Things to do / Travel Guide
While southern Arizona's better-known for it saguaro cacti than its catfish, there are plenty of places to reel in a good haul at one of the region's 20 lakes and ponds that are a part of Arizona's Urban Fishing Program. Every three years these lakes and ponds, which are supplied by ground or canal water, are stocked with largemouth bass that weigh in anywhere from six to 12 pounds.
Fishing Trips around Phoenix
If you're in Phoenix, head for the Papago Ponds, which offer blue ribbon bass fishing, or the largest lake in the program, the 25-acre Alvord Lake. Northeast of Phoenix is the 1,100-acre Saguaro Lake, where it's not unusual to land a 10-pound largemouth bass. Yellow bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and walleye are also there for the catching.
Visitors to Tempe, which is located just south of Scottsdale, can cast their fishing lines in the Kiwanis Lake. Head a few miles east and you'll find the Red Mountain Lake in nearby Mesa.
It's also possible to rent fishing equipment or a charter boat from Phoenix, they will take you out to one of the many lakes in the area.
The lower stretch of the Salt River is a popular spot to do some fly-fishing, and it's only 40 minutes away from downtown Phoenix. It's stocked with rainbow trout, and the river also has bluegill, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and suckers.
If a visit to the Superstition Wilderness, located about an hour's drive east of Phoenix, is on your itinerary, don't miss Canyon Lake, with its double-digit largemouth bass. Canyon Lake was created in 1925 when the Mormon Flat Dam was completed. Surrounded by scenic canyons and rugged cliffs, the lake is also stocked with rainbow trout for fly-fishing in the colder month, as well as carp and smallmouth bass. The Canyon Lake marina has places where you can rent a boat and fishing supplies.
Fishing Trips around Tucson
For fishing near Tucson, try the Rose Canyon Lake. Located 7,000 feet up in the Santa Catalina Mountains, the 7-acre lake is small but it's stocked with rainbow trout.
To find out more about the Urban Fishing Program, including rules and complete information about each lake or pond, contact the Arizona Game and Fish Departments.
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