Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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When the weather starts heating up in Arizona, everyone begins to long for a large body of water to dive into. In an ideal situation, this body of water would also be beautiful and have lots of things to do and to look at. This pretty much describes Saguaro Lake in a nutshell. Now before I go getting you all excited about Saguaro, let me first tell you that Saguaro is a very popular lake and if you want to find a parking place for your boat trailer, you need to get there early. Fat Bass Add To L... Full story
Fisheries managers are seeking public input through July 25 on proposals for changing the daily catch limit on trout at Lake Roosevelt, the Columbia River reservoir in northeast Washington. The proposals are available for review on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/redband_trout/. Comments can be e-mailed to Carmen.Perez-Frayne@dfw.wa.gov. Input can also be provided at a public meeting, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.,... Full story
If you haven't already, plan to go fishing and boating this year and enjoy the water, starting with Arizona's free fishing day on June 4. Boating and fishing are fun, stress-relieving activities that you can enjoy with your family and friends anytime. Here are just a few reasons why you should get out on the water and start enjoying these activities: Connect with your family: Family fishing is a great way for family members of all ages to connect and have fun. Connect with nature: 90 percent of... Full story
Tip Of The Week From the fishing log: Around this time last year, and in similar water temperatures, the smallmouth bass bite was hot on the Parker Strip section of the Colorado River. Anglers had success on nightcrawlers and assorted soft baits. Worms were also working well for the large hybrid redears known to occupy this stretch of river. Keeping a fishing log - recording dates, times, moon phases, what bait worked (or did not work) for what species and at what water depth/temperature, etc.... Full story
Action: Increase limit to two adult spring chinook. Effective date: Immediately. Species affected: Chinook salmon. Locations: A) Below Ice Harbor Dam: Snake River from the South Bound Highway 12 Bridge near Pasco upstream about 7 miles to the fishing restriction boundary below Ice Harbor Dam; B) Below Little Goose Dam: Snake River from Texas Rapids boat launch (south side of the river upstream of the mouth of Tucannon River) to the fishing restriction boundary below Little Goose Dam. This zone... Full story
Action: Close Lake Sylvia to public fishing 12 hours prior to a scheduled kids-only fishing event. The lake will reopen to fishing by the general public at 6 a.m. on June 11, 2016. Effective dates: 6 p.m. Friday, June 10 through 6 a.m. Saturday, June 11, 2016. Location: Lake Sylvia (Grays Harbor Co.) Montesano, Washington Reason for action: This rule change is necessary to ensure a safe and successful kids fish-in event. The fish will be planted the evening prior to the event to better... Full story
Tip Of The Week At Lake Havasu, a.k.a. Arizona's West Coast, anglers can have banner days on the bedding smallmouth bass. Crappie and largemouth bass will follow with their egg protecting endeavors. (Did I say, "crappie"? Yep, and it looks like Alamo Lake is ripe to be targeted for this great-tasting fish. Just get some good advice from an area tackle shop – if you need it -- and mean business.) The Reel Deal Most bass are in pre-spawn mode in most of the desert lakes. Before recent storms, some... Full story
OLYMPIA–Trout fishing in Washington reaches full speed April 23, when several hundred lowland lakes – stocked with millions of fish – open for a six-month season. That date also marks the start of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) first lowland lake fishing derby, which runs through Sept. 6. To participate on opening weekend, Washington anglers must have an annual freshwater or combination fishing license valid through March 31, 2017. Licenses can be purchased online... Full story
Action: Open the lower Yakima River to fishing for spring chinook salmon Species affected: Chinook salmon Dates: April 29 through June 15, 2016 Location: From the Hwy. 240 bridge in Richland (river mile 2.1) to the Grant Avenue Bridge in Prosser (river mile 47.0) approximately 1,000 feet downstream of Prosser Dam. Reason for action: Yakama Nation (YN) and WDFW fishery managers are forecasting a total return of 4,610 adult spring chinook to the Yakima River in 2016 (3,100 wild and 1,510 hatchery... Full story
Action: Closes Sarg Hubbard Park Pond (Reflection Pond) to all fishing except those youths registered for the “Kids' Fish-In” event. In addition, the daily limit is reduced to two trout during the event. Effective dates: 12:01 a.m. April 20 through 4:00 p.m. April 23, 2016 Species affected: All game fish. Location: Sarg Hubbard Park Pond located on the Yakima Greenway in Yakima. Reason for action: This rule change is necessary to ensure a successful youth fishing event. Several thousand rainbow... Full story
Action: Closes Columbia Park Pond to all fishing except those youths registered for the “Special Needs Fishing Event” on Friday, May 6, or the “Kids' Fishing Day” event on Saturday, May 7. In addition, the daily limit is reduced to three trout during the events. Effective dates: 12:01 a.m. May 4, to 3:00 p.m. May 7, 2016. Species affected: All game fish. Location: Columbia Park Pond located within Columbia Park in Kennewick. Reasons for action: This rule change is necessary to ensure success... Full story
The Reel Deel Bass Action Look for the bass action to get even better at some our pristine lakes in the desert. Apache, Canyon and Saguaro all have been stocked with rainbow trout throughout the winter, so throwing some trout-imitation swim baits can produce some trophy bass. With an onset of warmer-than-average temperatures, more bass have ventured into shallower waters in a pre-spawn mode (certainly at Roosevelt and likely Saguaro, too) and are willing to chase crankbaits, spinnerbaits and cha... Full story
For more than 20 years, the Heritage Fund has made a difference not just to wildlife conservation efforts, but also to the state's economy, public access, environmental education and outdoor recreation. Passed by voters as a ballot initiative in 1990 by a 2-1 ratio, the fund provides up to $10 million each year from Arizona lottery proceeds to the Arizona Game and Fish Department for the conservation and protection of the state's wildlife and natural areas. Protect, Provide, Educate The... Full story
