TROUT STOCKINGS TO BEGIN AT GREEN VALLEY LAKES OCT.22
Payson residents and visitors can welcome back the trout to beautiful Green Valley Park on Friday, Oct. 22. Over 800 Colorado-grown rainbow trout will be delivered to kick off the trout stocking season, featuring 11-14 inch rainbow trout delivered every two weeks.
Fall is a wonderful time to visit the rim country, see the colors, and relax and fish along the grassy shorelines of this popular urban fishery just a mile west of Highway 87 on Main Street.
The fish stocking program at Green Valley is different from all other Urban Fishing Program waters. Rainbow trout are the only species stocked by Game and Fish during an eight month season that starts in mid October and continues through early May. No other fish species are stocked at Green Valley, however good populations of bass, crappie and sunfish can be found in this highly productive lake system.
ANGLERS STILL CATCH CATFISH WEEKS AFTER STOCKINGS
No doubt about it, the first 3-5 days after a fish stocking offer the best catch rates for catfish. But it is a serious mistake to think that "all the fish have been caught out."
Time after time, Game and Fish biologists witness, and get reports, of anglers catching limits of catfish from one week to two months since the last stocking. Instead of catching a couple fish an hour, it may take a couple hours to catch a fish. But persistence will pay off.
After a few days of leaving the easy life as a hatchery raised and heavily fed fish, catfish begin to develop "wild" behaviors in their new urban lake homes. These wary fish have grown "street smart" and are not easily fooled by conventional methods, or overanxious anglers.
After monitoring catfish stockings for over 20 years, biologists have determined that roughly 80% of stocked catfish are caught within the first week of stocking. That leaves 20% of the fish to carry over into the weeks and months ahead.
A perfect example: On September 24, the day of the first fall catfish stocking, biologists encountered an angler at Silverbell Lake in Tucson with two 2-pound catfish caught BEFORE the stocking truck arrived. Those catfish had been in the lake at least 12 weeks since the final spring catfish stocking in early July.
These reports are quite regular.
URBAN FISHING REPORT
Fishing for catfish is fair to excellent now that the fall stockings have resumed. Mornings and evenings are the best times as catfish prefer to feed under dim or dark conditions. While the majority of stocked catfish are caught in the first five days of stocking, anglers are still catching cats 1-2 weeks later at a slower rate. Top baits for catfish have been stink baits, shrimp and worms fished on the bottom in the deeper lake sections. Use smaller sinkers and 6-8 pound test line to get more hookups.
Fishing for bluegill is good along the shorelines in 4-8 feet of water. Try mealworms under a small, thin bobber for great action.
As lake temperatures fall below 78 degrees, expect better action for largemouth bass, especially in the early morning periods. Try finesse plastics rigged drop shot or Texas style for the bass and mix it up with small crankbaits, soft jerkbaits or spinnerbaits.
At Green Valley Lakes (Payson) fishing for bass, bluegill and crappie is good with some nice 2-3 pound bass showing up. Stockings of rainbow trout will begin at Green Valley Lakes on October 22.
STOCKING SCHEDULE
"¢ All UFP waters in Phoenix area and Tucson area - Last stocked catfish Sept. 24
(first of 4 fall stockings). Next stocking, catfish the week of Oct. 4-9.
"¢ Green Valley Lakes (Payson) - Last stocked trout May 7. Fall trout stockings will resume October 22.
Remember the Urban Fishing Program webpage at www.azgfd.gov/urbanfishing for up-to-date stocking schedules, fishing clinic information, fishing reports, and other great fishing information! Also sign up for free electronic mailings of the Urban Fishing Bulletin, Weekly Fishing Reports, and more at www.azgfd.gov/signup.