Super-sized trout from 2-4 pounds were loaded into all lakes on January 11 and 12 as part of the annual incentive trout stocking. In addition to lots of big fish, an extra 20% more fish were put into the 20 Urban Fishing Program waters. Anglers are doing well at all lakes with reports of many 14-16 inchers and some real bragging size trout over 18 inches. A variety of baits are working on the lunker trout: Power Bait fished off the bottom, worms inflated with a bit of air, minnows, and small spinners such as Roostertails dredged along the bottom.  Fly fishermen are scoring well using midges, copper johns and simi seal leaches retrieved very slowly. With cold lake temperatures, the bite for catfish, bass and bluegill is slow. Trout fishing is consistently good at Green Valley lakes in Payson with Power Bait, Super Dupers and Kastmasters working best. More trout will be stocked the week of January 21-26.



Incentive Trout Stockings Generate Excitement

“They’re all so big!” “Whoa, that ones a monster!” “My name is on that one!” These were just a few of the many excited comments heard by Urban Fishing biologists as the extra-large incentive trout poured out of the stocking trucks at all 20 of the Urban Fishing Program lakes on January 11 and 12. The annual incentive trout stocking event Friday and Saturday proved to be a “super-sized” success thanks to the hard working crews from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. 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, fishing poles and landing nets. The monster trout provided plenty of excitement, formed the basis for many fishing tales, and created many memorable moments for anglers of all ages. You can share your photos of your big trout catches on the Game and Fish website, www.azgfd.gov, under Your Photos. Or submit your big catch for  2013 Big Fish-of-the-Year honors (see below).



2012 Urban Fishing Big Fish Record Winners

Topping the list of the 2012 Urban Fishing Program's Big Fish-of-the-Year winners were the following:

• Shawn Baker’s 9.1 pound largemouth bass caught on a drop shot rig from Kiwanis Lake. This monster bass is the third largest bass recorded from an urban lake since record keeping started in 2000.
  
• John Howard recorded a whopping 8.9 pound channel catfish from Red Mountain Lake.
  
• Other notable catches that are new all-time urban fishing records are young Justin LaGrange’s 2.6 pound redear sunfish from Cortez Lake.
• Robert Laubinger’s 5.3 pound tilapia hauled from Kiwanis Lake.
  
• The largest fish of 2012 was a 40 inch white amur (a weed eating carp) caught and released at Green Valley Lakes by Tim Nichols.

Lists of 2012 and previous year’s Big Fish-of-the-Year winners can be found at http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/edits/big_fish.shtml. 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 and other prizes.