INCENTIVE TROUT STOCKINGS GENERATE EXCITEMENT
“Did you see that one?"
"Whoa, that’s a monster!"
"That one has my name on it!"
"That’s the biggest trout I’ve ever seen!”
These were just a few of the many excited comments heard by urban fishing biologists as the extra-large incentive trout were delivered to all 21 of the Urban Fishing Program lakes on January 12. 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 and fishing poles.
Future trout stockings will include some 2-5 pounders, but will mostly have 11-12 inchers -- still a nice fish anywhere in Arizona.
2009 URBAN FISHING BIG FISH RECORD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Topping the list of 2009 Urban Program Big Fish-of-the-Year official winners was a 26.9 pound channel catfish caught and kept by Tuy Sayasavanh from Green Valley Lake in Payson. The huge brute is an all-time Urban Fishing Program catfish record.
Two other large catches came from the tiny Papago Park Ponds in Phoenix. A 6.9 pound rainbow trout reeled in by Morris Sevada, and a 19.0 pound common carp kept by Emigdio Hernandez.
But topping this list of big fish in 2009 was an unusual catch, a 33.9 pound bigmouth buffalo caught by Isaias Pineda from Chaparral Lake in Scottsdale.
Other 2009 Big Fish-of-the-Year winners include:
Kept category:
- Bluegill - 0.5 lb., Garrett Laubinger, Kiwanis Lake, Tempe
- White amur - 18.3 lb., Tori Townsend, Kiwanis Lake, Tempe
Released category:
- Largemouth bass - 19 in., Brandon Williams, Steele Indian School Pond, Phoenix
- Rainbow trout - 17 in., Lisa Miller, Surprise Lake, Surprise
Four of the 2009 Urban Program record fish also beat out the Arizona statewide records submitted for the year. Lists of 2009 winners, previous year’s winners, and current 2010 records 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, caps and other prizes.
LARGE FLOODS HALT STOCKINGS AT LAKESIDE LAKE
The large winter storm events of January 19-22 brought heavy urban runoff down Atterbury Wash into Lakeside Lake on Tucson’s southeast side. Turbulent waters carried along lots of sediment and large amount of debris including trees, large branches, and floating trash. The lake spilled over, but left behind a very murky lake with lots of floating material on it. The low water visibility, stirred up lake, and the rapid fall in oxygen levels were enough to warrant a cancellation of trout stockings at Lakeside Lake for the week of January 25-30. All trout intended for Lakeside will be added to the stockings at Kennedy, Sahuarita and Silverbell lakes. Stockings will resume when Lakeside Lake clears up, debris gets cleaned up, and oxygen levels rise again.
URBAN FISHING REPORT
Anglers have been reporting many catches of trout from 2-5 pounds following the annual incentive trout stockings on January 12. More 2-5 pound trout are expected with the January 25-30 stockings. Some 5 and 6 pounders are still eluding urban anglers. More trout are being stocked every two weeks in each of the 21 Urban Fishing Program lakes. Top baits for trout have been Power Bait, corn and worms. Lures such as Panther Martins, Rooster Tails and Kastmasters also work well when fished 5-10 feet deep. Patience continues to be the key, as the trout bite sporadically throughout the day. Anglers continue to enjoy great success catching trout 7-10 days after stockings. Not much going on for catfish, bass or bluegill due to cold water temperatures. Trout fishing is consistently good to excellent at Green Valley lakes in Payson with Power Bait, corn and salmon eggs fished on the bottom working best. Try small, flashy lures to attract the trout.
STOCKING SCHEDULE
- All 21 UFP waters in Phoenix Area, Tucson Area and Payson - Last stocked trout (incentive stocking) Jan. 12. Next stocking, trout the week of Jan. 25-30.