For the weeks of Dec. 21, 2008 – Jan. 3, 2009
HOLIDAY CHECKLIST REMINDERS
- Pick up the new 2009-2010 Arizona Fishing Regulation booklet at your local license dealer. There are big changes in bass limits on the Salt River lakes. Go to www.azgfd.gov to view the new regulations.
- While you are at it, make sure to get the 2009 Urban Fishing Program brochure.
- After December 31, you will need a new 2009 license to fish. 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!). Licenses are available at 340 license dealers and all regional Game and Fish offices. [more about fishing and hunting licenses]
- All anglers age 14 and over must purchase a license to fish in Arizona. Conversly, children 13 and under - fish for FREE - so take a child fishing.
- You can buy fishing and hunting licenses as gifts (you’ll need to know the other person’s personal information).
INCENTIVE TROUT STOCKINGS SCHEDULED JANUARY 5-10
To kick off the New Year in a big way, the Urban Fishing Program (UFP) will be stocking incentive size trout at all UFP lakes. Incentive stockings include many trout from 13-18 inches with some even larger over four pounds. On average, one in every four trout is a whopper over 13 inches with the remaining fish ranging from 11-12 inches. All Urban waters will receive incentive stockings during the week of January 5-10.
PELICANS FLY OFF-COURSE, VISIT URBAN LAKES
Two brown pelicans have been seen at Urban Fishing Program lakes recently. One pelican stayed at Papago Park in Phoenix over three weeks establishing a reputation as a fish thief. Anglers reported watching the large bird swoop from the palm trees to dive and catch up to five or six trout a day. On one occasion, the pelican flew towards some anglers and grabbed a stringer of three trout right in front of them and took off swallowing the fish and the stringer! Other anglers complained about the pelican aggressively chasing trout as they tried to reel them in. The pelican has since been removed by a wildlife rescue group. A second brown pelican was recently observed at Sahuarita Lake, eating more trout. If the fish gobbling bird doesn’t leave soon, wildlife officials will have the bird removed and relocated to the California coast to join the Papago Park fish thief.
URBAN FISHING REPORT
The December 10 trout stocking included a large number of big trout over two pounds. Most fish weighed at least a pound and numerous whoppers up to four pounds were released. Word has it that more big trout will be stocked in the coming weeks as our Colorado trout suppliers report plenty of big fish in their inventory due to an excellent growing season this past summer. In our hard times, it is exciting that one commodity (trout) is doing great. Fishing continues to be good to excellent for anglers using scented dough baits (such as Power Bait), worms or corn. Patience is the key, as the trout bite sporadically throughout the day. Also key is to switch bait types/colors every 20-30 minutes if nothing seems to bite. As always, anglers fishing with 2-3 pound line are catching many more fish than folks using heavier line. If you are afraid of your line breaking, bring a net. Fishing for catfish, bass and bluegill is poor due to cold water temperatures that slow down the activity of 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. With recent heavy rains in Payson, the lake is a bit muddy and that might slow fishing down for awhile. Try small, flashy lures to attract the trout.
STOCKING UPDATES
- All UFP waters in Phoenix area, Tucson area and Payson: Last stocked trout, Dec. 10. Next stocking, trout week of Dec. 22-.27
Visit www.azgfd.gov for updated stocking schedules, fishing clinics, public events, and other great fishing information! Also check out www.azgfd.gov/urbanfishing for new information on the Urban Fishing Program, Weekly Fishing Reports, to get your own copy of this Urban Fishing Bulletin, or submit your email address to get your name on our bi-weekly email distribution list.
