Arizona's Community Fishing Program

Our community lakes are such great places to fish – the Game and Fish stocks them with a variety of fish at different times of year, including trout, catfish, and bluegill. Some of the lakes have bass in them, too! You've probably got an urban lake close by – there are over 50! - and sitting on the bank with a line in the water is one of the best ways to spend a day that I know of.

We've been taking our granddaughters to urban lakes since they were very small, and they not only love to fish, but they also love to play in the parks where the urban lakes are found. So even kids with short attention spans can have a great day outdoors if you take them to an urban lake. It's a win-win!

Where Are Community Lakes?

There are 29 community lakes in the Phoenix area, 5 around Yuma, 1 in Casa Grande, 2 in the Prescott Valley area, 4 around Tucson, one gorgeous lake in Payson, one near Ash Fork, one in St. Johns, one in Show Low, and one in the Safford area.

What Kind Of Fish Do The Community Lakes Have?

The Game and Fish Department stocks channel catfish, bluegill, and rainbow trout in the lakes. Channel cats between 13 and 18 inches long are stocked spring and fall, bluegill in spring, and 10- to 13-inch trout are stocked in winter. All of these are scrappy fighters and a lot of fun to catch on light tackle.

What Kind Of License Do You Need To Fish At A Community Lake?

A general fishing license in Arizona allows you to take fish statewide, including the Community Fishing Waters. For residents, a license is $37, and for non-residents it's $55. You can buy one online and print it out! For kids ages 10 – 17, a Youth Combination allows fishing at all the lakes as well. A Youth Combination license is only $5 for a resident OR a non-resident.

The best part is that your regular license isn't for just the year you bought it in, it's valid for a year from the date you buy it. All licenses that allow fishing are valid for trout as well, and also for simultaneous fishing with two poles or lines.

If you're just visiting Arizona, or you just want to try your hand at Community Fishing, a short term combination hunt and fish license lets you fish anywhere in the state for $15 a day for residents, and $20 a day for non-residents. When you buy your short-term license online, you can select the day it's valid on, so you can plan ahead.You can get all the info you need and buy a license online at http://www.azgfd.com.

What Kind Of Equipment Do I Need At The Community Lakes?

A simple, light spinning or spincasting outfit like a Zebco is great – you'll probably want to throw lightweight lures and baits. Another great option is the bait finesse system for bass. You can use a variety of small baits such as spoons, plastic worms and grubs, and small crankbaits and poppers, as well as things like salmon eggs and Power Bait.

What Are The Bag Limits At The Community Lakes?

Every community lake has a special sign that will tell you everything you need to know about fishing at that lake, including rules about boats, baits and lures, and about bag limits.

How To Enjoy A Day Of Fishing At A Community Lake

You don't need to carry a lot of tackle and gear with you, but there are a few things that always make any fishing trip more fun. Here are some ideas of things you'll need:

• License

• Hat

• Polarized sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Fishing rod and tackle box

• Drinking water

• Snacks

• Fishing net, preferably rubberized so hooks don't stick to it

• Chair

• Cooler and ice if you plan to take fish home

You may be able to find a shady spot to sit in, but not always – so consider bringing a chair that has its own shade, or at the least a hat with a nice wide brim.

Low-Light Fishing On Community Waters

Some community waters close at night because they are located in parks, but at some places you can relax on the banks at night and soak a line for catfish. We love to do this, and we've fished on urban lakes all around the valley in the dark. This is ideal for those who work and would rather not face possible park crowds on weekends.

For night fishing, take chairs or a blanket and just relax on the shore – at many of the lakes you can find grass nearby. If the lake you choose has a concrete walkway around it, you'll have to use chairs.

Consider bringing a UV lantern and using fluorescent fishing line. The light will make your fishing line glow, making it much easier to detect bites. A lot of the bass fishermen I know use a Magic Marker to darken the last 5 to 7 feet of their line in case the fish can see the glow.

If you have kids with you, bring alternative entertainment for them in case the fish aren't biting and they get bored. We always avoided electronic games and opted for things like mitts and balls, jacks, etc. Even coloring books can be great for the smaller kids. They also like to have their own lanterns and flashlights, especially the kind that change colors.

Bottom Line

I love the changes that the Game and Fish has made to the regulations – not having to buy an additional fishing license, etc. I hope you'll get out to the closest Community Waters this spring and try your hand at catching some of the fish that have been stocked there just for us. Have fun and be safe!