The final winter trout stockings in the Phoenix and Tucson area Urban lakes will take place the week of March 2-7.  Urban lake water temperatures are rising into the mid 60's signaling the annual stocking changeover from winter trout to spring catfish.  This week’s trout delivery will be the ninth one of the season, concluding a very successful stocking season with our two Colorado contractors.  Trout are stocked into lakes at rates of 60 to 90 fish per lake surface acre.  For Payson’s Green Valley Lakes, trout stockings will continue every two weeks to the middle of May.

All lakes and ponds in the Phoenix and Tucson areas will be stocked with 15-20 inch channel catfish on Thursday, March 19.  Beginning with the season kick-off stocking, catfish will be stocked through June at rates averaging from 40 to 60 fish per acre.  Nearly 14,000 pounds of Arkansas farm-raised catfish will be delivered and stocked into 20 Urban Fishing Program lakes every two weeks by Mr. Fish, our outstanding fish contractor for many years.

Expo Offers Plenty of Outdoor Fun, March 28-29

Bring your family to the free Arizona Game and Fish Outdoor Expo, a fun public event where the entire family can explore numerous activities and demonstrations that include live wildlife displays, camping, fishing, archery, hunting, shooting sports, wildlife conservation, off-highway vehicle riding and boating.  This two-day event will be held Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ben Avery Shooting facility, in northwest Phoenix (Carefree Highway, ½ mile west of I-17, follow the signs).  You and your family can see live wildlife such as hawks, owls and reptiles, observe fishing demonstrations, try out target archery, see off-highway vehicles such as rock crawlers while learning about responsible OHV use, try out shooting sports on the range, view boats on display, and watch the Scholastic Clay Target Program and Archery in the Schools competitions.  Children will get a chance to catch a fish, try rock climbing, archery and youth air gun shooting, learn about wildlife conservation, and see exciting demonstrations by the Cowboy Action Shooters.  Visit with more than 100 outdoor vendors and exhibitors, including sportsmen’s and conservation groups, outdoor retailers, firearm manufacturers, shooting organizations, and biologists and rangers from resource agencies.  There’s something for everyone, and admission and parking are FREE!  For more information, call (623) 236-7222 or visit www.azgfd.gov/expo.

Urban Fishing Report

Good fishing for trout will continue through March as all lakes receive their final stockings the week of March 2-7.  Most trout are falling for Power Bait fished on the bottom.  Other good baits include worms, corn and salmon eggs.  The cool morning hours are the best times to target the trout.  As waters warm up, try fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill that are now moving closer to shore as they prepare to spawn and search for food.  Regulations require that all bass under 13 inches must be released unharmed immediately.  This is a great time of year to fish your nearby park lake for trout, sunfish, bass and catfish.  Reports keep coming in of anglers catching catfish, even though it has been nearly four months since the last cats were stocked.  Speaking of catfish, the catfish stocking season starts on Thursday, March 19 at all Phoenix and Tucson area Urban waters.  Excellent trout fishing conditions can be found at Payson’s Green Valley lakes.  Best bets for these pine country trout are Power Bait, corn and worms.  Some success has been found by anglers using spinners, small spoons and nymph and wet fly patterns.  Crappie are just starting to bite at Green Valley and some good reports are coming in from Silverbell Lake in Tucson.

Stocking Update:

• All UFP waters in Phoenix area, Tucson area and Payson - Last stocked trout Feb. 21. Next stocking, trout week of March 2-7