Urban Fishing Bulletin for the weeks of May 11 - 24, 2008
Manager: Eric Swanson (623) 236-7263
Specialist: Joann Hill (623) 236-7268

Catfish stockings going great
All catfish stockings to Phoenix and Tucson area urban lakes were rated excellent on May 3.  Catfish have been biting well ever since.  Warmer pond conditions in Arkansas and stronger, well-fed catfish resulted in all stockings going great.  Park staff and urban fish biologists continue to monitor all lakes and stockings to ensure the best conditions are met for successful fish stockings.  Our fish supplier does an amazing job of hauling fish with great care.  Chaparral Lake and Red Mountain Lake have been cleared for catfish stockings to resume the week of May 12-17.

May 12-17 catfish stocking status
All urban lakes will be stocked with catfish, including Chaparral Lake and Red Mountain Lake.  Planktonic algae levels at Silverbell Lake have severely decreased visibility and elevated pH (9.4) making conditions barely acceptable for continued catfish stockings.  The same pattern occurred in 2007 that resulted in cancelled catfish stockings at Silverbell in April through June.  If pH levels exceed 9.5, biologists will not stock a lake and will reroute the fish to other, nearby urban waters (such as Kennedy and Lakeside).

Urban Program to stay at Water Ranch Lake
At their May 1 meeting, the Gilbert Parks and Recreation Advisory Board chose not to support the catch and release, artificial fly and lure only proposal that would have removed Water Ranch Lake from the popular Urban Fishing Program.  Instead, the Board voted to appoint a task force to examine what fishing program would best serve anglers at the lake and to develop recommendations that address common complaints and perceived problems at the lake.  Eric Swanson, urban fishing program manager, talked about highlights and facts on fishing use at Water Ranch.  He explained the dramatic declines in fishing use, more expensive license requirements and law enforcement demands that would result from the proposed catch and release change.  Citizen supporters of the Urban Fishing Program presented the Board with a petition backed by 75 signatures from urban anglers, and each spoke about their enjoyment of the existing urban program and their concerns about being excluded by the more restrictive proposal. 

Green valley lakes get bonus trout last stocking of summer
More than 1,500 rainbow trout were stocked into Green Valley Lakes 1, 2 and 3 for the May 10 annual Payson Wildlife Fair. Fishing was excellent for the Fair and through the weekend.  There are plenty of trout remaining at this cool getaway in the pines.  Trout over two pounds were included in the delivery.  Best baits for trout include PowerBait, salmon eggs and worms.  Kastmasters, Super Dupers and Rooster Tails are the lures of choice.  Try small plastic or marabou jigs for the crappie, trout or bass.  Due to rising lake temperatures over the rest of May, Green Valley will get no further trout stockings this summer.  The lake contains an abundant population of crappie, bluegill and bass that are fun to catch and provide good fishing all summer long.

Urban Fishing Report
Fishing for catfish is good to excellent with a variety of baits working well on the bottom.  Cats have been biting best mid morning and in the evenings.  The last delivery included some big catfish in the 4- to 6-pound range.  Top catfish baits include stink baits, shrimp or worms fished with a sliding sinker, or no sinker.  All Phoenix and Tucson area urban lakes will be stocked with catfish the week of May 12-17. Bluegill and other sunfish are biting readily at all lakes on meal worms, worms or small doughballs under a small bobber.  At Green Valley lakes (Payson) fishing is excellent for trout particularly after bonus stockings of extra fish for the May 10 Payson Wildlife Fair.  Try PowerBait, worms or salmon eggs for the trout.

Stocking Update:

• Phoenix Area Lakes - Stocked catfish May 3, next stocking, catfish the week of May 12-17.
• Tucson Area Lakes - Stocked catfish May 3, next stocking, catfish the week of May 12-17.
• Green Valley Lakes (Payson) - Stocked trout May 9 (double stocking, last of season). No further trout stockings until mid October.

For more information about the Urban Fishing Program, visit www.azgfd.gov/urbanfishing.

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