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John and I are always looking for new roads to explore in the Jeep, and this past week we found one that we could have done in the car, so I thought I'd share it, because there were plenty of interesting things to see and some incredibly beautiful areas. You could do this whole loop in one day like we did, even taking time to hop out and wander around, plus a stop for a picnic lunch. In all, we covered 286 miles from the west valley, round trip. FIRST UP: DOLL BABY RANCH ROAD I saw this road on...
Adapted From An Article By Rudri Bhatt Patel For Visit Arizona In Arizona, there are so many opportunities to get out on the water-from the lakes of the Mogollon Rim to the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Here are ten of the top spots to canoe and kayak. 1. Lake Pleasant, Morristown Lake Pleasant, located 45 minutes northwest of Phoenix, is a favorite venue for those on paddle craft. Canyons and cliffs rise over the six-mile lake, islands dot the middle of it and slot canyons hide on the... Full story
Cool, clear air. Sparkling stars on velvet sky. Heady fragrance of pine. Soft breeze. Gentle stream songs. Delicious aromas of brewing coffee, of sizzling bacon. Silence. Peace. Refreshment. These are some of the descriptors I could use as I remember my days of camping in Washington State and in Alberta, Canada. Mind you, I could also say "cold", "freezing", "chilling", but those would apply to late-season camping in the Northwest. Not here in the Southwest. In fact, generally that is one of... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has issued a Notice of Intent to Pursue Rulemaking to begin the process to amend its Article 4 rules (live wildlife) to implement the recommendations made in the recent five-year review report. The amendments proposed in the five-year review report are intended to increase the effectiveness of the rules to meet the department’s mission, ensure consistency with state and federal statutes, and to increase the clarity of the existing rules. Except for the a... Full story
Most of the trout in Arizona are stocked fish, which means that trout fishing is mostly a "put and take" game. The Arizona Game and Fish Department puts the trout in, and we take them out. Most of the fish that are stocked are small, what the Game and Fish calls "catchable" trout, but some of our lakes and streams have genuine trophy fish, and the Game and Fish Department usually throws in a couple of bigger fish in each stocking just to give you an incentive to fish. Don't miss the Arizona... Full story
From bears to bison, from trout to turkeys, from fish to falcons, our Arizona wildlife is a plethora of precious beings who share our world. Arizona Game & Fish is a major guardian of this resource, assisted by various species-specific groups and caring individuals. The Wildlife for Tomorrow's Hall of Fame each year recognizes people and organizations who have significantly cared for the environment and those who inhabit it, our wildlife. We congratulate this year's inductees and thank them... Full story
If you like bass fishing, you will love fishing for pike. Pound for pound, they are among the most aggressive fish you will ever tangle with, and they can weigh up to 40 pounds or more. Even in a state as far south as Arizona, northern pike thrive at higher elevations and provide plenty of action for anglers who would otherwise be dangling earthworms for trout. Behave Like Tigers Pike not only behave like tigers, they have a mouthful of teeth to match. The jaws, roof of the mouth, and even the...
Eight inductees to be honored Aug. 24 at the Wigwam Resort. PHOENIX - Make plans to honor your fellow conservationists at the Wildlife for Tomorrow(WFT) Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet Aug. 24 at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park. Eight new members will be inducted this year, a diverse group of experts and advocates who have made significant contributions to Arizona's natural heritage and have demonstrated passion and leadership in shaping the future of wildlife conservation in Arizona:... Full story
Fishing Tips By Chase Newlon, AZGFD R3 Coordinator The temperatures are on the rise! With that, bass and bluegill have been stocked throughout all the Community Fishing Waters. Try your luck at one of the 50+ of these waters, many of which are found within the Phoenix Metro area. Find one that is close to you here: www.azgfd.gov/community. When switching from targeting trout to fishing for largemouth bass, you will need to upsize most of your gear. A 7-foot medium power rod is a good starting... Full story
With the warmer temperatures and change of seasons, "a young man's (and woman's) fancy turns to thoughts [of fishing]". Throughout the Southwest the focus is on both fresh and salt water fishing. If you are in Arizona's high country, it's time for trout stockings; if you are in San Diego, the annual Day at the Docks celebrates the start of salt-water fishing. Whatever your preference, we wish you tight lines. And when you are on the water, salt or fresh, remember to think safety first. Our... Full story
Stockings will mark earliest Canyon, Haigler and Tonto creeks have received fish. PAYSON, Ariz. - As warmer springtime weather approaches, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) will begin its annual trout stockings a bit earlier in some waters near Payson on the Mogollon Rim. Canyon, Haigler, and Tonto creeks began receiving catchable-size rainbow trout in March. This will mark the first time these waters have been stocked this early in the traditional spring and summer stocking season.... Full story
Lakes to receive fish until July; stocking numbers to remain similar to 2023 . The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has announced waters in the Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside areas will be stocked with catchable-size trout from March to July, a change from the traditional stocking schedule of April to September. Those waters include Fool Hollow, Rainbow, Show Low, and Woodland lakes, as well as Scott Reservoir. AZGFD is expected to maintain the schedule change until at least 2026 to... Full story
