When most Arizonans think of fishing for a nice rainbow trout, they picture packing up the car and the family for a long drive to a cold mountain stream or lake.
When Northeast Mesa residents think of hooking a fresh trout dinner, they grab a pole and tackle box, jump in the car, and in about 15 minutes, they have a line in the water.
With such close proximity to the Lower Salt River, Saguaro Lake and two Mesa city parks with urban fishing lakes, locals can enjoy the benefits of a cooperative program between the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) and the City of Mesa, which stocks urban fishing areas throughout the year. And now, during the colder winter months (November through March), catchable-size rainbow trout are stocked every two weeks, according to AGFD officials.
On a recent, quiet Sunday afternoon at Red Mountain Park Lake, AGFD intern Justin Winter was surveying a dozen or so anglers about their fishing experiences, and handing out Fish AZ bumper stickers. “We do this about every five years to help improve our program,” he explained.
Several fishing enthusiasts had already snagged a rainbow trout. They included Jaydin, a Northeast Mesa student, who said he comes fishing as often as he can. Dante, fishing with his grandfather and brother, Tyrell, proudly showed off his catch and shared his secret bait. “I used corn,” the young angler stated. Larry and Judy of Mesa said they fish all the different spots, and caught one trout during their first five minutes that day, but nothing since. Travis and Steve, of East Mesa, laughed about the fact they had caught only clams.
People also come from surrounding areas to take advantage of the fun and relaxation. Brian brought his two sons from San Tan Valley. Lilah and Gary, Apache Junction snowbirds, from Saskatchewan, Canada, said they fish about three times a week. “Later in the year, we’ll have a big fish fry for family and friends. We give most of our fish away.”
Most anglers agreed early morning and late afternoon are the best times. A cursory check of the Salt River and Saguaro Lake Marina that same afternoon found dozens of pole-toting enthusiasts heading for the banks and docks as the sun headed low.
What kind of fish can you expect to catch? At Red Mountain Park Lake, located at 7745 E. Brown Road, you can try to outsmart channel catfish, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, carp and white amur. Riverview Park Lake, at 2100 W. 8th St., offers the challenge of channel catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, tilapia and carp.
The Lower Salt River, Granite Reef and Phon D Sutton recreation areas are stocked with catchable rainbow trout in winter. Blue Point and Water are stocked in summer.
At Saguaro Lake, trout are stocked at the Marina and Butcher Jones in winter. Year round, there are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow bass, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish and walleye.
All fishing licenses expire at the end of the year. So now is the most cost-effective time to get your 2011 license. Everyone age 14 and older must have a license, with some exceptions.
For fishing in the Salt River or Saguaro Lake and other state waters, you need a state fishing license. If you want one license, which covers all waters in the state, the Class L, Super Conservation Fishing license is the way to go. Licenses can be purchased online at www.agfd.gov, at local stores, or call (602) 942-3000.