Urban Fishing Bulletin: For the weeks of Dec. 27, 2009 – Jan. 9, 2010
Program celebrates 25th anniversary
New! 2010 URBAN FISHING PROGRAM GUIDEBOOK
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Urban Fishing Program in 2010, a special edition Guidebook has been created. The 2010 Guidebooks are now available for free from Game and Fish Department offices or any of our sporting goods or retail license dealers. The attractive, high quality books were designed to make it easier for anglers of all ages and abilities to figure out what the regulations are, where to fish, when to fish, how to fish, what to fish with, and much more.
Major features of the new Guidebook include: a 2010 fish stocking calendar; how the Urban Fishing Program works; fishing regulations at a glance; timeline of significant Program events over the past 25 years; all new lake and park maps; listings of family-friendly park amenities; a fishing tips section; and a fishing equipment checklist showing you what you need to get started.
So pick up a Guidebook, grab an extra one to pass on to a friend, and go urban fishing!
INCENTIVE TROUT STOCKINGS SCHEDULED JANUARY 11-16
To kick off the New Year in a big way, the Urban Fishing Program will be stocking incentive size trout at all Program waters during the week of January 11-16. Incentive stockings include many trout from 13-18 inches, and some even larger going three or more pounds. On average, one in every three trout is a whopper over 13 inches with the remaining fish ranging from 11-12 inches. So plan ahead now to get your 2010 Urban fishing license and don’t forget to bring along a landing net to help lift that lunker trout up and out of the lake.
ONGOING BATTLE AGAINST GOLDEN ALGA CONTINUES
The troublesome golden alga, that has found its way into six Phoenix area urban lakes since 2005, flared up at Cortez Lake in mid December. Immediately following a positive test for golden alga, Cortez Lake was treated with an algaecide. Days later a dramatic drop in oxygen led to trout, sunfish and catfish swimming desperately below the surface seeking more oxygen. The lake is being monitored and fish are expected to recover. Winter is the time of year that blooms of this toxin-producing alga tend to occur. Look for a brownish water color and fish moving slowly in the shallows or near the surface. Urban Fishing Program biologists, together with park staff and lake consultants, are routinely monitoring the lakes and collecting water samples to test for this unwanted, microscopic alga. To report any suspicious observations of fish behavior or lake conditions that may be caused by golden alga, immediately notify local park staff and then contact the Department at 623-236-7268. Lake managers have had good success in battling golden alga blooms with algaecides, especially if it is detected quickly and treated immediately. Please remember to CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY all fishing tackle and equipment before moving to another lake or water.
URBAN FISHING REPORT
Cold temperatures, lots of stockings, and the annual incentive stocking of bonus size rainbow trout the week of January 11-16 means great fishing conditions at all 21 Urban lake locations. Rainbow trout range in size from 11-12 inches in length, but the incentive stockings will include many trout from 1 to 3 pounds. Best bets for trout are Power Bait, worms and salmon eggs. Try small, flashy lures to attract the trout in the early morning. A 6.6 pound rainbow trout was recently caught on a worm from Surprise Lake. Not much going on for catfish, bass or bluegill due to cold water temperatures that slow down these warm water species. At Green Valley lakes (Payson) fishing is good to excellent for trout. Trout are biting best on Power Bait fished off the bottom and worms fished under a bobber.
STOCKING UPDATES
- All 21 UFP waters in Phoenix Area, Tucson Area and Payson - Last stocked trout December 16 & 18. Next stocking, trout the week of Dec. 28 – Jan. 2.