Then get set for the upcoming opening of the Mearns' quail season in

Arizona on Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving.

Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists said this looks like one

of those rare years when we have good numbers of Gambel's, scaled and

Mearns' quail numbers. "Sportsmen are probably looking at a good year for a

triple in southeastern Arizona," said Public Information Officer Rory

Aikens.

Hunters are already finding large schools of young Gambel's quail in

much of the state. Scaled quail numbers also appear to be up. Indications

are that this may be the best Mearns' quail season in more than a decade.

Best Fishing of the Year At Urban Lakes?

Tucson urban lakes were stocked with fat rainbow trout last week.

Phoenix lakes were stocked with trout this week. All the urban lakes have

recently been stocked with both channel catfish and hybrid sunfish.

"The water conditions are right. The weather conditions are great.

We are probably looking at some of the best urban fishing of the year right

now, just in time for the holiday season," said Eric Swanson, the Arizona

Game and Fish Department's Urban Fisheries Program manager.

On Nov. 14, Silverbell, Kennedy and Lakeside lakes in Tucson

received more than 3,000 trout ranging in size from 10 to 14 inches long.

"It didn't take long after the stocking for anglers to catch the first

rainbows of the winter stocking season in Tucson," Swanson said.

The greater Phoenix area urban lakes were stocked with 7,500 quality

rainbow trout on Monday, Nov. 19. "It has taken awhile, but the lake

temperatures have gradually cooled off enough to receive trout, a cold-water

fish. Trout stockings will continue in Phoenix and Tucson every two weeks

through mid-March," Swanson explained.

For tackle, Swanson suggests "thinking light." Use a two to

six-pound leader, size 10 to 12 hooks and minimal weight, such as a small

split shot.

"Trout have much better vision than catfish and can be choosier

about what they bite on - especially if the hook and bait are so big that a

fish could gag on it, the fishing line is so thick it looks like a rope, and

the weight is so big it seems like an anchor," Swanson pointed out.

Top baits for rainbow trout include prepared scented baits, such as

Power Bait, plus worms, cheese corn and salmon eggs. "Anglers have great

luck with small spinners and spoons, such as Panther Martins, Super Dupers

and KastMasters," Swanson explained.

Limits on trout are four per day for licensed anglers and two per

day for unlicensed youngsters. Remember, adults do need an urban fishing

license to fish these waters. The urban license fees provide most of the

money to pay for fish stockings.