Arizona Trout Season Kicks Off Nov. 17
OutdoorHub 11.16.11
The scheduled date for the first trout delivery of the winter season is Thursday, Nov. 17 for all lakes in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.
Trout averaging from 11- to 12-inches long will be stocked at rates of 80- to 100-fish per lake surface acre. Fish deliveries will occur throughout the day starting from early morning well into the afternoon. Trout stockings will continue at two-week intervals throughout the next four months. More than 12,000 trout from two Colorado trout producers will be delivered to all 21 waters in one day.
With the colder temperatures at Payson’s Green Valley Lakes, trout stockings already started in October and will continue every other week.
Remember, daily bag and possession limits for trout at Urban Lakes are four fish per person for licensed anglers and two fish for unlicensed juveniles under the age of 14. Trout limits at Urban Ponds are two fish for licensed anglers and one fish for youth.
NOTE: Twice each year, the Urban Fishing Program shares with you the specific stocking date. We do this in the fall when we switch from catfish to trout stockings, and again in the spring when we switch back to catfish. For the other stocking dates throughout the year, only the week of stocking is announced to the public (Monday thru Saturday).
2011 Urban Fishing Licenses 50-percent off Sale
If you want to get in on the great fishing in the urban lakes and the start of the trout stocking season, we have a deal for you. The 2011 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 2011 discount Urban Fishing license for $9.25. Fishing is excellent this time of year at all Urban Program lakes for trout, bluegill and catfish.
End of Year Reminders
- Time is running out to submit your big fish catches for the 2011 Fish-of-the-Year contest. With barely a month to go, there are still 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 guidebook or AZ Fishing Regulation booklet. Updates on the current leaders can be checked out on our web site at www.azgfd.gov. Each year’s winners receive a certificate, hat and other gifts.
- All 2012 Fishing Licenses are available for sale at all license dealers, or online, if you want to get one early or purchase one as a gift for someone this holiday season. License prices are still $18.50 for the Class U Urban Fishing license or $53.00 for the Class L Super Fishing Conservation resident license that covers Urban Fishing, Statewide Fishing and Trout Stamp privileges.
Urban Fishing Report
November fishing is excellent at Urban Program lakes with catfish, bluegill, bass and rainbow trout stockings all taking place in recent weeks.
The rainbow trout stocking season is scheduled to begin Thursday, Nov.17 at all Urban Fishing Program waters. Trout fishing should be good to excellent for anglers using scented dough baits (such as Power Bait), worms or small trout lures.
Winter trout stockings will continue every two weeks from November to March. All lakes were recently stocked with bluegill and action is good for these feisty fighters.
Catfish action is fair to good after four successful fall stockings have loaded up the lakes.
Trout fishing is good to excellent at Green Valley lakes in Payson with some 2-3 pounders caught. Best action for trout is coming on Power Bait, salmon eggs, worms and small spinners and lures.
Stocking Schedule
Phoenix & Tucson area Urban Waters
- Last stocking — Nov. 4, catfish
Next stocking — Nov. 17, trout
Green Valley
- Last stocking — Nov. 4
