inches, and if levels start to overflow, water is pumped out.  Rains always bring additional nutrients or natural fertilizers (nitrogen and phosphorus) to the lakes from the atmosphere, from park runoff into the lakes, and from leaf and grass debris.  Some nutrients can be beneficial to increasing lake productivity, but too many nutrients can trigger algae blooms and stimulate aquatic weed growth.  Lake managers and fish biologists are extra watchful this time of year to make sure our lake systems remain in good balance.  The cold water and air temperatures are actually quite refreshing to the cold-water rainbow trout that are being stocked all winter long.  Some of the best trout fishing can occur at the beginning of a rainstorm or after the storm front has passed by.  Rainfall and cooling temperatures can help to lower temperatures, lower pH levels and increase oxygenation—factors that can greatly stimulate trout feeding activity.

Another winter storm consideration is being able to transport the trout from their Colorado homes to Arizona safely and on time.  Our two Colorado-based trout vendors must drive their large, heavy trucks full of water and fish through high elevation passes with deep snow, and long expanses of high elevation desert and forest lands with strong winds and blowing snow drifts.  We are in constant communication with our trout suppliers to track all large storms and be aware of road conditions.  So far, we have not missed a single week of stocking.  It helps that our weekly stockings can take place from a Monday through Saturday.  This six day stocking window gives us the flexibility we need to rearrange stocking deliveries around most storms that typically last only 1-3 days.

Many urban anglers are unwilling to brave cold and wet fishing conditions resulting in reduced fishing pressure and fish lasting a bit longer after stocking.  For those who are up to the task of fishing in inclement weather, they can be rewarded with good to excellent fishing and minimal “competition” from other anglers.  Further bonuses are the sometimes stunning sunsets, cloud formations and rainbows that come with stormy weather.  Wild waterfowl such as teal, pintail and mallards love the cold weather and often fly into urban parks during stormy days making for a fun viewing experience.  So, bring on the storms!  We need them and we love them.  After all, rain = fish habitat.

URBAN FISHING REPORT
Fishing for trout continues to be good to excellent at most Urban Fishing Program waters.  Winter storms have invigorated the trout and anglers willing the brave the weather are rewarded with good action and little competition.  Anglers using scented dough baits (such as PowerBait), worms fished under a bobber, or small trout lures have been successful.  Best times to fish for trout generally are early morning, but some anglers have reported excellent fishing late afternoon.  Small spinners such as Rooster Tails and Panther Martins, or spoons such as Super Dupers are also working well for trout, especially during periods just before and after storms.  Trout fishing is fair at Green Valley lakes in Payson with PowerBait and small flashy spinners working best.  Lake waters at Green Valley (Payson) and Lakeside (Tucson) are brown colored and murky due to the high runoff from recent storms—making fishing tough.