Tip Alamo Lake can be a crappie hot spot this time of the year. Heavy rains might delay the great winter crappie bite, but it bodes well for the lake's productivity. Catfishing can still be excellent. These voracious channel catfish at Alamo routinely feed on shad. Try live minnows on the bottom or drop-shot style just off the bottom. The Reel Deal Water temperatures across the state have dropped to their winter standards, and rain and snow has slowed or stalled driving in the high country. Be... Full story
Temperatures are warming, birds are singing and the lower Columbia River will soon be teeming with spring chinook salmon. Spring is still a ways off, but February offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. State fishery managers expect about 299,000 adult spring chinook to the Columbia River this year. The fishery is open now below the Interstate 5 Bridge, but it usually doesn’t catch fire until March when fishing expands upriver to Bonneville Dam and beyond. For information about the... Full story
Bob Rich is a storyteller. Many people know this about Rich through his nearly three decades-old friendships made in the course of fishing across the globe and through his books. As a gentleman angler, a competitor, guest lecturer, fly-fishing partner, a sponsor, an IGFA board member, a benefactor for numerous causes, a multi-event host or sharing a drink and humor with him dockside, Rich can weave a story. The author of four popular non-fiction books, he now takes on the role of a raconteur in... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is launching a new program to encourage anglers to learn more about trout fishing in Arizona. The Arizona Trout Challenge Program is an incentive program that highlights the state's unique species, waters, and fishing opportunities. Any angler completing the Challenge will receive a certificate featuring the species caught along with the date and location. In addition, the first group of anglers to complete the Challenge will receive other items that may... Full story
In Arizona, winter doesn't have to mean sending boats and rods and reels into hibernation. While outdoor recreation opportunities across many U.S. states shut down during the season of freeze, Arizona rolls on with trout stockings and water temperatures just warm enough to convince fish to bite during the holidays. Although fishing tends to slow a tad this time of the year, there are some spots that are winter-friendly. Here, then, in no particular order, are the Arizona Game and Fish Department... Full story
In October, the Arizona Deer Association held a youth camp. I was privileged to be part of that event and it certainly proved to be eye opening for a lot of kids under the age of 18. Through the big-game-draw system here in Arizona there are tags that are allocated specifically for youths under the age of 18. In many instances, these are first-time hunters and in some instances, they do not have a mentor or knowledge of the area where the hunt is being held. Courtesy of a grant from Arizona... Full story
Tip Of The Week Silver Creek near Show Low is a spring creek that comes out of the ground at a constant temperature and does not freeze in the winter. Catch-and-release fishing for big rainbow trout with artificial lure and flies, with single barbless hooks, will continue through the winter. The Reel Deal Fishing, hunting, football, campfires, and possible "cast-n-blast" adventures (it's quail season!) - this is our cool wave of fall perfection. It also signals the return of trout to our... Full story
Yes, the sparkle of freshly fallen snow and the crispness of the brisk winter air are beautiful. These are elements of the season that we can see and feel and touch. However, there is much more beauty - that of the meaningful celebrations of Christmas, Chanukah, the New Year, and the gatherings of family and friends. This is a refreshing time, a season to be thankful for memorable, treasured moments of the past year and to be hopeful for the new beginnings possible in the future. We at Arizona... Full story
Action: Lifts closures in the Yakima Basin. Effective date: Immediately. Species affected: All game fish (trout, whitefish, etc.). Locations: Ahtanum Creek, including the North Fork and Middle Fork Little Naches River Teanaway River, including the West, Middle and North forks Reason for action: Cooler weather and recent precipitation have increased flows in these tributaries eliminating the need for the drought-related fishing closures adopted in mid-July. Additional Information: The fishing sea... Full story
Every angler loves to get fishing gear as a gift, but if you're not a fisherman yourself, it can be difficult to pick out something useful and appropriate. A great gift for a bass angler is not necessarily a great gift for a trout fisherman or a crappie angler. So here are some ideas specific to what your angler loves to fish for. Bass Anglers Savage Gear won best of show for their 3D shrimp at ICAST this year, and they have other 3D lures as well. One thing that works particularly well for big... Full story
BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. –– Game and Fish and Mohave County are planning a "Welcome Back the Trout" day on Nov. 21 to commemorate the return of this popular sport fish. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Davis Camp in Bullhead City. Fish will be stocked prior to the event. This will be the second year of trout stockings since the Willow Beach Hatchery ceased stockings from November of 2013 to October of 2014. During the clinic hours, individuals may fish without a license. Walmart a... Full story
Cooler temperatures have finally come back, which means it's time to switch to trout stocking. The week of Nov. 2 included our final catfish stockings for the season. We will resume stocking catfish next March. Our first trout stocking into core waters is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16. See the schedule. Due to some necessary scheduling changes with the vendors, we'll be stocking some of the core waters on Monday, and the rest of the waters on Wednesday. The first stocking of the season is the on... Full story
