Urban Fishing Facts

Did you know that —

• There are now a total of 21 lakes in the Program located in 11 cities. More lakes are expected to join the Program over the next few years.

• The $18.50 Class U (Urban) fishing license fee is the same price for non-residents too.

• The Class L, Super Conservation Fishing license is also valid at Program waters. This new combo license includes the Class A state fishing license, the Class U urban fishing license and the Trout Stamp packaged together for $53, a savings of $5 for Arizona residents. The Class L license for non-residents is an amazing deal at only $63, a savings of more than 50 percent.

• The Class U Urban fishing license is valid at all 21 Urban Fishing Program lakes that are located in the Phoenix metropolitan area, as well as Tucson, Sahuarita and Payson.

• Fish caught at all urban lakes are fun to catch and safe to eat.

• Over 62,000 urban anglers participated in fishing last year and accounted for over 680,000 angler recreation days.

• Urban lakes are stocked with healthy catchable-sized fish every other week from mid-September through the end of June.

• Over 230,000 pounds of fish are stocked annually in the urban lakes at a cost of more than $650,000.

• Trout cost about $2.75 per fish to stock and catfish cost about $4.00 each. That is less than you would pay for fresh fish at the market.

• The fish stocked in the urban lakes are not grown in state hatcheries, but purchased from private fish farmers. The channel catfish are being delivered all the way from fish farms in Arkansas, rainbow trout are grown and delivered from sources in Colorado, and sunfish come from farms in Arkansas.

• Last year, the department was involved in holding 162 fishing clinics, reaching over 17,000 people of all ages and capabilities.

• An Urban Fishing Program Bulletin is prepared every two weeks with stocking information, fishing reports and other timely updates. You can get your own copy of our Urban Fishing Bulletin sent directly to you every two weeks by e-mail. To sign up, go to online services and enter your e-mail address, and check the box for the Urban Fishing Bulletin.