Arizona urban fishing program

              Programa de Pesca Deportiva en las Ciudades
(ver página 12 para resúmen en Español)
A cooperative program between the
Arizona Game and Fish Department and the cities
of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Payson, Peoria, Phoenix,
Sahuarita, Scottsdale, Surprise, Tempe, and Tucson
What It Is • What You Need
Where To Go • What To Catch
Arizona Game and Fish Department
2005
URBAN FISHING
PROGRAM
20th Anniversary Year
Arizona’s Urban Fishing Program
A cooperative program between the Arizona Game and Fish
Department and the cities of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Payson,
Peoria, Phoenix, Sahuarita, Scottsdale, Surprise, Tempe, and
Tucson.
Arizona’s Urban Fishing Program officially began in 1985. One of its
goals is to provide nearby fishing opportunities to city dwellers as a
more convenient alternative to long-distance travel to lakes outside of
town. Of equal importance is its goal of providing fishing education op-portunities
to urban residents. Workshops on equipment selection, fishing
techniques and outdoor ethics are offered to a wide range of groups (see
page 45 for more information).
The Urban Fishing Program concept is simple, if people can’t get to
the fish, we bring fish to the people. By partnering with city parks, the
Arizona Game and Fish Department can bring in healthy, catchable fish
into your neighborhood park lake. Lakes are stocked every two weeks
from September to July with trout deliveries from November to March
and catfish stockings from March to early July, then from mid Septem-ber
to November.
For more information on current stocking updates and fishing reports
on Urban Fishing Program waters, use the Game and Fish Web page at
azgfd.gov. This Web site includes weekly stocking schedules, the current
Urban Fishing Program Bulletin, fishing reports and Urban Fish-of-the-
Year records. The Urban Fishing Bulletin (a report on what is happening at
program lakes, when lakes were last stocked, and what fish are biting on),
is prepared every two weeks and sent to each participating lake manager
for posting at their lake. To get your own Bulletin, go to azgfd.gov and
click on AZGFD eNews.
Green Valley Lake, Payson
INDEX
Urban Fishing Program Overview ............................................. 1
Changes Since Last Year ................................................................... 2
Questions And Answers ..................................................................... 4
Urban Fish-of-the-Year Records ...................................................... 7
Urban Angler’s Code of Ethics .......................................................... 9
Urban Fishing Regulations, At A Glance ..................................... 10
Reglamentos ...................................................................................... 12
Big Fish-of-the-Year Program ........................................................ 14
Releasing And Caring For Your Catch .......................................... 16
Tucson Area Urban Lakes Map ....................................................... 17
City of Tucson
Kennedy Lake ................................................................................... 18
Lakeside Lake ................................................................................... 19
Silverbell Lake ................................................................................. 20
Town of Sahuarita
Sahuarita Lake .................................................................................. 21
Metro Phoenix Area Urban Lakes Map ........................................ 22
City of Chandler
Desert Breeze Lake ........................................................................... 24
Town of Gilbert
Water Ranch Lake ............................................................................. 25
City of Mesa
Red Mountain Lake .......................................................................... 26
Riverview Lake ................................................................................. 27
City of Peoria
Rio Vista Pond ................................................................................. 28
City of Phoenix
Alvord Lake (Cesar Chavez Park) ..................................................... 29
Cortez Lake ...................................................................................... 30
Desert West Lake .............................................................................. 31
Encanto Lake .................................................................................... 32
Papago Ponds .................................................................................. 33
Steele Indian School Park Pond ...................................................... 34
City of Scottsdale
Chaparral Lake ................................................................................. 35
City of Surprise
Surprise Lake ................................................................................... 36
City of Tempe
Canal Pond ...................................................................................... 37
Kiwanis Lake .................................................................................... 38
Town of Payson
Green Valley Lakes ........................................................................... 39
Urban Fish Species ........................................................................... 40
Reporting Violators ........................................................................... 44
Sportfishing Education Program .................................................... 45
— 1 —
Why Make Changes to
the 2005 Regulations?
Two significant changes were made to the Urban Fishing Program regu-lations
this year, 1) establishment of an Urban Pond management concept
at four ponds with changes in stocking and bag limits, and 2) reduction
of largemouth bass bag limits.
About the Urban Pond concept
The Urban Pond management concept was developed to provide a qual-ity
fishing experience at small fishing waters less than three acres. In
recent years, cities with smaller lakes or ponds have asked to become
part of the Urban Fishing Program. Ponds that will be managed under
the Urban Pond concept include Canal Pond (Tempe), Papago Ponds
#1-3, Rio Vista Pond (Peoria), and Steele Indian School Pond. Urban
Ponds will be stocked just as frequently as Urban Lakes (20-24 times
per year at two week intervals), however they will be stocked at a lower
rate of 20-30 catfish per acre or 40-50 trout per acre. The daily bag
and possession limits for stocked fish is reduced to 2 trout, 2
catfish, 1 bass (minimum size 13 inches), and 5 sunfish. These
management changes were made to reduce the rapid harvest of fish after
each stocking, decrease the crowding impacts, allow for fair distribution
of fish caught by more anglers, and encourage anglers to focus more on
the recreational benefits of fishing while still allowing for a couple fish to
be kept.
Reducing bass limits
Daily bag and possession limits for largemouth bass have been
reduced from 4 fish to 2 fish at all Urban Lakes. Minimum length
required to keep a bass remains at 13 inches. All bass caught less
than 13 inches must be immediately released unharmed. The
largemouth bass is a highly prized fish by many anglers. Many urban
bass anglers voluntarily practice catch and release of all bass caught,
however others keep all they can. For most urban lakes, extra bass stock-ings
are done only once every three years. Over the past 10 years, the
Urban Fishing Program has added additional fish habitat into 10 Urban
Lakes to encourage improved spawning and growth of bass populations.
In spite of habitat improvements and extra stockings, bass populations
have declined at nearly all urban lakes due to high harvest by anglers.
The reduced bag limits on bass are necessary to reduce harvest of this
limited, prized fish. Anglers are encouraged to practice catch and release
of all largemouth bass.
All 20 lakes in this brochure are specifically desig-nated
Urban Fishing Program lakes that require a
$16 Class U fishing license for anglers 14 years of
age or older.
Changes Since Last Year
1. Added Rio Vista Pond (City of Peoria) and Steele Indian
School Park Pond (City of Phoenix). The 2.7-acre Rio Vista
Pond was added to the Urban Fishing Program in March 2004 (see
page 28). The 2.5-acre Steele Indian School Pond was added in Janu-ary
1, 2005 (see page 34). Both ponds have been stocked with bass,
sunfish, catfish and carp. Both the Rio Vista and Steele Indian School
Park Ponds will be managed under the new Urban Pond concept.
2. Reduced bag limits for largemouth bass. Effective Janu-ary
1, 2005, the daily bag and possession limits for largemouth
bass at all Urban Fishing Program Lakes are reduced from 4
bass to 2 bass, minimum size 13 inches. See page 11 for more
details.
