For 2011, Arizona Game and Fish will be stocking roughly 14,000 pounds of catfish each week until mid-summer.
The catfish season officially kicks off at all Urban Fishing Program lakes and ponds in the Phoenix and Tucson areas on Thursday, March 24 when lakes will receive deliveries of 15-20 inch channel catfish, with some fish weighing up to 3 pounds.
More than 14,000 pounds of Arkansas farm-raised catfish will be delivered and stocked into Urban Fishing Program lakes every two weeks from now through early July. Traditionally, when the department switches fish suppliers from winter trout to spring catfish deliveries, anglers are given the specific day of stocking.
The usual baits such as worms, stink baits, hot dogs and shrimp should work well for catching channel cats. Daily limits are four catfish per person at Urban Lakes or two catfish per person at Urban Ponds (note regulations and park signage for lake and pond designations).
In addition to stocked catfish in Arizona’s urban fishing lakes, anglers may find a few remaining trout as well. For more information, visit the urban fishing report at on the Arizona Game and Fish website.