100,000 rainbow trout heading to urban lakes starting Nov. 17

PHOENIX – Get your trout fishing gear ready because starting Nov. 17 more than 100,000 rainbow trout will be heading to Arizona’s Urban Program lakes during the four-month winter stocking program.

“This is a fantastic time to fish our popular urban lakes,” said Eric Swanson, urban fisheries program manager. “We are just finishing up our channel catfish stockings, so they are still plentiful for anglers. Plus we recently stocked thousands of bluegills and largemouth bass as well.”

Swanson said the trout, which Arizona imports from Colorado, range from 10 to 14 inches long. “As we have seen in years past, these are really some quality rainbows for the anglers to catch at any of our 21 urban lakes.”

Remember that if you don’t already have a 2010 urban fishing license, they are on sale at half price – it’s just $9.25 whether you are a resident or nonresident. You can even purchase a license online at www.azgfd.gov or at any license dealer in the state (sporting goods stores, Wal-marts etc.).