3. New Urban Pond management concept for all ponds less
than 3 acres. Beginning January 1, 2005, the following Urban
waters will be managed under the Urban Pond concept: Canal
Pond (Tempe), Papago Ponds 1-3 (Phoenix), Rio Vista Pond
(Peoria), and Steele Indian School Park Pond (Phoenix). These
smaller, heavily impacted ponds, will receive bi-weekly fish
stockings at reduced rates, and will have reduced bag limits for
all popular sport fish. See page 3 for more details.
4. Lakes under construction. A major shoreline renovation and
leakage control project is scheduled by the City of Scottsdale at
Chaparral Lake from November 2004 to April 2005. During con-struction
the lake will be partially lowered and the lake will be
closed to all fishing. The next phase of shoreline stabilization
and angler access projects at Canal Pond, Surprise Lake, and
Papago Ponds will continue through 2005. Construction activi-ties
may require lowering of lake levels and may affect scheduled
fish stockings.
5. 2005 Angler Creel Study. Throughout 2005 Arizona Game and
Fish biologists will be conducting angler interviews at all 20 Ur-ban
Fishing Program waters. Biologists will be asking questions
and collecting data that will be used to determine current levels of
use and satisfaction. Surveys are conducted every five years to
evaluate trends, adjust stocking and management strategies, and
meet with anglers.
— 2 — — 3 —
publicized, however the week of stocking is shared with the public.
This gives everyone an equal opportunity to take advantage of the
stocked fish and emphasizes the sporting aspects of fishing. It also
assists in reducing crowding and other associated impacts on stock-ing
days. On stocking weeks, fish stockings may occur from Monday
through Saturday with days randomly determined.
Q: How many fish does each lake get?
A: Designated Urban Fishing Program lakes are stocked on a surface-acre
basis. For each surface acre, a lake receives from 80 to 110
pounds of catfish or 35 pounds of trout per stocking. On average,
that equates to 50 catfish or 80 trout stocked per acre. The four
waters under the Urban Pond management concept are also stocked
every two weeks, but at rates of 30 catfish or 50 trout stocked per
acre. With stockings occurring every two weeks at Urban Lakes and
Urban Ponds, most lakes get 24 stockings per year.
Q: What is the limit at Urban Lakes and Urban Ponds?
A: For Urban Lakes, the daily bag and possession limit is 4 trout, 4
catfish, 2 largemouth bass of 13 inches or more, 10 sunfish, and
one white amur of 30 inches or more. Statewide limits apply to all
other fish species. For waters managed under the Urban Pond con-cept,
the limits are 2 trout, 2 catfish, 1 largemouth bass of 13 inches
or more, 5 sunfish, and one white amur of 30 inches or more. For
unlicensed juveniles under the age of 14, they may take the same
limits of fish as a licensed angler with the exception of trout, where
the daily limit is 1/2 the established limit.
Q: Can I fish with two poles at an Urban Program waters?
A: Urban anglers may fish with two poles providing they have a valid
Two Pole Stamp in their possession and it is affixed to either their
current Urban Fishing License or state fishing license. Two Pole
Stamps cost $4 and can be obtained from any license dealer or
department office.
Q: Are any big fish stocked in these Urban Program waters?
A: Yes! The ratio is about one big fish for every 20 stocked, so several
lucky anglers may take home bragging-sized fish from each stock-ing,
which could mean a 3-6 pound catfish or a 2-3 pound trout.
However, remember that these fish are bought by the pound (catfish
average over 1 1/2 pounds each, trout average over 1/3 pound each).
This means that as more lunkers are stocked, the total number of
fish stocked drops. So by stocking more “keeper-sized” fish, every-one
has a better chance of catching fish.
Urban Fishing Program FAQ’s
Answers to your questions
Q: What lakes are included in the Urban Fishing Program?
A: Currently, there are 20 lakes that are specially designated Urban
Fishing Program waters. A listing of lakes by city can be found in
the index. Locations of all 15 metropolitan Phoenix urban waters
can be found on pages 22-23. A map of the four Tucson area urban
lakes is on page 17. Green Valley Lake is located in Payson. Two
new lakes have joined the Urban Fishing Program in the past year
and will be managed under the new Urban Pond concept, Rio Vista
Pond in Peoria and Steele Indian School Park Pond in Phoenix.
Q: What kind of license do I need to fish these designated Ur-ban
Fishing Program waters and where can I purchase one?
A: If you are 14 years of age or older, you must buy a $16 Class U
Urban Fishing license (rates are the same whether a resident or non-resident).
The Class U license covers all fish species found in the
designated Urban Fishing Program lakes and ponds. Juveniles un-der
the age of 14 do not need a license. Other licenses that are valid
at designated Urban Fishing Program waters are: Class D resident
or non-resident one-day fishing licenses; resident youth-group two-day
fishing licenses (sold to groups of up to 20 juveniles age 14-17);
and Pioneer and disabled veteran complimentary licenses. Urban
and one day fishing licenses can be purchased from any of 340
dealers statewide that sells state fishing and hunting licenses or
any Game and Fish office. In addition, all fishing licenses can be
purchased from our Web site at azgfd.gov. A regular Arizona fishing
license (Class A, B, C, F or I) is not needed nor valid at the desig-nated
Urban Fishing Program waters.
Q: What types of fish are in the Urban Program waters?
A: Catchable rainbow trout are stocked during the winter months (No-vember
through March) and channel catfish are stocked in the spring/
summer/fall months (March to July and September to November).
Additionally, hybrid sunfish are stocked three times per year into
the lakes. Bluegill and other sunfish species are common and occa-sional
catches of largemouth bass are reported. Other species of
fish (not regularly stocked) that may occur in these lakes include
carp, white amur, tilapia, and crappie.
Q: When are designated Urban Fishing Program waters
stocked?
A: Most lakes are stocked every two weeks from September to July.
Due to extremely high lake temperatures, there are no fish stock-ings
from July 10 to September 20. Specific stocking days are not
— 4 — — 5 —
2004 Urban Fish-of-the-Year
and Catch and Release Records
(Preliminary as of November 1, 2004. Final results will be available in
February 2005 at azgfd.gov )
Urban fish-of-the-year:
Carp............................................... 15 lb 1.6 oz., 31 in.
Caught 9-29-04 at Alvord Lake by Russell McMillan
Channel Catfish .............................. 10 lb. 8.32 oz., 25 in.
Caught 3-20-04 at Chaparral Lake by Kevin Collins
Rainbow Trout ................................ 2 lb. 5.1 oz., 16.75 in.
Caught 1-30-04 at Kiwanis Lake by Richard Warrick
White Amur .................................. 32 lb. 15.04 oz., 40 in.
Caught 3-17-04 at Kiwanis Lake by Duane Halvorson
Urban catch and release records:
Hybrid Sunfish* ............................................... 10 in.
Caught 6-19-04 at Papago Pond #2 by Mack Hollen Jr.
Redear Sunfish* .............................................. 11 in.
