Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 276 - 300 of 334
All lakes were stocked again with channel catfish the week of Sept. 30 – Oct. 5. Fishing for catfish is good to excellent now that the fall stockings have resumed. The Sept. 19 stocking was loaded with incentive-size catfish in the 3-8 pound range. Mornings and evenings are the best times because catfish prefer to feed under dim or dark conditions. Top baits for catfish have been stink baits, shrimp and worms fished on the bottom in the deeper lake sections. Use smaller sinkers and 8-pound t... Full story
Many hunters, anglers and other outdoor recreationists have been wondering how the current federal government shutdown, which began Oct. 1, will impact their upcoming outings. Despite closures by federal land management agencies of their administrative offices and some controlled access points and facilities, there are numerous opportunities available to Arizonans for outdoor recreation. Please keep in mind that, with regard to federal lands, official information on closures is the responsibilit... Full story
Margie Anderson is a Charter, Voting member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association and an active member of Western Outdoor Writers. She has been writing for magazines and newspapers in the west since 1990 and is a native of Arizona. Margie's father was an Ojibwa Indian who took her hunting and fishing with him almost as soon as she could walk. She lives in Phoenix with her husband John and a dynamite French Brittany Spaniel named Rosie. Rosie also hunts and fishes, and she keeps an eye... Full story
Widespread rains across the state have helped drop lake water temperatures. Look for fish to get active once again, assuming this typical pattern holds true. We'll see. Lake Pleasant The top-water striper bite at Lake Pleasant is picking up. Get there at first light or you might miss the boils. Cover lots of water and look for birds or surface activity. Try top-water lures, jerkbaits and flies. (Zara Spook Juniors and buzzbaits tend to be successful this time of the year.) Roosevelt Lake The...
The colors will be changing and the fall fishing could be at its best as 25 guided boats and 50 anglers take to two scenic rivers for the 10th annual Rocky Mountain Fly Celebrity Classic, Sept. 26-28, for rainbow and brown trout. “It’s part of the Redbone@Large Celebrity Tournament Series, helping fund medical researchers “to catch the cure for CF,” said tournament host Mark Cooper. “We’re in Aspen and Basalt, the heart of the Rockies, floating the famous Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers.” Co... Full story
South Florida is in a transition period as we move out of our summer pattern and into the beginnings of Fall. If you have been keeping up with my fishing reports you have noticed that this has been one of the weirdest summers in a long time when it comes to fishing and weather. And this has not been a good thing! Even though we have had some outstanding fishing adventures the weather has kept us at the dock and off the water more than usual. Almost every fishing guide has been eagerly waiting... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently approved 12 amendments to Commission Order 40 (fish regulations) that are expected to conserve sport fish populations and simplify and streamline regulations. The amendments will take effect Jan. 1, 2014. One amendment of particular benefit to anglers is a change in the statewide possession limit to twice the daily bag limit, applying to all statewide and special regulation seasons. The regulation will now give the angler the ability to continue... Full story
Columbia River Zone News: Beginning Jan. 1, 2013 the Columbia River, and select tributaries (listed under regulation updates for Northwest Zone and Willamette Zone) will be restricted to barbless hooks when fishing for salmon, steelhead and trout. SALMON, STEELHEAD, and SHAD FALL SEASON (August 1-December 31) All Permanent Regulations apply unless noted otherwise. See 2013 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Buoy 10 upstream to Tongue Point/ Rocky Point (Buoy 10 line... Full story
OLYMPIA - Anglers will soon have an opportunity to catch large trout this summer in Beaver Lake near Issaquah, thanks to the release of about 1,200 hatchery rainbows averaging about one pound each. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is scheduled to release the fish Aug. 20. To facilitate fish planting, the agency will close the Beaver Lake access site at sunset on Aug. 19 and reopen the site at sunrise on Aug. 21. Beaver Lake, however, will remain open to fishing while the acc... Full story
Lake surface temperature and lake level are declining. Cool monsoon weather patterns are adding much-needed rainwater to the lake but not enough to keep the lake from declining one foot per week. Fishing success for stripers on anchovy bait and smallmouth on plastic bait is still exceptional. Adult stripers are holding at about 30 feet where cooler temperatures make life more pleasant for these hungry fish. Add some anchovy chum to the water and stripers come running. Best fishing spots are... Full story
Fishing for catfish is slow at all Urban Fishing waters statewide through the summer (no stocking period). For holdover catfish, try the larger lakes of more than 5 acres. Some catfish and bass are being caught, but it takes persistence and some good timing in the early morning and evening hours. Fishing has been good all summer for the plentiful bluegill that frequent the shoreline areas in search of food. Mealworms fished on the bottom or a few feet under a bobber can catch sunfish throughout... Full story
Did you know that — • There are now a total of 21 lakes in the Program located in 11 cities. More lakes are expected to join the Program over the next few years. • The $18.50 Class U (Urban) fishing license fee is the same price for non-residents too. • The Class L, Super Conservation Fishing license is also valid at Program waters. This new combo license includes the Class A state fishing license, the Class U urban fishing license and the Trout Stamp packaged together for $53, a savings of $5 f... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has added largemouth bass virus (LMB virus), whirling disease and all snakehead fish to the Director’s Orders aquatic invasive species (AIS) list. LMB Virus LMB virus, which primarily affects adult largemouth and smallmouth bass during the summertime, has been discovered at Lake Pleasant (Maricopa County Parks) and Bartlett, Saguaro, and Roosevelt lakes on the Tonto National Forest. All watercraft users leaving those lakes will now be required by law to c... Full story
