Urban Fishing Report

Rainbow trout stocking is in full swing in all Urban Fishing Program waters in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, as well as Green Valley Lakes in Payson. Stocking will continue throughout the winter at two-week intervals. Trout sizes typically range from 11-12 inches long, with some as large as 16 inches long.

Fishing is good to excellent for anglers using scented dough baits such as Power Bait, worms, marshmallows or corn on the bottom. Tip: anglers using 2- to 4-pound test line are reporting two to three times more bites than anglers using 8- to 12-pound line. Small spinners such as Rooster tails and Panther Martins, or spoons such as Kastmasters and Super Dupers work well for trout. The morning bite is best, but trout are biting sporadically throughout the day. When the bite is on, anglers are catching limits within an hour or two.

Action for catfish, bluegill and bass has slowed due to colder water temperatures. Trout fishing is good to excellent at Green Valley lakes in Payson where Power Bait, worms, small spoons and jigs are working best.

Urban Fishing Program waters in Phoenix and Tucson areas were stocked with trout on Dec. 10 and 14. Trout stocking for the Green Valley Lakes in Payson took place on Dec. 14. The next trout stocking for all of these waters is scheduled for the week of Dec. 24-29.

2013 Urban Fishing Program Guidebooks are now available

Copies of the 2013 Urban Fishing Program Guidebook are now available, and free, at all Game and Fish Department offices, and at more than 320 sporting goods and retail license dealers statewide. Parks and recreation offices and centers may also have copies. Be sure to pick up your free copy of the guidebook and an extra copy to share with a friend. These high-quality guidebooks are designed to help anglers of all ages and abilities find out where to fish, when to fish, how to fish, what to fish with, and more. The 2013 Urban Fishing Program Guidebook features useful information, including:

• The 2013 weekly fish stocking calendar in the inside cover;
• License requirements and details about how the Urban Fishing Program works;
• Lake and park maps with family-friendly park amenities; and
• Fishing tips and a fishing equipment checklist.

2013 Fishing licenses make great gifts for friends and family

In the midst of the holiday rush, don’t forget to buy your 2013 Class U (Urban) fishing license for the New Year. Urban fishing licenses are on sale for $18.50 at more than 320 license dealers statewide, any Game and Fish office, or online at http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/licenses.shtml. The Class U license is valid only at the 21 designated Urban Fishing Program waters and is good for all fish species (including trout). For the simplicity of just one fishing license that covers all waters in the state, the Class L, Super Conservation Fishing license is the way to go. At $53 for residents and only $63 for non-residents, this super-license includes the state fishing license, trout stamp and urban license—all in one package deal. Fishing licenses are great gifts for close friends and family, but you must know the personal information required for the license. All anglers age 14 and older must purchase a license to fish in Arizona.

Remember the web! Visit us online at www.azgfd.gov for updated stocking schedules, Weekly Fishing Reports, the Fish & Boat Arizona web map, an outdoor events calendar, and other outdoor information. Anglers are invited to post their fishing photos and their own fishing reports on the Arizona Game and Fish website. We are also on Facebook.