Caught 7-3-04 at Papago Pond #2 by Warren Hollen
* New Urban record
40 inch white amur (grass carp) caught by Duane Halvorson using a Kastmaster
lure and 6 lb. test line at Kiwanis Lake.
Urban Fishing Program FAQ’s
Continued
Q: Who pays for the Urban Fishing Program?
A: The Urban Fishing Program is a cooperative effort between the cit-ies
of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Payson, Peoria, Phoenix, Sahuarita,
Scottsdale, Surprise, Tempe and Tucson. The program is supported
by the sale of Urban Fishing Licenses and from fees from the city
parks and recreation departments. During 2004, over $360,000 was
spent on stocking keeper-size channel catfish, rainbow trout, and
sunfish.
Q: Why are some lakes in urban areas not in the Urban
Fishing Program and not a designated Urban Fishing
Program water?
A: There are several reasons, including, but not limited to: 1) these
lakes are either smaller than 2 acres and/or have poor water quality
to support stocked fish; 2) they have inadequate facilities or are not
open to the public or; 3) their managing entity or the city chooses
not to enter into a cooperative agreement with the department. The
department is committed to growth of the Urban Fishing Program
and is always looking for new fishery opportunities and partner-ships.
Watch for growth in the future.
Q: Are the fish safe to eat?
A: Yes. Overseeing the quality and health of the lakes and the fish
involves a partnership between the cities, the Game and Fish De-partment
and the Department of Environmental Quality. Lake water
quality is monitored regularly to ensure compliance with state stan-dards.
The trout, catfish and sunfish stocked into our designated
Urban Fishing Program waters come from reputable fish farms
with strict fish health standards and quality control practices. Most
of the stocked fish don’t stay in the lakes for long (80 percent of
the stocked fish are caught within 30 days). Finally, remember
that proper care and cooking of your catch will ensure a healthy
and delicious meal!
— 6 — — 7 —
The Urban Angler’s Code of Ethics
1. I will help protect the outdoors. I will not litter. I will pick up and
properly dispose of all fishing line, bait containers, fish remains and
other trash.
2. I will respect other people’s privacy and fishing space. I will fish
quietly so I don’t frighten fish or disturb people.
3. I will buy and carry an Urban Fishing license if I am 14 years
old or older.
4. I will know the fishing regulations including the size and num-ber
of fish I can keep. I will abide by these laws and report those
that violate them to Operation Game Thief (1-800-352-0700).
5. I will keep only those fish that I plan to eat. I will carefully
release all other fish right away.
6. I will properly care for all fish I plan to eat. This means putting
them on ice at the lake, cleaning them at home, and quickly and
properly storing them in a refrigerator or freezer.
7. I will share my fishing knowledge and skills with others, par-ticularly
kids.
Canal Pond, Tempe
Things to know
Remember the following actions are illegal by the public:
1) stocking live fish into a body of water, and
2) removing and transferring fish alive from a body of water.
Please, do not feed the ducks and geese. Feeding creates a dependent
population that is a potential health hazard and makes a costly mess.
Ducks have plenty of natural food already. Most food given to ducks is
not healthy, too many ducks creates a nuisance situation, and the feces
from ducks and wasted food causes water pollution. Many of the parks
have rules prohibiting the feeding of ducks.
Where to get more information
Current information on Program activities and stocking schedules is
prepared every two weeks in the Urban Fishing Program Bulletin. Bul-letins
are posted on bulletin boards at your nearest Urban Program
lake or they can be downloaded from the Web at azgfd.gov. To receive
your free copy of the bi-weekly Urban Fishing Program Bulletin or the
weekly Fishing Report, subscribe under AZGFD eNews. The web site
includes more facts and information on the Program as well as the
weekly stocking schedules. Also, you can buy all your fishing licenses
and stamps on line.
Riverview Lake, Mesa
— 8 — — 9 —
Report Violators
Call Operation Game Thief 24/7
1-800-352-0700
Bag and Size Limits
Urban Lakes Urban Ponds Minimum
Species Daily Bag and Possession Limit Size Limit
Catfish 4 2 None
Trout 4 2 None
for unlicensed juveniles 2 1 None
Bass 2 1 13 inches
Sunfish: various species
including bluegill, redear,
green, and hybrid 10 5 None
White amur (grass carp) 1 1 30 inches
Other None None None
Method of Take, Use of Bait
Angling:
• One or two poles only. Anglers may use no more than two hooks on
each line. If using two poles, must have a $4 Two Pole stamp.
• No snagging or use of seine or dip nets to capture sport fish.
Other:
• Park rules and regulations vary by city and are identified on signage
at each park.
• When fishing, Game and Fish laws require you to attend your line,
that is, stay near your fishing pole at all times.
• When fishing, the hook, fly or lure must be used in such a manner
that the fish voluntarily attempt to take it in their mouths.
• It is a violation to fail to keep all edible portions of fish in an edible
condition or to leave fish to die. This is wasting “game” meat.
• It is illegal to transport live fish from a lake or to transfer live fish
from one body of water to another. Unauthorized stocking of fish,
minnows and crayfish is illegal.
• It is a violation to litter. This includes hooks, fishing line, bait con-tainers,
etc.
Urban Fishing Regulations
at a Glance
The Game and Fish Commission specially designates certain municipal
lakes as Urban Fishing Program waters (listed in this brochure). This
special designation includes rules and regulations that are unique to
these waters. The following information highlights what are considered
some of the key regulations urban anglers should be aware of.
NOTE: This summary of fishing regulations is prepared for conve-nience
only. It is not a legal document, as it does not contain all the
laws and regulations relating to fishing. For more details on general
rules and regulations, please refer to the 2005 & 2006 Arizona Fish-ing
Regulations booklet.
License Requirements: All persons 14 years or older, while fishing
any public fishing water in Arizona, must have on their person a current
Arizona fishing license. Urban Fishing Program waters require one of
the following license types (other types are not valid).
Age Fishing License Type
Under age 14 no license required
Age 14 and over Class U, Urban, good for calendar year $16.00
Class D, One day only $12.50
Age 70 and over and AZ
resident past 25 years Class P, Pioneer Complimentary
Other valid licenses include disabled veteran complimentary license and
youth-group two-day fishing license.
Licenses can be purchased at any Game and Fish office or any one of our
340 license dealers or sporting goods stores statewide that sells state
fishing and hunting licenses. Or, you can purchase a hunting or fishing
license from our Web site: azgfd.gov.
Fishing without a license
or the proper license
is the #1 violation.
— 10 — — 11 —
Límites del número y tamaño de captura
para el programa de pesca deportiva en
las ciudades
Lagos Urbanos Estanques Urbanos Mínimo de
Especie Límite diario de captura talla para su captura
Bagre de canal
(channel catfish) 4 2 Ninguno
Trucha (trout) 4 2 Ninguno
para cada menor
de 14 años 2 1 Ninguno
Lobina (small and large
mouth bass) 2 1 13 pulgadas (32 centímetros)
Varias especies de los
llamados “sunfish”, como
el agalla azul (bluegill),
redear, green e híbridos 10 5 Ninguno
Carpa herbívora (grass
carp o white amur) 1 1 30 pulgadas (73 centímetros)
Otras especies Ninguno Ninguno Ninguno
Metodos de pesca y tipo de carnada:
Con Anzuelo:
• Una o dos cañas. Cada pescador solo puede usar hasta dos anzuelos
por cada caña. Si se utilizan dos cañas al mismo tiempo, el pescador
deberá de tener en su licencia una estampilla especial de $4 dólares que
autoriza el uso de dos cañas.
