Urban fishing bulletin

              Urban Fishing Bulletin
For the weeks of Manager: Eric Swanson (602) 789-3263 Specialist: Joann Hill (602) 789-3268 Call 1-800-352-0700 to report fishing violations SPRING CATFISH STOCKINGS TO END SOON

Related Information - Urban Stocking Schedule - Urban Fishing Facts - Urban Fishing Regulations - Fishing Report

Two more catfish stockings are scheduled during the spring catfish stocking season. Stockings will take place the weeks of June 11-16 and June 25-30. Over 7,000 catfish are stocked every other week to all 19 Urban Fishing Program waters in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. It takes two large stocking trucks with 20 compartments per truck to safely deliver the nearly two pound catfish all the way from Arkansas. As summer approaches and temperatures routinely exceed 100 degrees, it becomes impractical to haul live fish into Arizona's Urban lakes. No fish stockings will be scheduled during July, August and the first half of September. Fall catfish stockings will resume the week of September 1722. Anglers can still fish for catfish, bass and bluegill at Urban waters throughout the summer, but the action is generally slower. LAKESIDE LAKE GETS SPECIAL TREATMENT Starting May 30, the City of Tucson began a special water treatment procedure for Lakeside Lake as part of a program to improve water quality in the lake and maintain environmental standards. Lake conditions have already been greatly improved since the installation of the state-of-the-art aeration system five years ago. Now Tucson wants to improve water conditions further with the addition of alum (aluminum sulfate) to help control excessive organic materials in the water. Applied by lake management professionals, alum is applied in liquid form from a boat. The alum causes suspended particles and algae in the water to settle harmlessly to the bottom of the lake. Alum, commonly used to treat drinking water, is environmentally safe and will not harm humans or fish. For a couple days after a treatment, the lake may appear milky or cloudy in appearance, but once it settles, water clarity will improve. Treatments will be applied over th e summer as necessary to maintain water quality. Game and Fish biologists will evaluate results from this special alum treatment procedure to determine it's usefulness at other Urban waters. CATFISH STOCKING UPDATES FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS: All lakes were successfully stocked as scheduled (see azgfd.gov web site for weekly stocking schedules). Silverbell Lake in Tucson is still not being stocked due to low lake levels and high pH values. Catfish stockings will continue every other week through the end of June, then no further stockings will occur until mid-September.

URBAN FISHING REPORT Fishing for catfish is rated fair to good at the various Urban Program lakes in both the Tucson and Phoenix areas. Catfishing is best during the cooler periods around sunrise and after sunset. Top baits include stink baits, shrimp, hot dogs, and worms fished on the bottom. Silverbell Lake in Tucson has not been stocked recently due to low lake levels and high pH values. Sunfish are biting well at most lakes for anglers using small worms or meal worms. Fishing at Green Valley lakes (Payson) is fair for trout, with bass, bluegill and crappie action rated as good. View the Urban Fishing Bulletin on our web site.
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 believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD's programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 2221 W. Greenway Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85023, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above. MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT: Change your E-mail address or subscriptions. Unsubscribe from all lists.