Category Archives: Fishing

Applications sought for Arizona Game and Fish Commission

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PHOENIX — The Governor’s Office is currently accepting applications for the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Applications must be received or postmarked no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Applications received or postmarked after the deadline will not be considered.

Governor Doug Ducey is seeking members who are well-informed and passionate about Arizona wildlife and its long-term conservation. In accordance with Arizona law, the Game and Fish Commission is required to be politically balanced and representative of all 15 counties (i.e., no more than three commissioners may be from the same political party, and no two commissioners may be residents of the same county).

Therefore, this Commission vacancy is NOT available to registered residents of Apache, Coconino, Pima, or Yuma counties. Residents of all other counties—Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yavapai—are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Interested individuals may apply by clicking here: Boards and Commissions Application.

For further information about the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and its mission, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission. Individuals also may contact the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions at (602) 542-2449.

Local sportsmen’s groups awarded $75,000 in grants

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sports-groupsPHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department has awarded $75,000 in grant funding for local sportsmen’s organizations to provide public, hands-on, mentored projects focused on the retention of new hunters and anglers.

Of 22 proposals submitted in this latest grant cycle, 16 were approved by a three-member panel that rated and scored the proposals. The grants were awarded through a competitive application process that closed July 14.

“The Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program is an investment in local organizations that, day in and day out, are teaching people how to be safe, ethical and responsible hunter-angler conservationists,” said Doug Burt, hunting and shooting sports program manager. “We wish we could fund them all, but the demand always exceeds our available funds.”

The department is committed to developing and retaining the next generation of hunter-angler conservationists. A growing body of science points to the need for multiple experiences, social support and the mentoring required to develop hunter-angler conservationists. The 16 projects approved meet those objectives.

Burt pointed out that these organizations represent the “boots on the ground,” or the backbone of wildlife conservation and habitat restoration in Arizona. Many are involved in the building of water catchments, making “wildlife-friendly” fence modifications, and reaching out to the public through advocacy and education.

The following projects have been awarded:

  • Anglers United Inc., “Just for Kids Fishing Festival,” awarded $4,500.
  • Arizona Deer Association, “ADA Youth Deer / Elk Hunters Camp,” awarded $5,513.
  • Arizona Elk Society, “AES Junior Elk Camp Units 6A/5B,” awarded $3,900.
  • Ben Avery Clay Busters, “Upland Bird Hunting for Women and Youth,” awarded $2,717.
  • CouesWhitetail.com, “2016 Women’s Javelina Hunting Camp,” awarded $4,300.
  • Desert Christian Archers, “Desert Christian Archers 2016 Javelina Camp,” awarded $4,700.
  • Kahuna Kids, “Mentoring Kids Fishing Derby,” awarded $2,368.
  • Mule Deer Foundation, “Mule Deer Foundation Youth Camps,” awarded $16,500.
  • Southern Arizona Quail Forever, “Southern Arizona Quail Forever Youth Quail Camp,” awarded $3,390.
  • Southwest Fur Harvesters, “SWFH November Youth Trappers Camp,” awarded $5,122.
  • Youth Outdoors Unlimited, “Junior Javelina, Small Game & Predator Camp Units 20C, 18B, and 16A,” awarded $3,900.
  • Youth Outdoors Unlimited, “Junior Deer / Javelina Camp Units 18B & 20C,” awarded $2,515.
  • Youth Outdoors Unlimited, “Unit 1 Squirrel Camp,” awarded $2,000.
  • Youth Outdoors Unlimited, “Wallow Fire Turkey Science and Hunting Camp Units 1 & 27,” awarded $6,575.
  • Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club, “2016 Cibola Junior Waterfowl Camp,” awarded $2,500.
  • Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club, “Youth Small Game Camp,” awarded $4,500.

To learn more about the annual Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program, as well as a listing of Outdoor Skills Network recruitment and retention events, visit www.azgfd.gov/LSG.

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for the Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program. The program is funded through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, hunt permit-tags and stamps, and is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoor recreation participation in Arizona. Game and Fish does not receive any of the state’s general funds and operates on a user-pay, public-benefit model.

Active duty military spouse now can purchase resident license

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department now offers a resident license for the taking of wildlife by the spouse of an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is permanently or temporarily stationed in Arizona.

The law becomes effective Saturday, Aug. 6.
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Licenses can be purchased at all department offices and more than 300 license dealers (PDF list) statewide, as well as online by visiting https://license.azgfd.gov/home.xhtml. If a license is purchased online, it must be printed from a home computer. The department will not mail any license purchased online.

The license also will allow the spouse of an active duty member to apply for big game hunt permit-tags as a resident. At this time, more than 300 leftover permit-tags for fall turkey in Game Management Unit 12A are available for purchase on a “first come, first served” basis at all department offices.

The current law states that a license is required by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to take, handle or possess wildlife (A.R.S. § 17-101 and A.R.S. § 17-331). A.R.S. § 17-337 allows a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty or stationed in the state to purchase a resident license permitting the taking of wildlife.

For more information, call (602) 942-3000.

