URBAN FISHING BULLETIN
For the weeks of October 18 - 31, 2009
PAYSON TROUT STOCKINGS TO BEGIN AT GREEN VALLEY LAKES OCT. 20
Payson residents and visitors can welcome back the trout to beautiful Green Valley Park on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Over 900 Colorado-grown rainbow trout will be delivered to kick off the trout stocking season that features 11-14 inch rainbow trout delivered every two weeks.
Fall is a wonderful time to visit the rim country, see the colors, and relax and fish along the grassy shorelines of this popular urban fishery just a mile west of Highway 87. The fish stocking program at Green Valley is different from all other Urban Fishing Program waters. Rainbow trout are the only species stocked by the Department during an eight month season that starts in mid October and continues through early May. No catfish, bass or sunfish are stocked at Green Valley, however good populations of bass, crappie and sunfish can be found in these highly productive lakes.
Trout can be caught on small spinners and spoons, by fly fishermen using nymphs or wet flies, and by baits such as scented dough baits, worms or salmon eggs. Remember to use lighter line in the 2-6 pound range, smaller hooks and a minimal amount of weight.
Limits on trout are 4 per day for licensed anglers and 2 trout for children under age 14.
BLUEGILL STOCKINGS COMING WEEK OF OCT 26-31
Catchable size bluegill are delivered twice each year to Urban waters, in the fall and spring. A truckload of 11,000 bluegills will be delivered from Arkansas on the week of Oct. 26-31. Each urban lake will receive from 80-100 fish per lake surface acre. Bluegills are fun to catch for all ages and will bite all day long.
Daily bag limits for sunfish (bluegill, redear sunfish and hybrid sunfish) are 10 fish per person at Urban Lakes and 5 fish per day at Urban Ponds.
2009 BIG FISH-OF-THE-YEAR ENTRIES
We have some impressive entries so far in the Urban Fishing Program 2009 Big Fish-of-the-Year contest. Topping the list is a 26.9 pound channel catfish caught by Tuy Sayasavanh from Green Valley Lake in Payson. This is an “all-time” record and is just five pounds shy of the state record channel cat. A 6.9 pound rainbow trout was caught from Papago Ponds in March by Morris Sevada. The only catch and release entry so far is a 19 inch largemouth bass caught by Emigdio Hernandez from Papago Ponds.
With only two months to go, there are plenty of chances to report your big fish catches in either of two categories: kept or released. Application forms and instructions for the contest are in the current Urban Fishing Program brochure or AZ Fishing Regulation booklet. Updates on the current leaders can be checked out on our web site at www.azgfd.gov/h_f/edits/big_fish.shtml under "urban entries." Each year’s winners receive a certificate, hat and other gifts.
URBAN FISHING REPORT
Catfishing at Urban lakes continues to be good to excellent with fall stockings well underway. Not much change in the top baits for channel cats: shrimp, stink baits and hot dogs. Activity is best in the evening and early morning with cooler temperatures making the cats active during mid-day periods as well.
Bluegill and bass are biting well in the early mornings as they seek to fatten up before winter sets in. The special fall stocking of bluegill is scheduled for the week of Oct. 26-31, so make sure to take the kids, grandkids or a friend. Earthworms, mealworms or a piece of hot dog on a small hook under a small bobber will keep you and the youngsters busy catching bluegill.
The Green Valley Lakes (Payson) will receive their first delivery of rainbow trout on Oct. 20, kicking off an eight month trout stocking season. Fishing should be excellent for the 11-14 inch trout. Best trout baits include Powerbait, small spinners and lures, and worms. Green Valley anglers continue to have success catching bass, bluegill and crappie.
STOCKING SCHEDULE
- All UFP waters in Phoenix area and Tucson area - Last stocked catfish Oct. 9 (second of four fall stockings). Next stocking, catfish the week of Oct. 19-24 and sunfish the week of Oct. 26-31.
- Green Valley Lakes (Payson) - Last stocked trout May 9 (last of spring stockings). Next stocking, trout on Tuesday, Oct. 20 (announced date of trout stocking season’s first delivery).