Payson residents and visitors can welcome back the trout to beautiful Green Valley Park on Monday, Oct. 15. There are more than 700 Colorado-grown rainbow trout heading to Payson to kick off the trout stocking season that features 11- to 14-inch fish delivered every two weeks.

Fall is a wonderful time to visit the rim country, see the colors, and relax and fish along the grassy shorelines of this popular urban fishery just a mile west of Highway 87 on Main Street. This park located in the heart of Payson offers walking trails, accessible fishing docks, restrooms and historic buildings on site.

The fish stocking program at Green Valley is different from all other Urban Fishing Program waters. Rainbow trout are the only species stocked by the Game and Fish Department during an eight-month season that starts in mid October and continues through early May.

No other species are stocked at Green Valley, however good populations of bass, crappie, catfish and sunfish can be found in this productive lake ecosystem.

Try fishing with a lighter line in the 2 to 6 pound range, smaller hooks and a minimal amount of weight. Best baits are worms, Power Bait, small spinners and spoons, or fly fishing using nymphs or wet flies.

Limits on trout are four per day for licensed anglers and two trout for children under age 14. For more information on license requirements or to purchase an Urban Fishing license online, visit www.azgfd.gov.   back...