• No se permite el uso de harpones, chinchorros, o redes de cuchara para
capturar a los peces.
Otros:
• Los reglamentos de los parques varian de ciudad en ciudad. El pescador
debe de leer estos reglamentos en los señalamientos de cada parque.
• Cuando este pescando, cada persona debe de cuidar su cañas, esto quiere
decir que debe de permanecer cerca de sus cañas en todo momento.
• Cuando este pescano, el anzuelo, mosca artificial o atrayente deben de
ser usados de tal manera que el pez deba, de manera voluntaria, tratar de
tomarlo con su boca.
• Si después de haber capturado un pez, usted lo deja morir o hechar a
perder, estará violando la ley.
• Se prohibe transportar peces vivos capturados en alguno de los lagos de
la ciudad, o bien transportalos de un lago a otro. Esto constituye una
introducción ilegal y se aplica para peces y crustaceos como el acocil.
Guía rápida sobre los reglamentos del
Programa de Pesca en las Ciudades
(Pesca Deportiva Urbana)
La Comisión de Caza y Pesca de Arizona ha designado ciertos lagos en
varias ciudades del estado, como parte del Programa de Pesca Deportiva en
las Ciudades. Este proyecto es en colaboración con los condados y no todos
los lagos urbanos participan en este programa. Aquellos lagos que si
participan, se encuentran enlistados en este folleto. La designación especial
de estos lagos incluye una serie de reglas y reglamentos únicos para estas
aguas. La siguiente información resume lo que se considera lo mas importante
que un pescador debe de conocer para la práctica de la pesca deportiva en
las ciudades.
NOTA: Esta guía rápida sobre la pesca deportiva en las ciudades se ha
preparado únicamente con fines informativos. No es un documento legal, ya
que no contiene todas y cada una de las leyes y reglamentos referentes a la
pesca deportiva. Para mayor información sobre las leyes y reglamentos,
porfavor consulte el folleto del 2005 y 2006 sobre la pesca deportiva en Ari-zona,
disponible en las oficinas del Departamento de Caza y Pesca por todo el
estado y con los distribuidores de artículos deportivos sobre caza y pesca.
Requisitos para obtener una licencia de pesca deportiva en las
ciudades. Todas las personas que tengan 14 años de edad o más, deben
de portar una licencia válida del año en curso mientras se encuentran
pescando en Arizona. Para participar en Programa de Pesca en las Ciudades
se requiere una de las siguientes licencias, según sea el caso. Existen otro
tipo de licencias para pescar fuera de las ciudades, pero estas no son válidas
para la pesca urbana.
Edad Tipo De Licencia Para Pescar
Menores de 14 años No se necesita una licencia para pescar
14 años o mayores Licencia Clase U (Urbana), válida por
el año en curso, o. $16.00
Licencia Clase D, válida por un día. $12.50
70 años o mayores y residentes
del estado de Arizona en los
últimos 25 años Licencia Clase P (Pionero). —
Otro tipo de licencias para pescar incluyen licencias gratuitas para veteranos
de guerra con discapacidades y licencias de dos días para grupos de jóvenes.
Las licencias de pescar pueden ser compradas en cualquiera de las oficinas
del Departamento de Caza y Pesca de Arizona o cualquiera de los 300
establecimientos autorizados como son las tiendas de deportes en todo el
estado que venden licencias de cazar y pescar. También puede adquirir su
licencia de cazar o pescar en nuestra página de internet: azgfd.gov
Pescar sin una licencia o sin la licencia adecuada, es el ilícito #1
— 12 — — 13 —
Arizona Urban Fishing Program
Urban Fish-of-the-Year/Catch and Release
In 2000, the Arizona Game and Fish Department started keeping records for
Urban Fish-of-the-Year, and Catch and Release records from the department’s
designated Urban Fishing Program waters. Over the years, some remarkable
fish have been caught from city park lakes. This is your opportunity to claim
some fame for your trophy catches, whether you keep it or release it. We also
plan to include photographs of some of you and your record fish in next
year’s Urban Fishing Program brochure. Good Luck!
Requirements for reporting
Rule #1 Fish must be weighed on a certified fair trade scale in pounds.
Scale locations, register number and expiration date of scale cer-tification
must be recorded on an entry form. The department
reserves the right to cut open any fish after weighing. (Rule #1
not required for catch and release entries).
Rule #2 Length of the fish must be measured in inches by a straight line
from the tip of the snout to the tip of the compressed tail.
Rule #3 Fish must be caught in an Arizona Urban Fishing Program water.
Fish must be taken during the legal open season and by the
legal method of take for the water where taken. Any illegal act
associated with taking or handling of the fish will disqualify
the record.
Rule #4 Identification of species must be verified by a member of the
Arizona Game and Fish Department. A photograph of the fish is
required for the record file and for identification purposes.
Rule #5 Angler must provide Arizona Fishing License number. Inspec-tion
of valid fishing license must be verified by a member of
the Arizona Game and Fish Department. For catch and release
records, a photo copy of the current, valid license is required.
Rule #6 If the weights and measurements are not witnessed by the de-partment
personnel, two witnesses must be present at the time
the fish is weighed and measured.
Rule #7 The Arizona Game and Fish Department reserves the right to
further check identification and/or verification of witnesses and
to refuse an application that is questionable.
Rule #8 In the event of any dispute regarding the authenticity of the fish
record application, the fish must be made available for inspection
by Arizona Game and Fish Department personnel. The determina-tion
made by department personnel shall be conclusive.
See page 14 for record fish entry form.
Arizona Urban Fishing Program
Urban Fish-of-the-Year/Catch and
Release entry form
See page 15 for rules and a description of the record fish program.
Angler’s Name: ____________________________________
Address: ________________________________________
______________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________________
Species: ________________________________________
Common Name
Date Caught: _____________________________________
Certified Weight (Rule #1): ___________ lbs. (example: 3.18 lbs)
Total Length (Rule #2): _________________________inches
Location of Catch (Rule #3): ___________________________
Type of Lure or Bait: ________________________________
Species Identified By (Rule #4): ________________________
Fishing License Number: _____________________________
License Verified by (Rule #5): __________________________
Scale Location: ____________________________________
Registered Scale Number: __________________________
Expiration Date of Scale Certification: __________________
Witnesses to Weight (except catch and release entries):
We, the undersigned, witnessed the weighing of the fish described
above and attest to the weight and length as listed (Rule #1, 2, 6).