What you will see below this paragraph is what the fishing and conditions were a week ago. All of that has changed!The past two days I had the opportunity to fish and dive alongside my son Zach who is back from his 60 days of work in Australia. Every two months he returns for 30 days and I try to get on the water with him as much as I can. On Thursday we headed out into Biscayne Bay around 10 AM and found many schools of bait that we were able to catch easily with my Lee Fisher nets. I was... Full story
Labor Day weekend trout fishing Several water bodies throughout the state area being stocked with trout this week in anticipation of the Labor Day holiday weekend. Check out the zone reports, or visit the trout stocking page to see where fish area being stocked. Archery seasons continue Remember errors in the regulations on Chesnimnus bag limit, traditional equipment only area: On page 51, the “Traditional Archery Equipment Only” restriction should not be in the Columbia Basin, Biggs, Hood and M... Full story
Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, barbless hooks will be required from the mouth to the 99E Bridge when fishing for salmon, steelhead and trout. SANDY RIVER Effective February 28, 2013 angling for sturgeon, including catch and release, is prohibited in the Sandy River. WILLAMETTE RIVER, Mouth to Willamette Falls, including Multnomah Channel Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, barbless hooks will be required from the mouth to Willamette Falls, including the Multnomah Channel and Gilbert River, when fishing for... Full story
With catfish stockings at all Phoenix and Tucson urban waters on hold during the summer months, fishing becomes more challenging, requiring anglers to be adaptable, patient and persistent. Plenty of wily catfish still lurk the depths of the lakes, especially larger lakes of more than 4 acres. Catfishing is fair for anglers using worms, stink baits, or shrimp fished on the bottom. Catfish can be caught throughout the day, but are most active when the sun goes down. Most catfish are from 14-18 inc... Full story
Tip Of The Week Remember that at Blue Ridge (C.C. Cragin) there is no bag or possession limit. The road is open and SRP has begun to draw the lake down for necessary repairs to the dam and associated piping. There have been reports of some nice holdover trout being caught. The lake will not be stocked this year due to plans to drain the lake for repairs. The Reel Deal Trout fishing is only picking up with monsoon activity. Many high country fisheries are scheduled to be stocked this week. But,... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is considering changes to the fishing regulations and is continuing its series of public meetings to provide information. The remaining meetings are — . • July 19, 6 p.m., Arizona Game and Fish Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road. • July 19, 6 p.m., Arizona Game and Fish Pinetop regional office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd. Meetings were previously held in Flagstaff, Mesa, Yuma and Tucson. In addition, the public can also submit written comme... Full story
The collaborative efforts of multiple natural resource agencies to protect Gila trout and other native fish populations after last year's devastating Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire in New Mexico were recognized with the 2012 Region 2 Recovery Champion Award. Recovery Champions are U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and their partners whose work in advancing the recovery of endangered and threatened species of plants and animals. The award was presented to the Gila trout and Chihuahua Recovery... Full story
Action: Lake Wenatchee opens for sockeye salmon fishing. Effective date/time: Aug. 3, 2013, (one hour before official sunrise) until further notice. Species affected: Sockeye salmon Daily limit: Two sockeye, 12 inches in length or greater. Location: Lake Wenatchee (Chelan Co.) Reason for action: To date, more than 27,000 fish have made passage at Tumwater Dam on the Wenatchee River. About 30,000 total sockeye are projected with 7,000 estimated to be available for harvest above the natural... Full story
Warmwater fishing While trout fishing has slowed in many locations due to high air and water temperatures, warmwater fish like bass, bluegill and yellow perch continue to offer opportunities for good fishing. Our warmwater fishing webpage is a great place to get started, and you’ll find the latest condition updates here in the Recreation Report. Head out to the high lakes With temperatures high now might be a good time to head out to Oregon’s high mountains. Many mountain lakes available for... Full story
Arizona State Parks' headquarters is now "Camping Central." Arizonans are welcome to stop by and pick up a bag of brochures, maps and information about all the facilities where you can camp, hike, fish, have reunions, weddings, special events and business retreats. There are more than 1,000 campsites, so whether you are a tent camper, RV camper or need a nice cozy camping cabin or yurt, our customer service representatives will help visitors find the best place to camp and give everyone a state... Full story
Anglers are invited to take advantage of unlimited bag and possession limits for trout at C.C. Cragin (Blue Ridge Reservoir) until April 1, 2014. Because the Salt River Project is pumping water from C.C. Cragin until Nov. 1, there is a potential fish kill due to the lower water levels. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently approved a new regulation to give the public an opportunity to fish for these trout as the water is drawn during the summer and trout become more vulnerable to being... Full story
Tip Of The Week If you're bass fishing and having a hard time with standard techniques such as the dropshot or Texas rig, try something a little different: Flick-shaking. This method can include a 1/16-ounce jig hook, and a 5 ½-inch flick shake worm (made by Jackall or Bass Pro Shops). Hook the worm right in the middle so that it’s whacky style. Try a spinning rod and 8-pound test line. As the jig sinks, pull up a bit to see if a bass is hitting the worm on the fall. Once the bait hits the bo... Full story