ADEQ Recommends Limiting Consumption of Largemouth Bass Caught in Scott Reservoir, Navajo County

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largemouth-bass_originalPHOENIX — 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 largemouth bass caught from Scott Reservoir in Navajo County. ADEQ is issuing this advisory because recent analysis of data from fish tissue samples taken from Scott Reservoir contained elevated levels of mercury.

ADEQ recommends that adults limit consumption of largemouth bass to 2.4 ounces (uncooked weight) per week and children 12 years of age and younger limit consumption to two ounces per month (uncooked weight).

This advisory does not limit the use of this waterbody for fishing, bird watching, swimming, or other recreational uses. In general, the level of contaminants in fish is several folds higher than levels found in water.

Any health risks associated with eating fish from this advisory area are based on long-term consumption and not from eating fish occasionally. Fish are an excellent source of protein and can be an important part of a healthy, diverse diet as they are low in saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends that individuals eat at least two fish or seafood meals weekly.

Thursday is deadline to apply for Local Sportsmen’s Group grants

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds local sportsmen’s organizations that the deadline to apply for $75,000 in annual grant funding is 5 p.m. (MST) Thursday, July 14. Postmarks do not count.

The purpose of the grant program is to support organizations in providing public, hands-on, mentored projects that provide continued skill development for those who just started hunting and fishing.

The priority funding focus of this year’s grant program is on moving beginners from the recruitment stage to the retention stage of the Adoption Sequence. Projects and events that involve the pursuit or harvest of wildlife or fish with a license are being requested. Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process and must be open to the public.

To apply, download an application packet from www.azgfd.gov/LSG. Completed applications should be submitted by e-mail to: dburt@azgfd.gov. Call Doug Burt, hunting and shooting sports program manager, at (623) 236-7487 to confirm receipt.

Burt said there are many organizations that do great work, but lack the funding to carry out the important work of passing down the hunting and angling heritage to the next generation of wildlife conservationists and stewards. The Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program is the Department’s and the Commission’s commitment to the important role they play in conservation.

“Based on the developing science and data in recruitment and retention, there is a need for programs that provide beginners with the next progressive step necessary to become self-reliant as a hunter or angler,” Burt said. “Local sportsmen’s organizations offer a perfect solution because they are part of the community and can provide the continued skills and social support that beginners need.”

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for this grant program. Game and Fish does not receive any of the state’s general tax funds and operates under a user-pay, public-benefit model. The grant program is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoors recreation participation in Arizona.

To learn more about how hunters, anglers, shooters and boaters fund wildlife conservation, visit www.azgfd.gov/h_f/federal-aid-cycle.shtml.

Fish Lake Powell

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AZGFD Photo

AZGFD Photo

PAGE — Lake Powell can be an angler’s dream this time of year for striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and walleye. With around 1,750 miles of shoreline, you can sometimes go days without seeing another angler … unless you want to.

AZGFD investigation: Horseshoe Lake fish died from low oxygen levels

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PHOENIX — The significant fish die-off last week on the Verde River below Horseshoe Dam was the result of a lack of oxygen, and not because of anything found in the river, according to a water-quality investigation compiled by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

On Thursday and Friday, the Department collected water-quality samples, analyzing fish for bacteria, viruses and parasites. The fish die-off was in an area approximately 100 yards downstream from Horseshoe Dam, which is operated and managed by Salt River Project for the Bureau of Reclamation.

It is estimated that approximately 20,000 fish were killed. About 60 to 70 percent were goldfish and carp. The remaining fish species were comprised of largemouth bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, and bluegill. The Department believes that most of the fish killed were from Horseshoe Lake and that only a small fraction may have been from the Verde River below Horseshoe Dam.

On June 1, SRP began releasing approximately 1,000 cubic feet of water per second from Horseshoe Lake. SRP empties Horseshoe Lake each year to comply with the Horseshoe-Bartlett Habitat Conservation Plan (H-BHCP), which was established with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the authority of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to protect endangered species from potential impacts of SRP’s operation of Bartlett and Horseshoe dams.

Mitigation activities in the H-BHCP, including the annual rapid draw-down of Horseshoe Lake, were developed to benefit native birds, native fish and reptiles in the upper Verde River that are listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA. Specifically, the draw-down of the reservoir increases riparian nesting habitat availability for the southwestern willow flycatcher and yellow-billed cuckoo, while decreasing the numbers of non-native fish species that may compete with, or prey upon, native fish in the upper Verde River.

By June 28, the reservoir was nearly empty. As the reservoir level decreased, the fish in Horseshoe were concentrated in an increasingly smaller area. Sediment that was disturbed as the water was being drawn down consumed dissolved oxygen, resulting the low oxygen levels and causing the die-off.

As the last of the water was released from Horseshoe, the dead and dying fish were passed through the dam into the Verde River. Some of these fish may eventually drift down to Bartlett Lake.

In the meantime, it is important for anglers to remember they should not be taking these dead or dying fish.

Arizona’s Free Fishing Day means family fun

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PHOENIX — You can fish Arizona waters for free this Saturday, making this an ideal time to take the family out for some fun and relaxing outdoor recreation.

Arizona’s Free Fishing Day will be celebrated on June 4 this year as part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs June 4-12. This Saturday, no fishing licenses are required for persons fishing any public waters in Arizona.