Signature: _______________________________________
Address: ________________________________________
______________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________
Address: ________________________________________
______________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________________
Submit your completed entry form and photograph to:
Arizona Game and Fish Department Fisheries Branch
2221 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85023
— 14 — — 15 —
Tucson Area
Urban Lakes
  Silverbell
  Kennedy
  Lakeside
  Sahuarita
Releasing and Caring
for Your Catch
Because of heavy demands on Arizona’s fishery resources, many an-glers
believe that killing and eating any sport fish is an obsolete practice.
They feel each fish should be enjoyed many times through “catch and
release” (a form of fish recycling). By limiting your harvest of urban
fish, you help assure better sport fishing for all. Responsible anglers
never take more fish than they can use.
If you decide to release a fish, try to keep it in the water at all times,
hold it lightly so as not to damage internal organs, and gently remove
the hook or cut your line if the hook is swallowed. Even large bass can
be landed with a lip hold. Grasping a fish with dry hands, squeezing it
around the middle or head, letting it flop around on the ground, or
using an abrasive landing net will remove a fish’s protective slime that
protects it from infection.
When releasing a fish, ease it into the water head first, or maintain
the lip hold and submerge the fish. Hold it underwater gently cupped
in your hand until it swims off.
To preserve the flavor of the fish you plan to keep, don’t keep them
on a stringer after they die. Fish stay alive longer in a wire basket. Or
best yet, put the fish on ice immediately. Fish that die and stiffen on
stringers get an “off taste” or may spoil, particularly if kept in warm
water or in the sun.
— 16 — — 17 —
Lakeside Lake:  
Location: Chuck Ford–Lakeside Park in east Tucson, northwest corner
of Stella Road and Sarnoff Drive.
Size: 14 acres at full capacity. Maximum depth 35 feet, average depth
15 feet.
Hours: Sunrise to 10:30 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish. No limit on crappie.
Boating: Canoes up to 17 feet and boats 14 feet and under are permit-ted.
Must have proper floatation devices on board. Gasoline motors
prohibited.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. No live baitfish allowed.
Contains: channel catfish, rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sun-fish,
hybrid sunfish, crappie and largemouth bass.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. No glass containers. No
littering. Feeding of waterfowl prohibited. Other rules posted. For more
information call (520) 791-5930 or (520) 791-3204, ext.13.
Special note: In recent years Lakeside has experienced extremely low
oxygen levels during the summer months. Consequently it has been nec-essary
to cancel some catfish stockings. A state-of-the-art aeration system
was installed by the city of Tucson in 2002 to improve lake conditions for
fish.
City of Tucson Lakes
Kennedy Lake:  
Location: J. F. Kennedy Park in southwest Tucson, north of Ajo Way
between La Cholla Boulevard and Mission Road.
Size: 10 acres. Maximum depth 12 feet, average depth 8 feet.
Hours: Sunrise to 10:30 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch minimum). No limit on carp.
Boating: Canoes up to 17 feet and boats 14 feet and under are permit-ted.
Must have proper floatation devices on board. Gasoline motors
prohibited.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. No live baitfish allowed.
Contains: channel catfish, rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sun-fish,
hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, carp, and white amur.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. No glass containers. No
littering. Feeding of waterfowl prohibited. Other rules posted. For more
information call (520) 791-5909 or (520) 791-3204, ext. 13.
Kennedy Lake, Tucson
— 18 — — 19 —
Town of Sahuarita
Sahuarita Lake:  
Location: Located 18 miles south of downtown Tucson. Take Sahuarita
Road exit (exit 75) off Interstate 19 (Nogales Highway) and head 1.0
miles east to La Villita Road. Take La Villita Road 1.2 miles north to the
north shore of the lake.
Size: 10 acres. Maximum depth 12 feet, average depth 7 feet.
Hours: Daylight hours as posted at lake.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish.
Boating: Boating permitted only between sunrise and sunset. Gas mo-tors
prohibited and not allowed to be attached to boats on the lake. Must
have proper floatation devices on board. For other boating rules, call the
information number below.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (in season), largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish,
and hybrid sunfish.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. All animals must be re-strained
by a leash. Alcoholic beverage permits required. Glass containers
prohibited. No littering. Other rules posted. For more information call
(520) 648-1972.
City of Tucson Lakes
Silverbell Lake:  
Location: Christopher Columbus Park in northwest Tucson, east of
Silverbell Road between Camino del Cerro and Grant Roads.
Size: 13 acres. Maximum depth 6 feet, average depth 4 feet.
Hours: Sunrise to 10:30 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch minimum). No limit on
crappie or carp.
Boating: Canoes up to 17 feet and boats 14 feet and under are permitted.
Must have proper floatation devices on board. Gasoline motors prohibited.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. No live baitfish allowed.
Contains: channel catfish, rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sun-fish,
hybrid sunfish, crappie, largemouth bass, carp, and white amur.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. No fishing allowed in
Archer Lake. No glass containers. No littering. Feeding of waterfowl pro-hibited.
Other rules posted. For more information call (520) 791-5890
or (520) 791-3204, ext. 13.
 
 
— 20 — — 21 —
Metropolitan Phoenix Urban Lakes and Ponds
— 22 — — 23 —
Town of Gilbert Lake
Water Ranch Lake:  
Location: Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in north Gilbert, at south-east
corner of Greenfield Road and Guadalupe Road. Lake is just east of
the Southeast Regional Library.
Size: 5 acres. Maximum depth 15 feet, average depth 11 feet.
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch minimum). No limit on
tilapia or carp.
Boating: Not allowed.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains channel catfish,
rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish, crap-pie,
largemouth bass, tilapia, and carp.
Park rules: No fishing from bridge. Swimming or wading prohibited.
Glass containers prohibited. No littering. Other rules posted. For more
information on park rules and regulations call (480) 503-6200.
City of Chandler Lake
Desert Breeze Lake:  
Location: Desert Breeze Park in west Chandler, southwest of Ray Road
and McClintock Drive on Desert Breeze Boulevard.
Size: 4 acres. Maximum depth 12 feet, average depth 8 feet.
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch minimum). No limit on
carp.
Boating: City of Chandler boating permit required. Must have proper
floatation devices aboard. No launch ramp, must hand carry boat from
north parking lot. No motors allowed (gas or electric). For more boating
information, call (480) 782-2727.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish,
largemouth bass, carp, and white amur.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. Glass containers prohib-ited.
Alcoholic beverage permits required. No littering. Other rules posted.
For more information call (480) 782-2727.
— 24 — — 25 —
Riverview Lake:  
Location: Riverview Park in west Mesa, northwest corner of Dobson
Road and 8th Street.
Size: 3 acres. Maximum depth 16 feet, average depth 10 feet.
Hours: Sunrise to 10 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish. No limit on carp or tilapia.
Boating: Not allowed.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish,
largemouth bass, tilapia, and carp.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. No pets allowed in park.
Glass containers prohibited. No distilled alcoholic beverages permitted.
No littering. Other rules posted. For more information call (480) 644-
4271 or (480) 644-5300.
