Our Urban Fishing Rocks!
This is a great program! My daughter and I have fished urban waters lots of times. Kudos to our Game and Fish Department!
ARIZONA’S URBAN FISHING PROGRAM ONE OF LARGEST AND BEST IN U.S.
The Arizona Urban Fishing Program (UFP) is recognized by many other states as one of the best urban fishing programs in the United States. A special Urban Fishing Symposium in San Francisco this September will feature a number of presentations on the Arizona UFP. Other states looking to start their own urban fishing programs frequently contact our staff for guidance and ideas. With 20 waters in the UFP, 163 total lake acres, over $500,000 in fish contracts to deliver fish, and over 50,000 anglers of all ages participating in the program, it is clearly one of the largest and best run programs in the nation—something to be proud of!
CATFISH STOCKINGS TO RESUME WEEK OF SEPT. 17-22
There are no scheduled catfish stockings at Urban Fishing Program waters from July 1 through Sept. 15. Once lake temperatures begin to decrease entering the fall season, then catfish stockings can resume again. Deliveries of catfish are scheduled to restart the week of Sept. 17-22 (unless the summer heat never ends!). This fall, a total of four catfish stockings are planned at two-week intervals before fish stockings switch over to rainbow trout in mid November. Fishing at Urban Program waters will remain slow throughout the summer. Catfish can still be caught, especially from the larger lakes, with bluegill, bass and carp still providing some fun for persistent anglers.
NEW URBAN FISHING LICENSE CHOICES AVAILABLE IN 2007 AND 2008
For the past 20 years anglers have had only one annual fishing license option when fishing designated Urban Fishing Program lakes and ponds—the Urban Fishing (Class U) license. Priced at $18.50, the Urban Fishing license is a great value for resident and nonresident anglers age 14 and over. But many urban anglers also fish throughout Arizona and wanted one license that would cover all their fishing needs across the state. Enter the new Super Conservation Fishing License (Class L), a combination fishing license that includes the state fishing license, trout stamp and urban fishing license for $53 ($63 for non-residents). By packaging all these licenses together, anglers that would traditionally buy all three items can now save $5. Also new in 2007 are half-price Urban Fishing licenses when purchased at the end of the 2007 calendar year in the months of November and December only. So, if you recently moved here or haven’t gotten around to buying your urban license yet, this 50 percent off special may be a good deal for you. All licenses mentioned here can be purchased at your nearest license dealer (sporting goods store or department, or fishing tackle store) or Game and Fish office.
URBAN FISHING REPORT
Fishing for catfish is poor to fair at the various Urban Program lakes in both the Tucson and Phoenix areas. The record-breaking summer heat has cranked up lake temperatures and ramped down fishing activity. Fishing is expected to remain poor until cooler night-time temperatures arrive in mid-September. Fall catfish stockings are scheduled to resume the week of Sept. 17-22. Fishing for bluegill is fair for anglers using small pieces of worm, mealworms or doughballs. Use a small hook a couple feet under a pencil bobber and use light leader or line in the 4-pound range. Fishing at Green Valley lakes (Payson) is poor for trout, with bass, bluegill and crappie action rated as good for anglers using small jigs and worms. Remember the Web… www.azgfd.gov for updated stocking schedules, fishing clinics, public events, and other great fishing information! Also check out the Web for new information on the Urban Fishing Program, Weekly Fishing Reports, to get your own copy of this Urban Fishing Bulletin, or submit your email address to get your name on our bi-weekly email distribution list.
