Arizona’s Urban Fishing Report for Oct. 16
Arizona Game and Fish Department 10.16.12
October offers some of the best fishing available at Urban Fishing Program lakes. Catfish stockings have been going on for the past five weeks at the Phoenix and Tucson Urban Waters, with more on the way the week of Oct. 15-20. Fishing for catfish is good to excellent for anglers using shrimp, stink baits, hot dogs and worms on the bottom. Generally, catfish bite best during early morning and evening periods, however as temperatures cool, catfish activity during daytime periods picks up.
Stockings of bluegill sunfish will occur from Oct. 29-Nov. 3 at all Phoenix and Tucson Urban Waters. Try mealworms, worms and corn 3-5 feet under a small bobber for bluegill. With lake temperatures falling 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.
Trout fishing will be excellent at Payson’s Green Valley Lakes following yesterday’s (Oct. 15) first stocking of the season (see article below). Try Powerbait, worms and small spinners and spoons for the 11- to 14-inch trout. Popular flies for trout are peacock lady and zebra midges fished slowly 4-6 feet below the surface. Trout stockings will continue every two weeks at Green Valley all the way through spring. For Urban waters in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, trout stockings will begin in mid November.
Last stocking:
Phoenix and Tucson Urban Fishing Program Waters – Oct. 4 (catfish; second of four fall stockings)
Green Valley Lakes (Payson) – Oct. 15 (trout, first delivery of the season)
Next stocking:
Phoenix and Tucson Urban Program Waters – Week of Oct. 15-20 (catfish; bluegill will be stocked the week of Oct. 29-Nov. 3)
Green Valley Lakes (Payson – Week of Oct. 29-Nov. 3 (trout)
