Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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PHOENIX — Arizona waterways are teeming with activity and the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds all boaters to ensure a safe boating experience by remaining vigilant when out on the water. The reminder comes after a boat operator on Lake Mohave accidentally reversed the boat and struck a man with the boat’s propeller on Saturday. The man died of his injuries. “Our thoughts go out to the family of those impacted by this horrible accident,” said Josh Hoffman, AZGFD Boat Safety Educati... Full story
Please join us for the fourth year this ever-expanding event highlighting the many outdoor recreational opportunities, organizations, resources, equipment, and businesses in the Quad-Cities and beyond. The event features adventure recreation, stocked fishing, educational programs, live music, an expo, a 300-foot zip-line, great food, and much more — all in the scenic Granite Dells setting. This family friendly event is set for Saturday, Oct.10-Sunday, Oct. 11 from10a.m to 5 p.m. at Watson L... Full story
Action: Lake Wenatchee opens for sockeye salmon fishing. Effective date: July 30, 2015 (one hour before official sunrise). Species affected: Sockeye salmon. Daily limit: The daily limit per angler is 4 sockeye, minimum size of 12 inches. Location: Lake Wenatchee (Chelan Co.). Reason for action: Based on current passage over Tumwater Dam, at least 30,000 sockeye are projected to enter into Lake Wenatchee. This provides at least 7,000 sockeye for harvest above the natural spawning escapement goal... Full story
PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Department has scheduled a series of six "open houses" for its constituents to review and ask questions about proposed hunt recommendations for webbed migratory birds, and spring hunts for turkey, javelina, buffalo and bear. The department annually makes recommendations to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission regarding the management of game species, which establish the seasons, dates, bag limits, open areas and permit-tag allocations based on the framework o... Full story
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, in association with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, has issued a fish consumption advisory recommending that people limit consumption of channel catfish and largemouth bass caught from Bartlett Lake in Maricopa County. ADEQ is issuing this advisory because recent fish tissue samples from Bartlett Lake contained elevated levels of mercury. ADEQ recommends that adults limit consumption of channel catfish and largemouth bass to 2.4 ounces... Full story
FLAGSTAFF - Ever wonder what it be like to see hundreds of elk in one place at one time? That opportunity is possible during the annul elk viewing workshop hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Mormon Lake Lodge. Workshop presentations are scheduled for the morning on Saturday, Aug. 15. The workshop includes a presentation and a field trip to watch elk in their natural habitat near Mormon Lake, which is one of only two natural lakes found in Arizona. During the early fall, hundreds... Full story
It doesn’t take much looking across the state this month to see huge aggregations of birds – this year’s production of many migrant species that are gathering now and will be moving south soon. Some of the most obvious are swallows, which readily collect on power and telephone lines along roads in open areas where they’re swooping after insects. Earlier this summer our Snohomish Basin area habitat biologist Jamie Bails especially noticed a particular nesting colony of cliff swallows, one of... Full story
Action: Closes Black River within Grays Harbor and Thurston counties. Effective Dates: Aug. 12, 2015 until further notice. Species affected: All species. Location: Black River from the mouth upstream to Black Lake. Reason for action: Low stream flows, increased water temperatures, and higher potential encounter rates subject these fish to stress, injury, or death. Information Contact: Chad Herring, Region 6 Area Biologist 360-249 -1299. Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license,... Full story
following is a summary of Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project (Project) activities in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) in Arizona, including the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR), and New Mexico. Additional Project information can be obtained by calling (928) 339-4329 or toll free at (888) 459-9653, or by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department website at www.azgfd.gov/wolf or by visiting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at www.fws.gov... Full story
Action: Lake Wenatchee closes for sockeye salmon fishing. Effective date/time: Aug. 16, 2015, one hour after official sunset. Species affected: Sockeye salmon Location: Lake Wenatchee (Chelan Co.) Reason for action: Spring chinook listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and destined for the spawning grounds in the tributaries of the upper Wenatchee River are seeking refuge in the colder waters of Lake Wenatchee. While sufficient numbers of harvestable sockeye remain... Full story
Well, summer is finally here, we have temperatures well above 100 degrees on a daily basis. It is time to head to the lakes and rivers in the great State of Arizona. Oh, but first — • Do you have the drain plug? • Where is the registration? • Is the tank full of gas? • Have you checked the oil? • When is the last time you started the boat? • Is the battery charged? • Will the boat perform all day at the lake or will you run into problems? And, there are new laws on the books — • Who is holding... Full story
Time on Arizona's many lakes can be fun for the entire family, but great memories can only be made if that fun is done safely and responsibly. The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds boaters and water enthusiasts to constantly be mindful of their surroundings and possible dangers while on the water. "Time spent on our lakes and waterways should be a fun time for everyone," said Josh Hoffman, AZGFD Boat Safety Education coordinator. "Whether you're on a boat or in the water, everyone must... Full story
