Bye Bye Tempe Town Lake (cats, fish, clean)

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by slackjaw

Just in time for the Autumn trout stocking!

I didn't think the Town Lake was part of the Arizona Game and Fish urban fishing program? It's not listed on their stocking schedule. Is there a separate stocking that goes on there? Any info on dates?

[slackjaw]

I'm not sure what program it is part of, but I know that at some point in early winter it is suddenly possible to catch rainbow trout so I had always assume it was stocked.

[landbox]

Seems like it is stock by Arizona Game and Fish

From Tempe Town website:
Tempe Town Lake - Fishing

Fish in Town Lake
While Arizona Game and Fish stocks Tempe Town Lake with trout, anglers can expect to find many other kinds of fish that have made their way to the lake through the Salt River Project canals and Indian Bend Wash. Here are brief descriptions of some fish that might dangle at the end of a hook.....

From Arizona Game and Fish website:

Tempe Town Lake
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY:
Stocked with rainbow trout catchables seasonally in November, December and January. Largemouth Bass bag and size limits in place to protect and balance this expanding fishery. The city of Tempe closely monitors and maintains water quality.

Not sure why it is not there
Arizona Stocking Schedule Fish Stocking

[Bungle]

I think I figured it out. The Urban Fishing Program requires just a Class U license which allows you to fish at all Urban lakes. Tempe Town Lake is not considered an Urban Lake and requires a state Class A license. However, in each case, you need the additional Trout Stamp added to either of the licenses to pull trout out.

Regardless...glad to see it filling back up and hope they can stock by the end of the year!

[FastFerrari]

Any plans to rebuild the damn and fill it back up?

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by FastFerrari

Any plans to rebuild the damn and fill it back up?

The lake is being re-filled as we "speak"

[slackjaw]

I was out there this morning, sure enough the in-pipe on the Northern side is spewing water out at a high rate and the lake is already a few feet deep.

There are three out of four rubber dams in place, there is some kind of temporary deal sealing the other section.

[_Charles_]

Tempe has a warranty on the rubber dam that broke and repair costs were covered by the manufacturer under the warranty. However this agreement is due to expire. As far as I know there are plans to replace the rubber dam with something more permanent.

[FastFerrari]

Originally Posted by Greatday

The lake is being re-filled as we "speak"

I just so happend to leave Phx on the 5th of July and didnt hear the news. Good thing though cause Town Lake looks great on July 4th and New Years Eve.

[Bungle]

Tempe adds 70,000 insect-eating fish to Town Lake this week


Fish will return to Tempe Town Lake this Thursday morning, when the City of Tempe adds 70,000 small Israeli carp to the incoming water.

The carp are insect larvae eaters, designed to control midge flies around the lake.

Also entering Town Lake are smaller fish, coming with the water flowing into Town Lake from the Roosevelt dam system.

The new fish in the lake are a bit too small for sport fishing. Visitors to the lake are asked not to catch them just yet, as they are necessary for insect control. By giving them a little time, they can grow and reproduce.

The best fishing will begin in late November, when Arizona Game and Fish begins adding rainbow trout to Town Lake. As is tradition, on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Tempe welcomes back the rainbows with a community celebration. On Nov. 23, 3-5 p.m., Arizona Game and Fish offers a fishing clinic with free use of fishing gear, a helpful hand for new anglers and the opportunity to try the sport without a license for the afternoon.

Town Lake is currently filling at the rate of about 100 cubic feet per second. The city intends to open the lake on the morning of Oct. 26.