"Swimbait" is a broad term – it can mean anything from a grub to a 15-inch trout imitation. They are distinct from crankbaits in design and usually in material – swimbaits tend to be made of softer stuff than crankbaits, but they are all designed to imitate some kind of baitfish. Spring is the perfect time to get acquainted with these baits if you aren't already a fan, so here are some tips to help you improve your swimbait techniques. D-Shad And Fluke Baits These little baits are all the rag... Full story
We have established fishing waters in 23 Arizona communities. Whether you are an experienced, occasional or new angler, the Arizona Community Fishing Program offers fishing opportunities that you are sure to enjoy. There are currently more than 50 city park lakes participating in the Program, a partnership between the Arizona Game and Fish Department and 23 communities across the state. Detailed maps and park-specific information on all Community Fishing waters are found in this website... Full story
Whether you're new to angling or a seasoned pro, the fishing challenges provide opportunities to pursue and catch your "big fish" and have it posted on our website. Find your challenge, see how to enter, and explore the official rules. Fishing Challenges Offered By AZGFD Bass Anglers: The Arizona Hawg Bass Challenge Arizona is home to great largemouth bass fishing! The Arizona Game and Fish Department works to provide great opportunities for anglers to catch huge largemouth bass all over the... Full story
We've said goodbye to 2023 and now is a good time to reflect on the changes that we want - or need - to make in 2024; how about adding an outdoors resolution to your list? The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) offers some simple resolutions, any one of which should be easy for an outdoors enthusiast to stick to - • Fish local. Make it a point to wet a line this year at one (or more) of the state's 50-plus waters in the Community Fishing Program that are seasonally stocked with channel c... Full story
• More revelry at the Renaissance Festival, • More safety for drivers and elk, • More awards for positive outdoor activities and supporters, • More trout in community waters, • More places to explore, and • More focus on the Second Amendment. This issue celebrates the "newsy New Year" that is ahead of us. This month the Arizona Game & Fish Commission honors those individuals who have excelled in their support for wildlife and outdoor concerns. In February, the annual chance to step back in tim... Full story
January TBA Renovations at Roadrunner Pond in Phoenix should be finishing up and refilling is expected to occur sometime in January. Eldorado Pond in Scottsdale is still undergoing renovations with no specific completion date. Trout stocking has been underway since mid October for CFP waters in Prescott Valley, Payson, Show Low, and St. Johns. Jan. 6 POLAR BEAR DAY... Website
The late Aaron Martens, Rick Clunn, Gary Dobyns, and Eddie Johns are four of the most consistently successful anglers I've ever known, but their prowess isn't due just to natural ability, although that does play a part. Aaron was known as a finesse fisherman. People used to say that Rick Clunn was the Zen master of fishing. Gary Dobyns is known as a power fisherman. You may not know Eddie Johns, but if you lived anywhere near him, you'd be familiar with his name. He dominates the tournaments in... Full story
The Isle Switch Aren't all kayaks portable? Well, yes, but not all of them fit into a backpack, pump and all, with the whole package weighing just 19 pounds! The Isle Switch is the ideal kayak/paddle board for fishermen, especially fishermen who travel or who like to fish small waters that are hard to get to. One of the features of this kayak is the flat deck – you sit on a chair that is raised from the deck and there is plenty of room and plenty of straps for your gear -- and they've e... Full story
Now that the weather is cooler, the fishing is starting to heat up! It's that time of year when cold water fishing really starts to take off, so make sure you have your gear in order. Whether you are new to fishing or are a seasoned angler, here are a few tips to make sure your gear is ready for the fall. If you are new to fishing and are looking for a rod and reel for cold water fishing, I would recommend a 7-foot, medium-power, fast-action spinning rod with a 2500-size spinning reel. This rod... Full story
Though it’s thought of as a desert state, Arizona has a surprisingly wide variety of climates that support a wide variety of wildlife from rodents to reptiles, birds and large predators be they common and familiar or the rarest and the strange. Here is information about some of the animals in Arizona. Much of Arizona’s wildlife can be found in its state parks and trails. The state parks include Catalina, Cattail Cove, Lyman Lake, Lost Dutchman, Patagonia Lake, Lake Havasu, the San Rafael Sta... Full story
You - the people, the citizens, the patriots, the Americans - all are the wind beneath our country's wings. With your loyalty and support, our eagle flies free, unencumbered by a divided citizenry, destructive politics, and weak leadership. It is up to you: Be a strong wind beneath our country's eagle or let it falter and fall. This next month on Veterans' Day, we salute those who did not let the eagle fall: our veterans. Poppies Honor Veterans - Proudly Show Your Support Pleasant Harbor... Full story
Talk about a huge win for fish and wildlife conservation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed that the Apache trout - Arizona's state fish - be removed from the federal list of Endangered and Threatened Species. PHOENIX - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) announcement proposing that Apache trout be removed from the federal list of Endangered and Threatened Species is a huge win for fish and wildlife conservation. If delisted, it would be the first native trout species... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and the nonprofit conservation organization Trout Unlimited (TU) have entered into an agreement for a co-shared position to focus on angler recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3). This is the first such shared R3 arrangement in the U.S. between a state fish and wildlife agency and a non-governmental organization (NGO) for fishing. The model has been used successfully between some wildlife agencies (including AZGFD) and NGOs (such as the... Full story