Arizona

PHOENIX — Archery deer hunters are advised that some game management units formerly open to over-the-counter archery permit-tags will now require a permit issued through the big game draw application process for the 2008-09 hunting season.

MOGOLLON RIM – The deep snow drifts across backcountry mountain roads have melted and now Arizona’s picturesque trout lakes in the national forests are not only accessible, most have filled and spilled as well, creating premium fishing conditions not seen in more than a decade.

Fishing for catfish is good to excellent with a variety of baits working well on the bottom. Cats are biting variously throughout the day and anglers willing to spend a couple hours or fish different times of the day are being rewarded with some 2-3 pound fish. Top catfish baits include stink baits, shrimp or worms fished with a sliding sinker, or no sinker. Catfishing is poor at Chaparral (Scottsdale) and Red Mountain (Mesa) lakes due to cancelled catfish stockings the week of April 29-May 3. Bluegill and other sunfish are biting readily at all lakes on meal worms, worms or small doughballs under a small bobber. The bite for largemouth bass has slowed somewhat during this post-spawn period, but early morning anglers are still getting action on some nice fish in the 2-3 pound range using drop shot and split shot rigs. At Green Valley lakes (Payson) fishing is good for trout, particularly in the two smaller ponds which received some bonus trout stockings recently for local children’s fishing clinics. The final trout stocking of the spring season will take place the week of May 4-10 and will be a double stocking. Try PowerBait, worms or salmon eggs for the trout.

The Chandler Parks and Recreation Department recently notified Game and Fish officials that Veterans Oasis Lake would not be ready for catfish stockings this spring. Additional work is still needed to ensure this new lake is effectively sealed to conserve water. These unfortunate delays mean that no catfish can be stocked into this 5-acre urban lake in southeast Chandler until the fall catfish stockings resume in mid September. Fingerling and juvenile bluegill and largemouth bass from 2-7 inches are on order for stocking sometime later this summer to get this new fishery started. The park, located at Chandler Heights and Lindsay Roads is now open for public use with vehicle access only available off Lindsay Road at this time.

The cause of death of recently stocked catfish at 5 of 19 urban lakes looks like it is just a case of fish stress and common bacteria. “There is no need to worry,” said Dr. Andy Goodwin, Fish Pathologist Associate Director at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. He explained that catfish throughout Arkansas have experienced late winter/early spring stress due to a highly unusual sequence of major cold and wet storms earlier this year. Periods of cooling and warming cycles favor certain common bacteria that can infect weakened catfish. Additionally, until water temperatures reach the mid 50’s, fish farmers do not feed their catfish—this did not occur until mid April, a delay of 4-6 weeks over normal.

On Thursday evening, May 1, the Gilbert Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will be deciding on a citizen proposal to drop Water Ranch Lake from the Urban Fishing Program and convert it to a catch and release, artificial fly and lure only fishery requiring a state fishing license. Urban anglers and concerned citizens are invited to attend this public meeting taking place at the Southeast Regional Library at Water Ranch Park, 775 N. Greenfield Road (corner of Guadalupe) starting at 6:30 p.m.

PHOENIX – Key access roads in the mountains opened on April 17 allowing anglers and other outdoor recreational users entry to Woods Canyon Lake along the Mogollon Rim and Big Lake in the White Mountains.

PHOENIX – Key access roads in the mountains opened on April 17 allowing anglers and other outdoor recreational users entry to Woods Canyon Lake along the Mogollon Rim and Big Lake in the White Mountains.

On Thursday evening, May 1, the Gilbert Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will be deciding on a citizen proposal to drop Water Ranch Lake from the Urban Fishing Program and convert it to a catch and release, artificial fly and lure only fishery requiring a state fishing license. Urban anglers and concerned citizens are invited to attend this public meeting taking place at the Southeast Regional Library at Water Ranch Park, 775 N. Greenfield Road (corner of Guadalupe) starting at 6:30pm. The Arizona Game and Fish Department does not support this proposal. Eric Swanson, Urban Fishing Program Manager, will be giving the Advisory Board a presentation to highlight urban angler and Urban Fishing Program facts at Water Ranch Lake. This popular lake has been part of the Urban Program since 1999. In 2007 there were over 2,100 anglers that fished this lake accounting for nearly 25,000 recreational days of fun, wholesome fishing activity for families and anglers of all ages and abilities.

These have been difficult times for fish and fishermen alike at five Urban Fishing Program Lakes in the Phoenix area over the past few weeks. Golden alga blooms came on suddenly at Cortez and Water Ranch Lakes resulting in the loss of over 80 fish at each lake. Both lakes have since been treated with algaecides to kill off the troublesome, microscopic golden alga and stop its toxins from affecting any more fish. Recent tests indicate golden alga is under control at Cortez, but is not fully under control at Water Ranch. Some fish loses have also been reported from Desert Breeze, Chaparral and Surprise Lakes in recent weeks. Game and Fish biologists, parks staff and lake management consultants have all collaborated to respond to these issues promptly and perform all necessary water quality testing and lake management treatments. Lake conditions have returned to normal at Desert Breeze and are improving at Chaparral and Surprise. Read below to learn how all these environmental stresses will affect catfish stockings.