Silverbell Lake: On the Southwest Side of Tucson, Arizona, You'll Find Some Great Fishing, Although the Lake's History is Every Bit as Puzzling as Its Name

In 1984 Tucson's eastside lake, Lakeside, had its dam fail. When the popular waterway literally disappeared overnight, fish scheduled to be stocked there were rerouted to Silverbell Lake, on the city's southwest side. Silverbell has been part of the state's popular urban fishing program ever since.

Located in the city's spacious Christopher Columbus Park, Silverbell Lake started on shaky ground when Tucson officials wanted to call it Columbus Lake and Arizona Game and Fish insisted otherwise. To this day it's periodically listed by either name, although Silverbell is its official moniker.

The waterway's not the deepest in the state, or even close to the deepest among Arizona's urban fisheries. The 13 surface acre lake, when there's been enough rain to maintain the water level, has a maximum depth of only 6 feet. There, in the heart of Tucson though, you'll have a chance at landing catfish--which are stocked throughout the hotter summer months--bluegills, largemouth bass, carp, redear sunfish and during the winter rainbow trout are stocked every other week when conditions are suitable.

Stocked catfish average between a pound and a pound and a half. The trout are smaller, but always include some sizeable lunkers Arizona Game and Fish refers to as "incentive fish."

An urban fishing license is required to fish any of the state's urban waterways, instead of a regular fishing license. It's a good deal though, because it's less expensive and non-residents are not charged more. So if you're planning on visiting someone in Arizona, wetting a line is a pretty good deal.

Because the lake is located in a city park, the rules are very different from rural fishing spots. No campfires are allowed, although there are plenty of BBQ pits and picnic tables, dogs are not allowed in the lake or off their leash, and you have to leave the lake when the park closes. There are two boat launches, but boat sizes are limited and outboards are illegal.

In 1989 the Arizona Game and Fish Department conducted angling surveys, and found the lake averages 25 anglers at any one time. Those numbers typically peak after stocking, and on an off week, odds are pretty good you'll be one of only a few fishing. The study also found the lake provided more than 100,000 hours of angler recreation annually.

The main forage base for the fish is threadfin shad and mosquitofish. A 1988 survey by biologists found only 1.1 percent of the lake's finny residents were channel catfish, 4.4 percent were largemouth bass, 44 percent were redear sunfish and 45.1 percent were bluegill. Although the waterway is nutrient rich, the size and species distributed raised some concerns that it wasn't providing a quality experience.

Habitat projects and stocking efforts began almost right away. On Jan 31, 1988, 125 Christmas trees were dumped into the lake to provide suitable structure for bass and sunfish to spawn and seek shelter from bigger fish. In addition, 40 gravel-filled spawning beds were also installed into the lake.

In October of that year 1,500 largemouth bass were stocked and as a result, Silverbell Lake is one of Tucson's best urban angling destinations. Due to the waterways nutrient-rich water though, stockings of both catfish and trout can be cancelled if the water's pH is too high. Before heading to this or any other urban lake in Arizona, contact the nearest game and fish office or call (800) ASK-FISH for conditions anywhere in the state. The Arizona Game and Fish Department's website, www.azgfd.com also keeps its stocking information updated.

To get to Silverbell Lake, take Grant Road west from I-10 and turn north on Silverbell Road. The park and lake are on the east side of the road, and there are plenty of signs.

No, it's not your typical angling destination. But if you live in Tucson, or nearby, why not pack the family up for a picnic, head to Silverbell Lake and make a day of it. You might not catch a record lunker, but the memories are sure to be a keeper.