Outdoor News Daily

Fish Stockings: All 20 of the Urban Fishing Program lakes in the Tucson and Phoenix areas are scheduled for catfish stockings the week of June 28-July 3. There will be no further stockings until mid September.

SPRING CATFISH STOCKING SEASON ENDS THE WEEK OF JUNE 28-JULY 3
The spring catfish stocking season that includes eight deliveries of fish every other week will conclude the week of June 28-July 3. Every stocking of 14,000 pounds of 14-20 inch channel catfish is delivered to the 20 Urban Fishing Program waters in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.

Warming lake temperatures and air temperatures make it impractical to haul live fish 1,600 miles away from Arkansas to Arizona’s urban lakes and ponds during the heat of the summer. Consequently, there are no scheduled fish stockings for July, August, and the first half of September.

Catfish stockings will resume again in mid-September when lake and air temperatures cool enough to safely transport fish across the hot desert and into the urban waters. Anglers can still fish for catfish, bass and bluegill at urban waters throughout the summer, but the action is generally slower.

FOUR YEAR URBAN FISHING PROGRAM AGREEMENTS APPROVED

On June 25, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission unanimously approved the four year renewal of the Urban Fishing Program and Interagency Agreements with the 11 partnering cities. The agreements ensure all urban fishing operations and stockings will continue to at least July 1, 2014.

Over the past few months, city and town councils have voted to approve funding and management support for the continuance of the highly popular Urban Fishing Program in their communities. The agreements act as partnership contracts that delineate the roles and responsibilities of the Arizona Game and Fish Department and participating municipalities in conducting park, lake and fish management at the 21 Urban Fishing Program locations. The agreements ensure that parks and lakes are operated and maintained, fish stockings contine, fishing laws are enforced, and fishing outreach and promotions are conducted.

Despite state and city agencies being financially strapped in these difficult economic times, it is notable that funding commitments and support by the Game and Fish Department and the 11 participating cities were made to continue operating the top urban fishing program in the nation.

Participation in the Urban Fishing Program has increased 17% in the past two years due to the convenience, affordability and accessibility of this well-managed, high quality fishing opportunity for anglers of all ages and abilities. The over 58,000 urban residents that participate in the program annually generate over $6.8 million to the local economies.

URBAN FISHING REPORT
Fishing for catfish continues to be good to excellent the week of stocking, and is fair after that. Fishing action picks up when the sun goes down and the cats start to roam for food. Top baits in June have been shrimp, mackerel and stink baits fished on the bottom. The final catfish stocking of the spring season will take place the week of June 28-July 3 at all Phoenix and Tucson area Urban waters.

Bass action has been slow but steady with some nice 2-4 pounders being caught and released on 4-inch drop shot worms and small swim baits.

Sunfish continue to bite well on small worms fished under a pencil bobber. In early June, an 8.7 pound, 29-inch channel catfish was caught at Kiwanis Lake in Tempe and is the current leader for Big Fish-of-the-Year honors.

At Green Valley lakes (Payson), anglers are enjoying great action on bluegill, crappie and bass in the early mornings and evenings. Try worms or mealworms fished under a bobber for sunfish, or Senkos for bass at Green Valley

STOCKING SCHEDULE

* All UFP waters in Phoenix area and Tucson area – Last stocked catfish on June 16. Next stocking, Catfish the week of June 28-July 3. (Note: this is the final spring stocking before the summer break.)
* Green Valley Lakes (Payson) – Last stocked trout on May 7. No further stockings until October trout deliveries resume.

To learn more about the Urban Fishing Program, signup for newsletters and more, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/urbanfishing.

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