City of Mesa Lakes
Red Mountain Lake:  
Location: Red Mountain Park in east Mesa, at southeast corner of Brown
Road and Sunvalley Boulevard (3/4 mile east of Power Road).
Size: 8 acres. Maximum depth 17 feet, average depth 12 feet.
Hours: Sunrise to 10 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch minimum). No limit on
carp.
Boating: Not allowed.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass,
carp, and white amur.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. No pets allowed in park.
Glass containers prohibited. No distilled alcoholic beverages permitted.
No littering. Other rules posted. For more information call (480) 644–
5300 or (480) 644-4271.
— 26 — — 27 —
City of Phoenix Lakes
Alvord Lake:  
Location: Cesar Chavez Park in southwest Phoenix, at southwest cor-ner
of 35th Avenue and Baseline Road.
Size: 25 acres, largest of Arizona’s designated Urban Fishing Lakes.
Maximum depth 18 feet, average depth 14 feet.
Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish, white amur (30 inch minimum). No limit on yel-low
bass, tilapia or carp.
Boating: Boating permitted only between sunrise and sunset. Only ca-noes,
rowboats and sailboats are allowed (no rafts). No motors allowed
(gas or electric). Must have proper floatation devices on board. Fishing
from a boat is prohibited.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass,
yellow bass, tilapia, and carp.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. Glass containers prohib-ited.
Alcoholic beverage permits required. No littering. Other rules posted.
For more information call (602) 262-6111.
Special note: In recent years Alvord has experienced extremely low
oxygen levels during the summer months. Consequently it has been nec-essary
to cancel some catfish stockings.
City of Peoria
Under new Urban Pond management!
Rio Vista Pond: NEW IN 2004!
Urban Pond Concept
Location: Rio Vista Park in south central Peoria on Rio Vista Boule-vard,
just north of Thunderbird Road, 1/4 mile west of Loop 101 Freeway.
Size: 2.7 acres. Maximum depth 13 feet, average depth 7 feet.
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: Urban Pond Concept - 2 catfish, 2
trout, 1 bass (13 inch minimum), 5 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch mini-mum).
No limit on tilapia or carp.
Boating: Not allowed
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (seasonal), hybrid sunfish, bluegill, redear sunfish,
largemouth bass, tilipia, white amur, and carp.
Park Rules: Swimming or wading in pond prohibited. Glass contain-ers
prohibited. Alcoholic beverage permits required. No littering. Dogs
are not permitted in park. Other rules posted. For more information call
(623) 773-7137.
Urban Pond Note: This smaller urban lake will be managed under the
new Urban Pond concept. Urban Ponds will be stocked just as often as
Urban Lakes at two-week intervals, but with fewer fish per delivery. Re-duced
daily bag and possession limits apply for all stocked fish.
— 28 — — 29 —
Desert West Lake:  
Location: Desert West Park in southwest Phoenix, at 63rd Avenue be-tween
Virginia Avenue and Encanto Boulevard.
Size: 5 acres. Maximum depth 15 feet, average depth 11 feet.
Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch minimum). No limit on
tilapia or carp.
Boating: Not allowed.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish,
largemouth bass, carp, and white amur.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. Glass containers prohib-ited.
No littering. Other rules posted. For more information on park rules
and regulations call (602) 495-3700.
City of Phoenix Lakes
Cortez Lake:  
Location: Cortez Park in west Phoenix, at northeast corner of 35th Av-enue
and Dunlap Avenue.
Size: 3 acres. Maximum depth 14 feet, average depth 10 feet.
Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch minimum). No limit on
tilapia or carp.
Boating: Not allowed.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish,
largemouth bass, tilapia, carp, and white amur.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. Glass containers prohib-ited.
Alcoholic beverage permits required. No littering. Other rules posted.
For more information call (602) 262-6575.
— 30 — — 31 —
Under new Urban Pond management!
Papago Ponds:  
Urban Pond Concept
Location: Papago Park in east Phoenix, immediately north of the Phoe-nix
Zoo on Galvin Parkway between McDowell Road and Van Buren Street.
Size: Total of 6 acres. Pond #1: 1 acre, maximum depth 8 feet. Pond #2:
2 acres, maximum depth 7 feet. Pond #3: 3 acres, maximum depth 11
feet.
Hours: 6:00 a.m. To 11:00 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: Urban Pond Concept - 1 bass (13
inch minimum), 2 catfish, 2 trout, 5 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch mini-mum).
No limit on crappie, tilapia or carp.
Boating: Not allowed.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: Channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (in season), largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish,
hybrid sunfish, crappie, tilapia, carp and white amur.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. Glass containers prohib-ited.
Alcoholic beverage permits required. No littering. Other rules posted.
For more information call (602) 256-3220.
Urban Pond Note: This smaller urban lake will be managed under the
new Urban Pond concept. Urban Ponds will be stocked just as often as
Urban Lakes at two-week intervals, but with fewer fish per delivery. Re-duced
daily bag and possession limits apply for all stocked fish.
Additional shoreline improvements are planned for 2005.
City of Phoenix Lakes
Encanto Lake:  
Location: Encanto Park in central Phoenix, northeast of 15th Avenue
and Encanto Boulevard (between Thomas and McDowell roads).
Size: 7.5 acres. Maximum depth 10 feet in main lake, 4 feet in channels.
Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch minimum). No limit on
tilapia or carp.
Boating: Private boats not allowed.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish,
largemouth bass, tilapia, carp, and white amur.
Park rules: Fishing prohibited from golf course as posted. Swimming
or wading prohibited. Glass containers prohibited. Alcoholic beverage
permits required. No littering. Other rules posted. For more information
call (602) 261-8991.
— 32 — — 33 —
City of Scottsdale Lake
Chaparral Lake:  
Location: Chaparral Park in west Scottsdale, northeast corner of Hayden
and Chaparral roads.
Size: 10 acres. Maximum depth 15 feet, average depth 10 feet.
Hours: Sunrise to 10:30 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish. No limit on crappie, tilapia or carp.
Boating: Boating permitted only between sunrise and sunset. Must have
proper floatation devices on board. Electric trolling motors may be used.
Gas motors prohibited. Windsurfing not allowed. Other boating rules posted.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
flathead catfish, rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sunfish,
hybrid sunfish, crappie, largemouth bass, tilapia, and carp.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. Must obtain a permit to
drink beer in the park. All other alcoholic beverages and glass contain-ers
are prohibited. Model boats may be operated only in areas that are
designated for that purpose. No littering. Other rules posted. For more
information call (480) 312-2353.
A major shoreline restoration project is scheduled from No-vember
2004 through April 2005. During this period the lake
will be closed to all fishing and will not be stocked.
City of Phoenix Lakes
Under new Urban Pond management!
Steele Indian School Park Pond: NEW IN 2005!
Urban Pond Concept
Location: Steele Indian School Park on the northeast corner of Indian
School Road and Central in downtown Phoenix. Park entrances are from
3rd Street north of Indian School or from Farrington Street (1 block north
of Indian School Road) west off of Central Avenue.
Size: 2.5 acres. Maximum depth 12 feet, average depth 8 feet.
