Urban Fishing FAQs
| Enter the
Urban Fishing
Raffle being held during the month of
September to win a 12' Jon Boat, or one of
six other great prizes! |
Who pays for the Urban Fishing Program?
The Urban Fishing Program is a
cooperative effort between the City of Mesa and Arizona Game and Fish. The
program is fully funded by the sale of Urban Fishing Licenses and from fees from
the city parks and recreation departments. Each city pays $730 per year
for each surface acre of water stocked. During 2001, over $350,000 was
spent on stocking keeper-size channel catfish, rainbow trout and sunfish.
What kind of license do I need to fish
the designated Urban Lakes and where can I
purchase one?
A regular Arizona fishing
license (Class A or F) is not needed nor valid at Urban Lakes. Instead, if
you are 14 or over you must buy a $16 Class U Urban Fishing License (rates are
the same whether a resident or non resident). The Class U license covers
all fish species found in urban lakes. Juveniles under age 14 and blind
Arizona residents do not need a license.
Other licenses that are valid at Urban Lakes are: Class D resident or
non-resident one-day fishing licenses; resident youth-group two-day fishing
licenses (sold to groups of 20 juveniles age 14-17); and Pioneer and disabled
veteran complimentary licenses.
Urban and one-day fishing licenses can be purchased from any of 300 dealers
statewide that sells state fishing and hunting licenses or any Game and Fish
office.
What is the limit at Urban Lakes?
The daily bag and possession
limit is 4 trout and 4 catfish for anglers with Class U (Urban Fishing), Class
D, Pioneer, and Disabled Veteran Licenses. Unlicensed juveniles under age
14 and blind Arizona residents may take 2 trout and 4 catfish daily.
Largemouth bass daily limit is 4 fish that must be a minimum of 13 inches. For
white amur, the limit is 1 fish that must be a minimum of 30 inches.
Sunfish daily bag limit is 10 fish.
Are the fish safe to eat?
Overseeing the quality and
health of the lakes and the fish involves a partnership between the cities, the
Game and Fish Department and the Department of Environmental Quality. Lake
water quality is monitored to ensure compliance with state standards. The
trout, catfish, bass and sunfish stocked into the lakes come from reputable fish
farms with strict fish health standards and quality control practices.
Most of the stocked fish don't stay in the lakes for long, as 80% of the stocked
fish are caught within 30 days. Finally, remember that proper handling and
cooking of your catch will ensure a healthy and delicious meal!
What types of fish are in Urban Lakes?
Catchable rainbow trout are
stocked during the winter (November to March), and channel catfish are stocked
in the summer (March to November). Hybrid sunfish are stocked three times
per year. Bluegill and other sunfish species are common, and occasional
catches of largemouth bass are reported.
Red Mountain Park Lake contains: channel catfish, rainbow trout (in
season), bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, carp, and white amur.
Riverview Park Lake contains: channel catfish, rainbow trout (in
season), bluegill, redear sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, tilapia and
carp.
|
