Urban Fishing Bulletin Related Information For the weeks of - Urban Stocking Schedule - Urban Fishing Facts Jan. 25, 2011 - Urban Fishing Regulations - Fishing Report

Manager: Eric Swanson (623) 236-7263 Specialist: Joann Hill (623) 236-7268

Call 1-800-352-0700 to report fishing violations

Incentive trout stockings generate excitement

“Look at that one! Whoa, can you believe how big that one is? That one has my name on it!”

These were just a few of the many excited comments heard by urban fishing biologists as the extra-large incentive trout were delivered to all 21 of the Urban Fishing Program lakes on Jan. 14.

The special loads of bigger fish and more fish captured the attention of anglers and other park visitors and sent them scrambling for their cameras, cell phones and fishing poles. Reports have been coming into Game and Fish offices of some remarkable trout caught.

Leon Jones caught a 6-pound rainbow trout from in Phoenix and applied for Big Fish-of-the-Year honors already. Jones’ 23.5 inch whopper was caught on Power Bait four days after the stockings.

Joe Anksel caught a 4.4 pounder at in Mesa, also on Power Bait. Talk around Red Mountain is that someone caught a 7 pounder.

Future trout stockings through the winter season will include some 2-5 pounders, but will mostly have 11-12 inchers; still a nice fish anywhere in Arizona.

2010 Urban Fishing Big Fish Record Winners Topping the list of 2010 Urban Program Big Fish-of-the-Year winners was an 8.7 pound channel catfish caught by Garrett Laubinger from in Tempe. Laubinger also garnered top honors for a 12-inch crappie and 9.5-inch yellow bass all from Kiwanis.

The largest rainbow trout of the year went 3.7 pounds and was caught by Antonio Lopez at in Gilbert. Other winners include:

Kept Largemouth bass 6.9 lb., Joe Sanchez, Kennedy Lake - Tucson Tilapia 6.2 lb., Esteban Hernandez, Encanto Lake - Phoenix White amur 12 lb., Brandon Dugan, – Mesa

Released Common carp 28 in., Ronda Larson, Kennedy Lake - Tucson Channel catfish 26 in., Jim Howell, Red Mountain Lake - Mesa Rainbow trout 18 in., Tom Hodge, – Surprise

Lists of 2010 and previous year’s Big Fish-of-the-Year winners can be found at www.azgfd.gov.

Information on how to apply for record kept or released fish can be found in the current Urban Fishing Program Guidebook or in the Arizona Fishing Regulations booklet. All winners receive certificates, caps and other prizes.

Cold Temperatures Rough on Tilapia Reports are coming in of dead tilapia from home association ponds and along the Salt and Gila Rivers. There is nothing wrong with these waters. Tthe death of tilapia is due to cold water temperatures only.

When cold fronts move in and water temperatures fall to the low 50s, the immune system of tilapia shuts down and they become susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. Three to four week later, many of the tilapia die.

We recommend not keeping and eating any tilapia during this winter stress period. All other fish such as trout, bass, bluegill and catfish are not affected and are safe to keep and eat.

Urban Fishing Report Extra large trout from 2-7 pounds were loaded into all lakes on Jan. 14 as part of the annual incentive trout stocking. In addition to lots of big fish, an extra 15 percent more fish were put into the 21 Urban Fishing Program waters. Trout are scheduled to be stocked again this week (week of Jan. 24).

A 6-pound rainbow was caught from Alvord Lake in Phoenix four days after the stocking. A 4.4 pounder came from Red Mountain with reports of bigger trout in the 7 pound range.

Power Bait fished off the bottom is the way to go for big trout. Other good baits for trout include worms, meal worms and small lures such as KastMasters and Super Dupers. With cold lake temperatures, the bite for catfish, bass or bluegill is slow. Trout fishing is consistently good to excellent at Green Valley lakes in Payson with Power Bait and worms fished on the bottom working best.

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, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (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.