Urban Fishing Report

Extra large trout from 2-6 pounds were loaded into all lakes on January 13 as part of the annual incentive trout stocking. In addition to lots of big fish, an extra 15% more fish were put into the 21 Urban Fishing Program waters. Anglers fishing Lakeside Lake in Tucson have been scoring some nice trout. Two boat anglers fishing with flies landed a couple 17 inchers, a 19 incher and lost a larger one. Other boaters using spinners and scented bait landed some monsters of 22 and 24 inches. Shore anglers are doing well at other lakes with reports of lots of 14-16 inchers and some real bragging size trout of 19-21 inches. A variety of baits are working on the 12 to 24 inch trout: Power Bait fished off the bottom, worms inflated with a bit of air, minnows, and small spinners such as Roostertails.  Fly fishermen are scoring well using midges, copper johns and simi seal leaches retrieved very slowly. With cold lake temperatures, the bite for catfish, bass and bluegill is slow. Trout fishing is consistently good to excellent at Green Valley lakes in Payson with Power Bait, Super Dupers and Kastmasters working best. Some anglers failed to heed our advice and had some big trout get away because they didn’t have a net. More trout will be stocked the week of January 23-28.

Incentive Trout Stockings Generate Excitement

“They’re all so big!” “Whoa, that ones a monster!” “My name is on that one!” These were just a few of the many excited comments heard by Urban Fishing biologists as the extra-large incentive trout poured out of the stocking trucks at all 21 of the Urban Fishing Program lakes on January 13. The special loads of bigger fish and more fish captured the attention of anglers and other park visitors and sent them scrambling for their cameras, cell phones, fishing poles and landing nets. You can share your photos of your big trout catches on the Game and Fish website, www.azgfd.gov, under Your Photos. Or submit your big catch for 2012 Big Fish-of-the-Year honors (see below).

2012 Urban Fishing Program Guidebooks

The 2012 Urban Fishing Program Guidebooks are now available at over 320 license dealers and Game and Fish offices. The free Guidebooks are chock full of helpful tips and information on urban fishing. There are no changes in urban or statewide license costs or fishing regulations for 2012.

2011 Urban Fishing Big Fish Record Winners

Topping the list of 2011 Urban Fishing Program Big Fish-of-the-Year winners were two catch-and-release fish. Andrew Ryan released a 25 inch channel catfish from Sahuarita Lake. Matthew Johnsons’ 38 inch white amur was returned to Red Mountain Lake. Also notable was Leon Jones’ 5.9 pound rainbow trout caught from Alvord Lake as a result of the January special incentive stocking. There were three double winners sweeping the prizes. Brandon Dugan hauled in a 4.8 lb catfish from Evelyn Hallman Pond and a 3.8 lb largemouth bass from Red Mountain Lake. Another double winner was Steven Schmidt and his catch-and-release 7 inch bluegill and 9 inch trout from Red Mountain. Garrett Laubinger, a perennial winner, recorded a 0.6 lb black crappie and a 0.4 lb yellow bass from Kiwanis Lake. Other winners included Heather Passows’ 0.4 lb bluegill from Kiwanis and T.J. Borowskis’0.3 lb redear sunfish out of Rio Vista Pond.

Lists of 2011 and previous year’s Big Fish-of-the-Year winners can be found at www.azgfd.gov. Information on how to apply for record kept or released fish can be found in the current Urban Fishing Program Guidebook or in the Arizona Fishing Regulations booklet. All winners receive certificates and other prizes.