LAKE STATUS AND RAINFALL EFFECTS ON FISHING

Recent water quality test results from 20 out of 21 Urban Fishing Program waters were in the good to excellent range, meaning that all lakes are approved for fish stocking. Recent weather events brought large amounts of runoff into some lakes. For many lakes, the fresh water helped to improve oxygen levels and lower the pH levels making for better fishing conditions.

However, a few lakes became more turbid from suspended soil sediments brought in from runoff or muddy water from the canals. Green Valley Lakes in Payson and Lakeside Lake in Tucson each experienced a high amount of runoff from large urban watersheds. Both of these lakes spilled over large amounts of water and remain very murky from all the suspended clay and silt. Trout stockings at Lakeside Lake have been cancelled from January 22 through February 20 due to low oxygen levels, low visibility and floating debris.

All of Lakeside’s trout are being distributed as extras to Kennedy, Silverbell and Sahuarita Lakes. At Green Valley Lakes, trout stockings have continued, however anglers have noted that murky waters are making it difficult for the sight feeding trout to find their baits.

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 to brave the weather are rewarded with good action and little competition.

Anglers using scented dough baits (such as PowerBait), worms fished under a bobber, corn on the bottom, or small trout lures have been successful. 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.

Best times to fish for trout generally are early morning, but some anglers have reported excellent fishing late afternoon.

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. Lakeside Lake will not be stocked for another two weeks, so anglers are advised to try Kennedy, Silverbell or Sahuarita Lakes that are each getting some of the extra fish. Trout continue to be stocked at Green Valley Lakes, but until the water clears up a bit more, the fishing is expected to remain slow.

GAME AND FISH WEB SITE LOADED WITH FISHING INFO
If you haven’t visited the Game and Fish Web site recently, you’ve been missing out on some great fishing information. In addition to weekly fishing reports, stocking schedules, big fish-of-the-year, state records, and newsletters, there is much more to be found. An interactive fishing map can be used to guide you to lakes and streams all over the state and let you know what you can catch there. A fishing blog provides a forum for interactive fish talk. Fishing photos can be submitted to show off your latest catch or to brag on your kids. A "Send Comments" section allows you to ask a department biologist a question. E-mail bfishing@azgfd.gov to submit your own fishing report on your last outing. And don’t forget to check out the Outdoor Calendar for great ideas for things to do across Arizona. All of this and more can be found at www.azgfd.gov.

TROUT SEASON “FOURTH QUARTER”
During the 18-week winter trout stocking season from mid-November to mid-March, nine deliveries of trout are made to each of the urban lakes in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. The February 8-13 scheduled fish stocking represents the 7th trout stocking of the season. After that, there are two more stockings of trout before fish deliveries shift to channel catfish in mid-March.

So, enjoy the cool weather, the relaxing atmosphere of the parks, and good fishing as we enter the fourth quarter of the trout stocking season.

STOCKING SCHEDULE

All 21 UFP waters in Phoenix Area, Tucson Area and Payson - Last stocked trout, Jan. 25. Next stocking, trout, the week of Feb. 8-13.