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Urban Fishing Program Bulletin
Call 1-800-352-0700 to report fishing violations
 

For the weeks of Jan 22 - Feb 4, 2012

 

Note: The Urban Fishing Program does not stock fish from July 4 through mid-September at any of our 21 designated waters. Stockings will resume the week of September 19-24.

NOTICE: Twice each year, the Urban Fishing Program shares with you the specific stocking date. We do this in the fall when we switch from catfish to trout stockings, and again in the spring when we switch back to catfish. For the other stocking dates throughout the year, only the week of stocking is announced to the public (Monday thru Saturday).

 
Seasoned fisherman
Seasoned fisherman (STO)
Additional Urban Fishing pages
- Program Overview
- Program Bulletin
- Regulations
- Program FAQ's
- Fact Sheet
   
 
Manager: Eric Swanson (623) 236-7263
Specialist: Joann Hill (623) 236-7268
 

Been Fishing?

  • Tell us about it. Your comments may be added to the weekly fishing report.

  • Post a picture. If you are successful we would love to see a picture of your catch. You can post it to the Department's photo page at: www.azgfd.gov/photos under the "Fishing" Section.
 

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.

 
Stocking Update
Lakes Last Stocking Week of Next Stocking

All 20 UFP waters in Phoenix area, Tucson area and Payson

Jan 13 trout
(special incentive sizes!)


Trout Week of Jan 23 - 28


 

Remember the Web www.azgfd.gov for updated stocking schedules, fishing clinics, public events, and other great fishing information! Also check out the web 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.

 

 
 
Related AZGFD Info
- Sign up for AZGFD eNews
- Been Fishing?
- Sport Fishing Education
- Buy a License
 
Downloads [More]


Hunting, Trapping & Fishing Regulations, Season Dates & Draw Information

Detailed information on all rules, regulations and seasons

  • AMENDED! 2011-2012 Annual Hunting & Trapping Regulations [PDF, 7mb]

  • 2012 Antelope & Elk Hunt Draw Regulations [PDF, 5mb]

  • New! 2012 Spring Hunt Draw Regulations [PDF]

  • Hunt Permit-Tag Application Form [PDF]
  • New! 2011-2012 Waterfowl & Snipe Regulations [PDF]

  • 2011-2012 Dove & Band-tailed Pigeon Regs [PDF]

  • 2011 Sandhill Crane Regulations [PDF]

  • Hunt Arizona 2011: Survey, Harvest and Draw Data
    [PDF, 7.8MB]


  • 2012 Urban Fishing Guidebook and Regulations
    [PDF, 11mb]
  • 2011 & 2012 Amphibian and Reptile Regulations [PDF]

  • 2011-12 Raptor Regulations [PDF]
  • Arizona Residency Requirements [PDF]
NOTE: The above files are PDF's and require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Urban Fishing Arizona


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