Trout Stocking Season Gets Underway at Arizona’s Green Valley Lakes
Arizona Game and Fish Department 10.16.12
After a four-month wait, Payson anglers welcomed back the trout to beautiful Green Valley Park on Monday afternoon, Oct. 15. More than 700 Colorado-grown rainbow trout were delivered to kick off the trout stocking season that features 11- to 14-inch rainbow trout delivered every two weeks. Some 2- to 3-pound lunkers will be included.
Fishing and relaxing along the grassy shorelines is what makes Green Valley Lake, located just a mile west of Highway 87 on Main Street, a favorite of many urban anglers. The fish stocking program at Green Valley is different from all other Urban Fishing Program waters. Rainbow trout are the only species stocked by the Department 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, sunfish and even catfish can be found in this highly productive lake system.
Trout can be caught on small spinners and spoons, by fly fishermen using nymphs or wet flies, and by baits such as scented dough baits, worms or salmon eggs. Remember to use lighter line in the 2- to 6-pound range, smaller hooks and a minimal amount of weight. Limits on trout are four per day for licensed anglers and two trout for children under age 14.
