Time to get out for winter trout

It's still autumn, but the Arizona Game and Fish Department's winter trout stocking program is already underway.

The winter trout stockings provide lots of diverse locations for anglers to fish. A lot of the trout stocking waters are close to major population centers. Visit azgfd.gov/fish for a complete listing of the lakes, rivers and streams, and to get a complete winter stocking schedule.

For instance, this week Beaver Creek and West Clear Creek in the Verde Valley are being stocked with trout, along with Parker Canyon in southern Arizona. Last week, Oak Creek was stocked with feisty rainbows, along with Fain Lake in Prescott Valley and Mingus Lake on the mountain above the historic mile-high mining town of Jerome. During the cooler days of November, winter trout stockings occur closer to the major metropolitan areas.

The Lower Salt River (below Saguaro Lake), which is just minutes away from downtown Mesa, will be stocked with trout starting the first week in November. This desert river is popular with both fly fishers and spin anglers.

Saguaro and Canyon lakes, which are both popular bass fisheries close to Phoenix, will be stocked with trout starting the second week of November. The popular Verde River between Cottonwood and Camp Verde will be stocked every other week, starting the second week of November.

Don't miss the "Welcome Back the Trout" festival at Tempe Town Lake on Nov. 21 from 3-5 p.m. This celebration has become a fun annual angling event just before Thanksgiving each year.