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Daily Bag and Possession Limit: Urban Pond Concept - 2 catfish, 2
trout, 1 bass (13 inch minimum), 5 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch mini-mum).
No limit on tilapia or carp.
Boating: Not allowed.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (seasonal), hybrid sunfish, bluegill, redear sunfish,
largemouth bass, tilapia, white amur, and carp.
Park Rules: Swimming or wading in pond prohibited. Glass contain-ers
prohibited. Alcoholic beverage permits required. No littering. Other
rules posted. For more information call (602) 495-0739.
Urban Pond Note: This smaller urban lake will be managed under the
new Urban Pond concept. Urban Ponds will be stocked just as often as
Urban Lakes at two-week intervals, but with fewer fish per delivery. Re-duced
daily bag and possession limits apply for all stocked fish.
— 34 — — 35 —
City of Surprise
Surprise Lake:  
Location: City of Surprise. Surprise Recreation Campus in northwest Val-ley,
between Bell Road and Greenway on the east side of Bullard Avenue.
Size: 5 acres. Maximum depth 12 feet, average depth 8 feet.
Hours: Sunrise to 10:00 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch minimum).
Boating: Not allowed.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains channel catfish,
rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish, large-mouth
bass, and white amur.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. Glass containers prohib-ited.
No littering. Other rules posted. For more information call (623)
266-4500.
Additional shoreline improvements are planned for 2005.
City of Tempe Lakes
Under new Urban Pond management!
Canal Pond:  
Urban Pond Concept
Location: Canal Park in northwest Tempe, southwest corner of College
Avenue (68th Street) and McKellips Road.
Size: 3 acres. Maximum depth 7 feet, average depth 5 feet.
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 2 catfish, 2 trout, 1 bass (13 inch mini-mum),
5 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch minimum). No limit on tilapia or carp.
Boating: Not allowed.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish,
largemouth bass, tilapia, carp, and white amur.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. A permit is required to
drink beer in the park. All other alcoholic beverages and glass contain-ers
are prohibited. No littering. Other rules posted. For more information
call (480) 350-5200.
Urban Pond Note: This smaller urban lake will be managed under the
new Urban Pond concept. Urban Ponds will be stocked just as often as
Urban Lakes at two-week intervals, but with fewer fish per delivery. Re-duced
daily bag and possession limits apply for all stocked fish.
Additional shoreline improvements are planned for 2005.
— 36 — — 37 —
Town of Payson Lakes
Green Valley Lakes:  
Location: Green Valley Park in west Payson, on Main Street and Green
Valley Road (one mile west of Beeline Highway 87).
Size: Upper lake 2 acres, middle lake 1 acre, and main lake 10 acres.
Maximum depth of main lake 21 feet.
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 trout (2 for unlicensed juveniles),
2 bass (13 inch minimum), 4 catfish, 10 sunfish.
Boating: Boating permitted only between sunrise and sunset. Gas mo-tors
prohibited. Must have proper floatation devices on board.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains rainbow trout
(in season), largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, bluegill, green
sunfish and hybrid sunfish. Lake receives treated effluent, therefore full
body contact is prohibited.
Stocking: Trout are stocked at three week intervals from October to May.
Catfish, bass, and sunfish are not stocked.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. All animals must be re-strained
by a leash. Alcoholic beverage permits required. Glass containers
prohibited. No littering. Other rules posted. For more parks information
call (928) 474-5242 ext. 7.
Parks
Office
City of Tempe Lakes
Kiwanis Lake:  
Location: Kiwanis Community Park in central Tempe, southwest of
Baseline Road and Mill Avenue.
Size: 13 acres. Maximum depth 8 feet, average depth 5 feet.
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight.
Daily bag and possession limit: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13 inch
minimum), 10 sunfish, 1 white amur (30 inch minimum). No limit on
tilapia or carp.
Boating: City of Tempe annual boating permit required (call (480) 350-
5200). Must have proper floatation devices on board. Gas and electric
motors prohibited. Boating permitted only between sunrise and sunset.
Other boating rules posted.
Comments: Urban Fishing License required. Contains: channel cat-fish,
rainbow trout (in season), bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish,
tilapia, largemouth bass, flathead catfish, carp, and white amur.
Park rules: Swimming or wading prohibited. A permit is required to
drink beer in the park. All other alcoholic beverages and glass contain-ers
are prohibited. No littering. Other rules posted. For more information
call (480) 350-5200.
— 38 — — 39 —
Hybrid (Híbridos) Sunfish (includes bluegill, redear
sunfish, green sunfish and hybrid sunfish)
Stocked three times per year (twice in spring, once in fall).
Average size: 5-8 inches
Short bodied fish that is compressed or flat. Each sunfish species varies in
coloration and markings. Bluegill and redear have small mouths, while green
and hybrid sunfish mouths are larger. Sunfish occasionally reach weights
up to 3 pounds, but are most commonly 4-8 inches. Hybrids tend to grow
faster and reach larger sizes. Sunfish are easily caught by using earth worms,
meal worms or bread on #10 or smaller hook with a small bobber. Will
strike small jigs or flies. Stocked hybrids are particularly aggressive. Daily
bag and possession limit is 10 sunfish, except at Urban Ponds
where the limit is 5 sunfish. No size limits.
Largemouth Bass (Lobina)
Stocked once every three years as available.
Average size: 10-15 inches
Longer and not as deep-bodied as other sunfish. Dark green on top shad-ing
to white on the belly. There is a wide, dark mottled bar along the side.
Feeds almost entirely on other fish. Can be caught using lures that imitate
natural prey—flies, poppers, plugs, spoons, plastic worms—or natural
bait—worms and minnows. Fish around rock piles, points and submerged
objects at dawn or dusk. Lunkers from 3-8 pounds are sometimes taken.
Largemouth bass help control overpopulated, stunted sunfish. Hardy, they
may be caught and released many times. Daily bag and possession
limit is 2 bass that must be a minimum of 13 inches, except at
Urban Ponds where the limit is 1 bass that must be a minimum
of 13 inches.
Urban Fish
Channel Catfish (Bagre de canal)
Stocked every other week from March up to July 10 and
from September 20 to November.
Average size: 14-18 inches
These fish have spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins, long barbels about
the mouth, and an adipose fin. Body is scaleless and the tail is deeply
forked. Younger fish are silvery with black spots. Older fish are blue-black
above with white bellies. Most often caught with worms, liver, shrimp,
hot dogs or prepared “stink” baits fished on the bottom at dusk, at night,
or at dawn. Use sliding sinker, No. 2-6 hook. “Cats” stocked in Desig-nated
Urban Lakes average 1.8 lbs., but 3-6 lb. lunkers are not uncommon.
Daily bag and possession limit is 4 catfish, except at Urban
Ponds where the limit is 2 catfish. No size limits.