BEYOND ARIZONA – Kelsee Haws, San Tan Valley, Ariz., is one of over 20 Arizona students who took an Education First tour of the South Pacific in June. She sits on a dock of Lake Okareka, Rotorua, New Zealand, during a Duck Tour of Rotorua lakes.... Full story
Subtle changes in fishing conditions continue. Here are some of the small events that may change your fishing adventure into a successful trip. Stripers have now received that warm-water spawning trigger and most have now spawned. Female stripers caught recently had no viable eggs left in the ovary. That is important because spawning occurs at night and daytime activity is very limited. One successful report from last week indicated a good trolling pattern at night with stripers from 2-10 pounds... Full story
Tip Of The Week If you are in Apache County, don't ignore Nelson Reservoir. It's often ignored by anglers zooming to Luna, Big Lake and beyond, but it's a decent late-spring rainbow producer. It even has some crappie. And of course, Big Lake is providing some of the best fishing in the state for wild-like rainbows, cuts and brookies. The Reel Deal Trout Hot Spots Luna Lake: This 27-inch, 7.5-pound rainbow trout was recently caught. The lake has more large holdover trout. Thanks to The Friends... Full story
Do you need funding to initiate or complete a wildlife conservation-related project? Are you a teacher interested in getting children outdoors to experience nature and wildlife, but don't have the budget? Apply today for an Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage grant and a chance to support your project. Game and Fish uses some of its Heritage Fund monies that come from Arizona Lottery ticket sales to provide grants for wildlife education and research. This year, $432,000 is being offered. "... Full story
The final stocking of the season is done until September, but Arizona Game & Fish made it a big one. Please enjoy a safe and fun summer with your families. Here's the last load sheet for the season (a total of 27,300 pounds of catfish): • Tucson area -- Lakeside Lake 1,500 (pounds); Kennedy Lake 2,000; Silverbell Lake 2,500; Sahuarita Lake 2,000 • Maricopa area -- Copper Sky Lake 1,500 • Phoenix area -- Veterans Oasis Lake 1,000; Desert Breeze Lake 1,000; Kiwanis Lake 1,000; Red Mountain Lake 1,... Full story
What: Prescott's Great Outdoors - Outdoor Recreation Festival & Expo When: Saturday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Where: Watson Lake Park - 3101 Watson Lake Road Why: Please join us for the fourth year this ever-expanding event highlights the many outdoor recreational opportunities, organizations, resources, equipment, and businesses in the Quad-Cities and beyond. The event features adventure recreation, stocked fishing, educational programs, live music, an expo, a 300-foot... Full story
The wonderful thing about living in Arizona is that we have such a range of altitudes and ecosystems. When it's too cold up north, we can mess around in the desert, and when the desert is broiling, we can either keep cool at one of the desert reservoirs or head up to higher altitudes and enjoy cooler weather. We enjoyed an unseasonably cool and wonderful May, but now that June and July are here, the summer weather has fully set in. So here are my picks of the top ten ways to enjoy the summer out... Full story
The State Parks in Arizona provide many opportunities for campers. Sue Black, executive director, said, "Come out and visit your State Parks ..., whether it's for a day trip or a weekend adventure." Although there are many things you can experience at a State Park, here is a list of some fun things to do with your family: • Waterskiing at Lyman Lake State Park (St. Johns) • Camping under the Stars at Alamo Lake State Park (Wenden) • Swimming at Slide Rock State Park (Sedona) • Cave Tours a... Full story
In her article that features ten places to "Beat the Heat" during an Arizona summer, Margie Anderson notes that one of her favorites is Prescott and nearby Watson Lake. She says that although this lake has fewer trees -- and therefore less shade -- than the area's Lynx Lake, the boulders are spectacular. If only just to see them, Anderson recommends a trip to Watson Lake. Also, readers may want to add to their summer enjoyment by four-wheeling the Mingus Mountains or fishing, hiking, swimming... Full story
PHOENIX -- A heads up to those wanting to fish from shore at Bartlett Lake. Rattlesnake fishing pier in Rattlesnake Cove is closed after a weld broke earlier this week. The pier will remain closed to the public until necessary repairs can be determined. There is no estimate of how quickly the repairs can be completed to ensure the pier is safe to use again. The U.S. Forest Service is working on a solution and asks for your patience.... Full story
Action: Reopens Lake Tapps to fishing. Effective dates: June 20, 2015. Species affected: All fish. Location: Lake Tapps (Pierce County). Reason for action: Water levels are high enough to allow safe access to the lake. Information contact: Tara Livingood, WDFW area fish biologist, (360) 628-4223.... Full story
Largemouth bass fishing is a great bet at Bartlett Lake, and the dropshot technique using plastic worms is usually the most reliable method of catching these fish. Before heading out, see a video shot at Bartlett Lake with local semiprofessional angler Gary Senft on how to fish a dropshot rig using Bobber Stoppers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35ATjA3DL4g&feature=youtu.be THE REEL DEAL Let's get right to some recommended Fourth of July weekend fishing waters, starting with the high country:... Full story
Well, the BEST place to do that is right here at Bartlett Lake! Located right in the heart of the Tonto National Forest, Bartlett Lake is the second largest lake in the Phoenix Metro Valley area, with boatable surface area of 2,815 acres - bigger than Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake, combined! To make things even better, rent a ski boat or a pontoon boat! Bartlett Lake Marina offers everything you need to enjoy a day boating, skiing, camping or just relaxing under the warm Arizona sun. With a full... Full story