AZ Game and Fish's Fish Stocking Schedule Questions

[Rag Horn]

I have recently been made aware of the game and fish's fish stocking schedule; and have been brushing up on it trying to hedge my odds. While I appreciate the schedule it left me wondering these two questions. Anyone have any insight to any or all of these questions.

 

1- Does the game and fish not stock bass or bluegill in some of the desert lakes around the valley like Canyon Lake, Saguaro Lake etc or they do they just don't release the schedule?

 

2- Why are Big Lake, and Luna Lake omitted from this list? Or am I an idiot and missed it? https://s3.amazonaws.com/azgfd-portal-wordpress/azgfd.wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/19144618/April-to-Sept_2017-SummerStocking-PSH-EAST_-5_15_2017.pdf

[PRDATR]

They have stocked some Florida strain largemouth but that about it I believe for warm water species.

[biglakejake]

1) almost no warm water stocking except urban lakes.

 

2) while big lake gets an occasional summer stocking of surplus fish when other waters warm too much it is managed for stocking fingerlings in huge numbers once a year. something like 200,000 1-3 inch fingerlings stocked annually-thats why all the fish have pink meat. or was it 2,000,000? best advice-fish big lake and forget all the lakes on the stocking schedule.

 

3) luna unknown-usually managed like nelson.

 

lee

[dmoto]

They stocked a bunch of FL strain LMB in Roosevelt a while back. Now, I believe they are working on habitat for that lake. I believe, the only fish they stock into the Salt chain lakes are trout into Canyon, Saggy and Apache.

 

If you have signed up for the "I Support Wildlife" program with AZGFD, they give you daily stocking reports (see pic below). From what I understand, the bass/cat/gill stockings are only in urban lakes.

 

Saguaro is on fire right now. Literally fish in a barrel. Same with Bartlett, but you'll be having a good day if you catch a bass over 2# there.

 

 

[PRDATR]

Saggy? Been here for 40 years and never heard it called that.

[trphyhntr]

i always call it sag, or sag nuts.

[COA]

we call it suckauaro

[Rag Horn]

1) almost no warm water stocking except urban lakes.

 

2) while big lake gets an occasional summer stocking of surplus fish when other waters warm too much it is managed for stocking fingerlings in huge numbers once a year. something like 200,000 1-3 inch fingerlings stocked annually-thats why all the fish have pink meat. or was it 2,000,000? best advice-fish big lake and forget all the lakes on the stocking schedule.

 

3) luna unknown-usually managed like nelson.

 

lee

Big Thanks to all the relevant replies and regular size thanks for the rest. 😀

 

I would love to be educated on their stocking philosophy and learn the reason they have chosen this strategy. For some one as ignorant as I am to the ways of fish management programs I find it very interesting.

[AZbowhntr]

I am in the middle of moving right now and my new next door neighbor is with the Game and Fish and over all the hatcheries. I could probably ask him any fishing related questions and get a pretty accurate answer.

[Rag Horn]

I am in the middle of moving right now and my new next door neighbor is with the Game and Fish and over all the hatcheries. I could probably ask him any fishing related questions and get a pretty accurate answer.

Good luck with the move. That isn't a fun activity. Would be interested in what he has to say.

[Non-Typical Solutions]

Raghorn.......the reason you are struggling with the fishing report is you are up waaaaayyyy too early in the morning!!!

 

Quit worrying about when they stock the fish, get your favorite jitterbug lure out and take those kids fishin!!!

 

I will let you know how the fishing is at Nelson after this weekend.......probably won't be any parking spots but we will give it a try!!!

[rossislider]

Just a little update on Woods Canyon lake. My wife and I were up there last Thursday. Once we figured out where they were feeding, I don't think we ever had our lines in the water for more than 30 seconds without a bite. Most were in the 12-14 inch range.

 

But I wouldn't go within 30 miles of the Mogollon Rim this weekend.

[CouesPursuit]

 

Saguaro is on fire right now. Literally fish in a barrel.

 

 

 

Caught 12 fish in 2 hours after work yesterday. One LMB pushed 8 pounds on a crank and I caught a 8+ pound flathead drop shotting. Odd water color and a noticeable shad die off through the first half of the lake but it is absolutely great fishing right now.

[trphyhntr]

i went the other night and fished from shore and caught nothing but weeds. be right back killing myself