Fishing tips and upcoming events

By Chase Newlon, AZGFD Fishing R3 Coordinator

With rainbow trout being stocked in all of the Community Fishing Program (CFP) waters and many of the rivers and lakes throughout the state, it is a good idea to freshen up on their behaviors. Trout are a cold water fish species and thrive in water temperatures below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Trout will often be found cruising the shorelines of lakes searching for food. Good trout fishing spots are generally characterized by rocks, gravel bars, weed lines and a change in bottom contour. They are a predatory fish and will feed on many different types of aquatic insects and bait fish. Matching your lures/flies/bait to what the fish are naturally feeding on will help you be more successful on the water. Here is a great resource for helping you to identify what the trout are eating.

Now that you know how to target trout, you can try your luck at one of the 50+ Community Fishing Waters, many of which are found within the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas. Find one that is close to you here: www.azgfd.gov/community

This time of year the trout stocked in the CFP waters will be keying in on midges and small mayflies. Baitfish patterns and small spoons will also work and entice a reaction bite from the fish. Casting out a ¼-ounce silver Kastmaster and doing a slow retrieve with short and erratic pauses will elicit some reactionary strikes. If you find that you are having trouble getting the fish to commit to the bite, try downsizing or a different color. 

The FishAZ Network is filled with great events for all skill levels by a variety of great partners. For an up-to-date list of events, visit https://register-ed.com/programs/arizona/239-fishaz-network.

Here is one event coming soon:

Saturday, Feb. 7, 8-11 a.m. - Hook, Line and Leisure: An adult introduction to fishing, Peoria Park Rangers, Paloma Lake, 29799 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy, Peoria. Rediscover the joy of fishing — or learn a new skill — at the community pond. This adult class covers knot tying, casting, fish handling, regulations, and more for a fun and relaxing day by the water. Pre-registration and fees are required. Interested? To register or for more information, visit Peoriaaz.gov/replace or call 623-773-7137. A valid Arizona fishing license is required. Adults 18 and older can purchase a short-term license, general fishing license, or combo license. To purchase a license, visit www.azgfd.gov/fishing and click on Fishing Licenses & Regulations.