Fish stocking a ‘first’ for Tempe Town Lake
By Kris Baxter
After an unexpected delay caused by unseasonably high temperatures, Mayor Neil Giuliano and representatives of the Arizona Game and Fish Department plan to release 4,000 to 5,000 rainbow trout into Tempe Town Lake, stocking the lake with game fish for the very first time.
The Arizona Department of Water Quality wanted to wait two years before giving Tempe the approval to encourage anything other than catch and release fishing at Tempe Town Lake.November marks the second anniversary of the lake's completion, and both Tempe and Arizona Game and Fish are ready to move forward.
"This is a historic occasion," Giuliano said. "We hope the stocking will allow residents of all ages to enjoy this great pastime at Tempe Town Lake."
Tempe will celebrate the lake's second anniversary with a public releasing of the trout at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26.Several of the trout to be released are considered "super catchables," 3- to 5-pound trout raised at hatcheries in Canyon Creek, about 30 miles northeast of Payson.
The trout release happens on the north shore of Tempe Town Lake, just a short walk from the Rio Salado Operations Center, at the southwest corner of Mill Avenue and Curry Road.
The fish will arrive at about 2:30 p.m. in a truck carrying a large tank with a Plexiglas viewing window.The "aquarium on wheels" will allow those attending the event to observe the trout before they are piped into the lake.
The Game and Fish tank is equipped with a large tube that is lowered into the water. Giuliano will liberate the first trout at 3:30 p.m. The remaining fish will swim from the tank through the tube and then enjoy the lake water.Arizona Game and Fish will continue to stock the lake until January. The lake's temperature becomes too warm for the fish after that.
After the fish are set loose, Arizona Game and Fish will sponsor a family fishing clinic complete with loaner rods and reels.Children under age 14 are not required to have a fishing license. Adults need to have a state fishing license with a trout stamp because Tempe Town Lake is not part of the urban fishing program.
Information: (480) 858-2059.
