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Fish Stockings: All 20 of the Phoenix and Tucson area Urban Fishing Program lakes are scheduled for catfish stockings the week of May 11-16. Water conditions and pH levels are good to excellent at all lakes and golden alga is currently under control.

RECORD CATFISH CAUGHT AT PAYSON WILDLIFE FAIR

A huge channel catfish was hauled from the waters of Green Valley Park shortly after the Payson Wildlife Fair started Saturday, May 9. Using shrimp on the bottom and fishing the inlet end of the main lake, Tuy Sayasavanh, of Peoria, hooked into and landed the 26.9 pound leviathan. With over 500 people gathered at the park for the annual wildlife fair and fishing clinic, Sayasavanh’s massive fish attracted a lot of interest and excitement. Most folks were enjoying a pleasant morning catching some of the 1,500 rainbow trout freshly stocked or some of the abundant bluegill found around the lake. The lunker cat, measuring over 37 inches in length, shatters the previous Urban Fishing Program record 11.4 pound catfish caught in 2002 from Evelyn Hallman Pond in Tempe. Additionally, this is the largest channel cat reported to the department in 20 years and is only five pounds shy of the state record 32 pounder from Parker Canyon Lake.

GOLDEN ALGA UPDATE

Overall, water quality conditions at the Urban Lakes have been very good this winter and spring with only one incidence of a golden alga bloom—Water Ranch Lake in March. Urban Fishing Program staff and parks personnel continue to monitor Urban Program lakes for signs of golden alga. The key to battling this fish killing, microscopic alga is early detection and a rapid response treatment with algaecides. The Game and Fish Department has taken a lead role in the fight against golden alga and has worked earnestly to inform and educate the public and our parks partners about it. The department and cities’ active monitoring program has helped to keep the toxic alga in check before it causes harm to the resident bass, bluegill and catfish populations. Anglers are reminded to take precautions not to move any water, live fish or wet objects from lake to lake. Remember to clean, drain and dry all items that come in contact with the lake water before moving to another lake location. For more information on golden alga, go to www.azgfd.gov.

URBAN FISHING REPORT

A new Urban Fishing Program record 27 pound channel catfish was caught May 9 from Payson’s Green Valley Lake. The 37 inch whopper is just five pounds shy of the state record. Fishing is good for channel catfish at Urban waters in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Top baits for catfish continue to be worms, shrimp, and dough/stink baits fished off the bottom. Cats have been biting best mid morning and in the evenings. As temperatures warm further, the catfish become even more aggressive. Bluegill and sunfish are biting well along the shorelines for anglers using worms and mealworms. Bass fishing is picking up again during the pre-summer period, however fish are wary. Try small plastics presented with split shot or drop shot rigs in the evenings and early morning. At Green Valley lakes (Payson) fishing is excellent for trout and good for crappie, bluegill, bass and catfish. The final spring stocking of rainbow trout into Green Valley was May 9 and included a double stocking. Plenty of trout remain to sustain great fishing for weeks to come. Best trout baits include Power Bait or worms. Worms, mealworms and small jigs work well for the bluegill. Fly anglers are having luck with peacock ladies, small midges and black Wooly Buggers.

STOCKING SCHEDULE

* All UFP waters in Phoenix area and Tucson area - Last stocked catfish April 29. Next stocking, catfish the week of May 11-16.

* Green Valley Lakes (Payson) - Last stocked trout May 9 (Lots of extra fish! Last of spring stockings.) No further fish stockings until mid October.