By Philip Haldiman
Independent Newsmedia

Opportunity knocks for resident anglers this season.

Arizona Game and Fish is stocking an extra 250,000 fish to bodies of water throughout the state including those in West Valley public parks.

Since May, the department’s Community Fishing Program has contributed more than 7,200 extra catfish weighing in at 11,000 pounds to at least four bodies of water in the cities of Surprise, Glendale and Peoria — Bonsall Pond, Pioneer Lake, Rio Vista Pond and Surprise Lake.

Spokesman Nick Walter said that number of fish is about 30 percent above average for this time of the year.

The fish were delivered from Arkansas and Colorado.

He said heavy rain and run-off from the spring coupled with funding from projects that were unable to be completed during the past fiscal year allowed for the purchase.

This is absolutely a unique and an incredible opportunity for anglers, Mr. Walter said.

“To keep up with the volume of water and give anglers great sport opportunity and keep their expectation for quality fishing catch rate, we decided to bring more fish to everybody’s front doors,” he said.

Funding for the extra fish, funds were redirected from “vacancy savings” and projects that were unable to be completed during the past fiscal year.

Jake Eason, Peoria neighborhood and community parks manager, said the city partners with Arizona Game and Fish on an annual basis to provide residents and visitors a sport fishing recreational opportunity at Rio Vista and Pioneer Community Parks.

He said the amount of fish stocked at these parks varies based on the weight of the fish and the surface area of the lake. Before stocking, Game and Fish monitors basic water quality and biological indicators to determine if water conditions are suitable for fish stockings. The parks are stocked with rainbow trout bi-weekly, November through March, and channel catfish are stocked bi-weekly March through mid-June and mid-September through November. Mr. Eason said sunfish are stocked once annually.

“Benefits to the residents are endless, but a few are that the program provides an affordable fishing opportunity and opportunity for social engagement, and it’s a great multi-generational activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family,” Mr. Eason said.

Anglers are required to follow state rules for fishing at urban lakes. A valid Arizona fishing license is required for Arizona resident and non-resident anglers 10 years of age or older fishing any public accessible water in Arizona. Youth under the age of 10 and blind residents do not need to purchase a state fishing license to fish in Arizona.

 

Fishing
Anglers are required to follow state rules for fishing at urban lakes. A valid Arizona fishing license is required for resident and non-resident anglers 10 years of age or older fishing any public accessible water in Arizona. Youth under the age of 10 and blind residents do not need to purchase a state fishing license to fish in Arizona. For all fishing rules and regulations, visit azgfd.com. For more fishing information, contact Peoria Community Services at 623-773-7137, or visit peoriaaz.gov.

Pioneer Community Park
Location: 8755 N. 83rd Ave.
Hours: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Size: 5 acres; maximum depth 12 feet.
Rules: Swimming, wading, glass containers
and littering are prohibited. Alcoholic beverage permits required. Boating not allowed. Leashed dogs are permitted in park.
Daily bag limits: 4 catfish, 4 trout, 2 bass (13-inch minimum), 10 sunfish,1 white amur (30-inch minimum). Statewide limits apply to all other species.

Rio Vista Community Park
Location: 8866-D W. Thunderbird Road
Hours: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Size: 2.7 acres; maximum depth 14 feet.
Rules: Swimming, wading, glass containers and littering are prohibited. Alcoholic beverage permits required. Boating not allowed. Leashed dogs are permitted in park. Other rules as posted
Daily bag limits: 2 catfish, 2 trout,1 bass (13-inch minimum), 5 sunfish, 1 white amur (30-inch minimum). Statewide limits apply to all other species.