Planning a fishing trip here in Maricopa this summer?
Before you cast a line at either of Maricopa’s city-maintained lakes, Copper Sky or Pacana Park, there are a few rules to follow:
- A valid fishing license from the Arizona Game and Fish Department is required.
- Only fish during park hours, sunrise to 11 p.m.
- Do not touch the water.
- No feeding wildlife or waterfowl.
- No pets allowed in water.
- No floating objects like tubes or boats allowed in water.
- No netting, spearing or trapping fish.
“The lakes themselves are city-owned,” city spokesperson Monica Williams said. “However, Arizona Game and Fish are the ones who monitor the water quality and restock the fish as needed.”
Daily limits for bagging fish are as follows:
- 4 rainbow trout
- 4 channel catfish
- 2 largemouth bass (minimum 13 inches)
- 10 sunfish
- 1 white amur (minimum 30 inches)
If an angler gets greedy, he could face up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Five trout? You’re out.
“Our park rangers, Maricopa Police Department officers and Arizona Game and Fish have the ability to enforce those rules in order to ensure the lakes are not overfished and users are safe while doing so.”
They have the ability to enforce. But do they?
“The City of Maricopa has no record of any citations related to fishing laws,” said the city’s Records Administrator Andy Juarez. Arizona Fish and Game did not immediately respond to questions.
“The main goal of our rangers and staff is to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the amenities at our parks, so they will opt to educate fishers whenever possible,” Williams said.
If you don’t want to be the first person to get cited for overfishing in Maricopa, be smart this summer and throw that third bass back.