“Whether you’re an experienced angler who wants to introduce a newcomer to the sport, or someone who’s always been interested but never took that next step, this is an ideal time to gather up some friends and family members and head out to your nearest community lake, or head up to the cooler country to fish a lake or stream,” said Nick Walter, editor of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Weekly Fishing Report.

Remember that bag limits and other fishing regulations are in full effect and must be observed on Free Fishing Days. Kids under the age of 10 can fish for free all year long in Arizona, so this special fishing license exemption day means that the older kids and parents get a free pass for the day.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will also sponsor some free fishing day clinics/events to give people the opportunity to try out this fun, family-oriented pastime. Loaner fishing rods, bait and instruction are provided for free at most of these venues.

Times and locations of the events are:

Saturday, June 4:

  • Lake Pleasant Regional Park, 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Rd., Morristown, 7-10 a.m.
  • Goldwater Lake, 2900 S. Goldwater Lake Rd., Prescott, 9 a.m. 1- p.m. The Mora National Fish Hatchery in New Mexico will be providing retired Gila trout broodstock for the clinic, and there is potential to catch a world record Gila trout. The record is 3 pounds, 7 ounces caught by Bo Nelson from Frye Mesa Reservoir on March 19, 2011.
  • Deadhorse Ranch State Park, Cottonwood, middle lagoon, 8 a.m.-noon. Entrance fees for participants are waived during this time period only. Channel catfish will be stocked prior to the event.
  • Garrett Tank, approximately 12 miles east of Seligman off of Crookton Road, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to public. No signups.
  • Dogtown Lake, 1250 Pine Top Dr., Williams, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Saturday, June 11:

Tiger trout to be stocked in Rim Lakes for Memorial Day weekend

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PINETOP — The Arizona Game and Fish Department will be stocking a hybrid trout new to Arizona, in two Arizona Rim Country lakes this week, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. Willow Springs Lake and Woods Canyon Lake will each be stocked with catchable size (8-10 inch) tiger trout the week of May 23.

The tiger trout is a brown-brook trout hybrid. As a result of this hybridization, the tiger trout will be sterile, or unable to reproduce. As tiger trout grow, their worm-like pattern becomes more distinct.

Last summer, the AZGFD obtained around 18,000 tiger trout fingerlings (3-6 inches) from Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The trout were raised at the Tonto Creek Hatchery near Payson until they grew to a catchable (at least 8 inch) size.

In addition to Woods Canyon and Willow Springs Lake being stocked with tiger trout, Becker Lake and Carnero Lake were stocked with tiger trout earlier in May. In all of these lakes, tiger trout are being stocked in addition to rainbow trout.

At Woods Canyon Lake and Willow Springs Lake, the standard bag limit of six trout in any combination applies.

At Becker Lake and Carnero Lake, special regulations apply. Becker Lake is catch-and-release only, artificial fly and lure only, and a single barbless hook. At Carnero Lake, there is a two trout daily bag limit, in any combination, and only artificial fly and lure only can be used.

“People typically fly fish for tiger trout,” said Mike Lopez, AZGFD aquatics program manager. “They’re probably more like a brown trout, so lures and flies should work well, because they actively look for prey.”

Lopez also suggests that fishing in the early morning or late in the day will be the most successful because the tiger trout will be most active at those times.

These four lakes were chosen because they are currently managed for rainbow trout sport fishing. Adding tiger trout to the lakes will add diversity and expanded opportunities to the Arizona fishing experience. Because the tiger trout are sterile, the fish won’t establish downstream and potentially impact native fish.

See more information about fishing in Arizona.

Governor signs HB 2324 as a boost to Arizona military families

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PHOENIX — A bill to allow spouses of active duty military personnel stationed in Arizona to qualify for Arizona resident hunting and fishing licenses has been signed into law. Governor Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2324: G&F; military spouses; resident licenses, sponsored by Representative Frank Pratt (LD-8, Casa Grande).

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted unanimously at their January 2016 meeting to support this expression of gratitude for the families whose service and sacrifice protect our liberties. Under current law, an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States stationed in Arizona either permanently or temporarily may purchase a resident license permitting the taking of wildlife. HB2324 now extends that privilege to their spouses as well.

“In partnership with Rep. Pratt, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Commission are proud to honor our active duty military and their spouses. We thank them, and all our veterans, for their sacrifice and service to this country.” said Commission Chairman Kurt Davis.

A valid license is required for taking wildlife, including fish, in Arizona. A resident of Arizona can enjoy the benefits of a combination Hunting and Fishing license, valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, for only $57.

In general, an Arizona resident is a person who is domiciled (claims the state of Arizona as their permanent home and principal residence) in this state for six months immediately preceding the date of application for a license, permit, tag, or stamp and does not claim residency for any purpose in another state or jurisdiction.

Through the years, the department has consistently implemented programs that provide hunting tags and opportunities for veterans, wounded warriors, and military personnel to hunt on military installations throughout AZ.

The Department also has partnered with non-profit organizations serving veterans so that unused hunting permits or tags may be donated to veterans with service-connected disabilities.