TWO BIG FISHING EVENTS TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDARS
February 27 - March 1 (Friday to Sunday) INTERNATIONAL SPORTSMEN’S EXPO. Hours are 10:00am to 7:00pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10:00am to 5:00pm Sunday at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale (Glendale Avenue and Hwy 101). The 9th annual International Sportsmen’s Exposition is Arizona’s largest fishing, hunting and outdoor travel event. General admission is $15 for adults, $7 for teens and free for children 12 years and under. Parking is free with paid admission. Don’t miss your once-a-year chance to celebrate the outdoors with family and friends, capture show-priced bargains, and meet with guides, outfitters and experts from nearby and around the world. See the newest hunting, fishing and outdoor equipment, find out about places to hunt and fish, hear from many outdoor experts during seminars throughout each day, and watch the experts test their skills in competitions. Kids will have a blast participating in fishing and shooting sports at the Youth Outdoor Sports Fair, presented by the Game and Fish Department. For more information, go to www.sportsexpos.com
March 28-29 (Saturday to Sunday) ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT'S OUTDOOR EXPO. 9:00am to 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in northwest Phoenix (Carefree Highway, ½ mile west of I-17). Sponsored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, this free Expo is full of fun activities and exhibits about the great outdoors. Bring your family and friends along to find out how to get started in new outdoor activities or improve your skills in sports you already enjoy. Throughout each day there will be activities, demonstrations and exhibits in the areas of fishing, hunting, recreational shooting, archery, off-highway vehicles and watercraft recreation, camping, wildlife education and more. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call (623) 236-7222 or go to www.azgfd.gov
GAME AND FISH WEBSITE LOADED WITH FISHING INFO
If you haven’t visited and probed the Game and Fish Web site recently, you’ve been missing out on some great fishing stuff. In addition to weekly fishing reports, stocking schedules, Big fish-of-the-Year and 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 or to simply 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.
URBAN FISHING REPORT
Trout fishing continues to be the best bet at Urban Program waters with conditions good to excellent. Most trout are falling for Power Bait fished 15-25 inches off the bottom. Other baits that are producing good catches are worms, corn and salmon eggs. Anglers using 4-pound and lighter line and paying special attention to the finer details of leader length, covering up small hooks with bait, and using small sinkers have experienced the best catch rates for trout. Lures such as Panther Martins, Rooster Tails and Kastmasters also work well when fished 5-10 feet deep. Trout seem to bite on their own schedule, so anglers that remain patient for a couple hours will be rewarded. Not much happening for catfish, bass or bluegill, but with warming temperatures, action for these species will be picking up quickly over the next couple weeks. Trout fishing is consistently good to excellent at Green Valley lakes in Payson with Power Bait, corn and worms working best. Local anglers are enjoying some terrific fishing for 14-16 inchers. Also, try small, flashy lures to attract the trout.
STOCKING UPDATES
- All UFP waters in Phoenix area, Tucson area and Payson - Last stocked trout Feb. 5 and 7 trout. Next stocking, trout the week of Feb. 16-21.
Remember to visit www.azgfd.gov for updated stocking schedules, fishing blog, weekly fishing reports, where to fish, public events, and other great fishing information! Also check out the web for new information on the Urban Fishing Program, send us your photos and fishing reports, or submit your email address to get your name on our email distribution list for up to eight different newsletters/reports.