URBAN FISHING BULLETIN
For the weeks of November 1-14, 2009

CATFISH SEASON TO END, TROUT STOCKINGS START NOVEMBER 16
The fall catfish stocking season wraps up the week of November 2-7 with another 14,000 pounds of fish delivered to the 20 Urban Fishing Program waters in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.  Starting in a couple weeks, fish stocking trucks change from delivering channel catfish to rainbow trout.  Lake temperatures are within five degrees of the 65 degree target for trout.  The winter trout stocking season is scheduled to begin Monday, November 16.  Trout ranging from 10-12 inches will be stocked at two-week intervals throughout the winter.  Over 100,000 trout from Colorado have been ordered for delivery to Urban waters during the four month stocking season.  With the colder temperatures at Payson’s Green Valley Lakes, trout stockings already started on October 20 and will continue every other week for the next eight months at this forest location.

LAKES RECEIVE SUNFISH STOCKINGS, BASS COMING SOON
Urban waters were stocked with 5-6 inch bluegill sunfish on October 28-29.  Bluegills are stocked twice a year (fall and spring) to provide fishing fun for kids and families.  Fish sizes ran on the smaller side this last delivery, but our productive lakes should support rapid growth.  A truckload of over 22,000 fish were delivered from Arkansas, with each lake receiving 110-160 fish per surface acre.  Some of the bluegills are expected to last until the spring when they will reproduce in the lakes and provide more fish for the future.  Sunfish will bite all day long for anglers using small pieces of worms or mealworms on small hooks fished under a thin bobber and 2-4 lb. leaders.  Daily bag limits for bluegill/sunfish are 10 fish per person at Urban Lakes and 5 fish per day at Urban Ponds.

The annual stocking of largemouth bass is scheduled to occur in November with over 8,000 fish on order.  Bass will be from 6-9 inches in length—below the 13-inch minimum legal size.  Younger bass are stocked to help rebuild the resident bass populations in our lakes.  They are not stocked for anglers to catch and keep like catfish, bluegill or trout.  Regulations require that anglers carefully release these juvenile bass unharmed back into the water so they can grow to catchable size in the future.

2009 URBAN FISHING LICENSES 50% OFF SALE
If you recently found out about the great fishing in the urban lakes and the start of the trout stocking season, we have a deal for you.  The 2009 Class U, Urban Fishing, license is now 50% off for the last two months of the year.  Stop by a Game and Fish office or any of our sporting goods or retail license dealers and ask for your 2009 discount Urban license for $9.25.  Fishing is excellent this time of year at all Urban Program lakes for trout, bluegill and catfish.

URBAN FISHING REPORT
The month of November offers some of the best fishing available at Urban Program lakes.  The lakes have been loaded with catfish all fall with one last stocking the week of Nov. 2-7.  Stockings of bluegill sunfish took place October 28-29 at all lakes.  The first trout delivery for the winter season begins November 16.  Finally, juvenile largemouth bass under the 13-inch legal length are being stocked during November. 

Top baits for catfish are shrimp, stink baits and hot dogs with fish biting throughout the day.  Bluegill are biting well on a variety of baits (mealworms, bread, hot dogs) and are ready to take wet flies in the late mornings and afternoon.  Using light tackle with small hooks and bobbers will keep you and the kids busy catching bluegill.  The Green Valley Lakes (Payson) were stocked with rainbow trout on October 20, kicking off an eight month stocking season.  Fishing is excellent for the 11-14 inch trout.  Best trout baits include Powerbait, worms and small spinners and lures.

STOCKING SCHEDULE

• All UFP waters in Phoenix area and Tucson area - Last stocked catfish Oct. 22, bluegill Oct. 28-29. Next stocking, catfish the week of November 2-7 and bass in Nov.
• Green Valley Lakes (Payson) - Last stocked trout Oct. 20 (season opening). Next stocking, trout the week of Nov. 2-7.