Rainbow Trout (Trucha)
Stocked every other week from November - March
Average size: 9-14 inches
Arizona’s most popular trout has very fine scales, an adipose fin and a
silvery body that goes from dark olive to black on top to silvery white on
the belly. Body and fins are spotted. Sides often have a horizontal pink
streak, hence its name. A coldwater fish, the rainbow trout does not sur-vive
through the hot summer months in urban lakes. Can be caught on
salmon eggs, Power Bait, corn, worms and cheese using No. 10 or 12
hook and small weight or with a bobber. Also strike small spinners and
other flashing lures as well as wet flies and nymph patterns. Designated
Urban Lakes are stocked with rainbow trout averaging over 1/3 pounds
each. Occasional catches of 2-3 lb. fish occur. Daily bag and posses-sion
limit is 4 trout for licensed anglers and 2 for unlicensed
juveniles and blind residents, except at Urban Ponds where
the limit is 2 and 1 trout, respectively. No size limits.
STOCKED
PLEASE RELEASE
STOCKED
— 41 —
STOCKED
STOCKED
— 40 —
White Amur (Grass carp) (Carpa herbívora)
Average size: 15-30 inches
Similar to common carp only in color (brassy yellow) and large scales.
Notable differences include no barbels on bony mouth, no spine on a
short dorsal fin or anal fin, more elongated, tail darker and more deeply
forked. These fish are highly effective biological controls of nuisance weed
and algae problems and were stocked for these purposes. Lakes contain-ing
white amur are posted with advisory signs. White amur can consume
more than their body weight in aquatic weeds each day. Although veg-etarians,
white amur will occasionally take various baits. Good fighters.
Anglers should exercise care to ensure safe release of these fish. A state
record 47 pounder was caught in 2002 from Encanto Lake. Daily creel
limit is 1 fish that must be a minimum of 30 inches.
Carp (Carpa)
Average size: 15-22 inches
An often overlooked food and sport fish. Carp have large scales, two
small barbels on each side of fleshy mouth, and a large sawtoothed
spine at the front of a long, single dorsal fin and the anal fin. Color is
brassy yellow or gold. Use worms, corn or dough balls made with bread,
cornmeal or Wheaties with various flavors (such as liver or anise) added,
and fish on bottom. Catches of 8-15 pounders not uncommon. Good
fighters. Tasty when smoked. No creel limit.
Urban Fish
Tilapia
Average size: 5-10 inches
Similar to bluegill and sunfish, except no dark gill flap, large-headed,
large mouth, with “broken” lateral line on sides. Coloration highly vari-able,
but body tending to be olivaceous and red or iridescent blue tinges
not uncommon on body or fins. Feeds on aquatic weeds and algae and is
helpful in their control. Intolerant of cold water temperatures—large num-bers
may die during cold winter months. Tilapia occasionally reach sizes
from 1-2 pounds, but are very prolific and overpopulate and become
stunted. Highly competitive with bluegill and largemouth bass. Anglers
can help prevent this by keeping all they catch. Good tasting. Tilapia are
caught by using small earth worms or meal worms on No. 8 or smaller
hook with a bobber. Will strike small jigs or flies. No creel limit.
Crappie
Average size: 6-11 inches
Flat-bodied fish with large dorsal and anal fins. Crappie mouths are
large and the head lengths are greater than other sunfish. Body is sil-very
white and speckled with dark spots across the sides and fins. Feeds
mostly on threadfin shad and other small fish. Often caught on small
minnows, worms and jigs. No creel limit.
PLEASE RELEASE
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Sportfishing Education Program
It’s fun and It’s free!
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has a statewide Sportfishing
Education Program, which teaches introductory fishing skills to people
of all ages. Fishing clinics are led by department sanctioned instructors.
The department further supplies all educational materials, rods, reels,
bait, and terminal tackle at no charge. Topics of instruction include: where
and when to fish; selecting tackle and bait; casting and rigging tech-niques;
fishing safety and ethics; care of your catch; and much more.
The department works with various private and public organizations
to solely or jointly sponsor fishing programs ranging in size from 25 to
2,500 participants. For information on scheduled public fishing clinics
in your area, call (602) 789-3235 or visit our Web site at azgfd.gov.
Operation Game Thief
Violators steal your fish—
help us catch game thieves!
Report violators: $25–$100 rewards for information
about over-limits. Call 1-800-352-0700.
Arizona’s fish and wildlife belong to all of us, so when someone takes an
over-limit, it’s like taking a fish off your stringer and putting it on theirs.
Bag and possession limits are designed to give everyone an equal chance
and protect the fishery. If you see someone breaking the law, call Opera-tion
Game Thief toll free (1-800-352-0700) immediately, 24-hours a day.
This phone number is printed on all fishing and hunting licenses.
To make the best case against violators, we need to know exactly what
they did, when and where they did it, a description of the person or persons,
a description of their vehicle, and the license plate number (very helpful).
Our most frequently reported violation is for overlimits of fish (an-glers
stealing from you and the Urban Program). Here are the facts
regarding bag limit regulations:
In a 24-hour calendar day period, an angler may not catch and keep over 4
trout and 4 catfish from any one or more Urban Program Lakes. Once the 4th
fish is kept, the angler must stop fishing for that species that day regardless
if the angler gives any of the kept fish away to someone else anytime that day.
Daily limits at Urban Program ponds are 2 trout and 2 catfish.
Kiwanis Lake, Tempe
Read the 2005 and 2006 Arizona Fishing Regulations.
You should get a copy when you buy your fishing li-cense.
If the dealer doesn’t give you a copy, ask! The
fishing regulations are important to you and the future
of Arizona’s fishing. Creel, size and slot limits, meth-ods
of take, and other rules protect fish from
over-exploitation, improve fishing quality, and give all
of us a better chance for success. The rules do change,
so get a new copy every year.
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For the department’s Weekly Fishing Report call
(602) 789-3701 or check our home page at
azgfd.gov for urban and other statewide fishing
information.
REGIONAL OFFICES
REGION 1 2878 E. White Mountain, Pinetop 85935 (928) 367-4281
REGION 2 3500 S. Lake Mary Rd., Flagstaff 86001 (928) 774-5045
REGION 3 5325 N. Stockton Hill Rd., Kingman 86401 (928) 692-7700
REGION 4 9140 E. 28th St., Yuma 85365 (928) 342-0091
REGION 5 555 N. Greasewood Rd., Tucson 85745 (520) 628-5376
REGION 6 7200 E. University, Mesa 85207 (480) 981-9400
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is the state agency charged with conserving and
managing Arizona’s fish and wildlife resources. Its money comes from the sale of
licenses, permits, fees and federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and fishing
equipment and boats. Policies are decided by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission,
whose members are appointed by the Governor.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race,
color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone be-lieves
that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities,
including its employment practices, the individual may file a complaint alleging discrimi-nation
directly with the AGFD Deputy Director, 2221 W. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023,
(602) 942-3000 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 130, Arlington,
VA 22203. If you require this document in an alternative format, please contact the AGFD
Deputy Director as listed above or by calling TTY at 1-800-367-8939.
ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT
2221 West Greenway Road
Phoenix, AZ 85023
(602) 942-3000