Fishing News

Angler’s Roundtable planned for Sierra Vista
Come join the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Region V fish program staff at the angler’s roundtable meeting in Sierra Vista from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Big 5 Sporting Goods at 135 S. Highway 92.

“This is an opportunity to find out what Game and Fish is doing, voice any concerns or questions, and talk about the angling opportunities in Southern Arizona with fellow fisherman. Hope to see you there!” said Don Mitchell, the regional fisheries program manager.

The agenda so far entails:

* Lake status: find out how all the populations of sport fish are doing in your favorite lakes.
* Arivaca Lake: reports on the creel surveys and the largemouth bass age-class study.
* Motor restriction change at Arivaca and Pena Blanca. What do the changes mean for anglers?
* Parker Canyon Lake: status of Northern Pike surveys.
* Public Input.

For more information or to request an agenda item, please contact Jason Kline at jkline@azgfd.gov or (520) 628-5376.

Take A Kid Fishing event planned for La Paz County Park
The 29th annual Take A Kid Fishing event is planned for Feb. 9 at the La Paz County Park along the Parker Strip.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is stocking the park ponds with rainbow trout for the annual event.

Everyone is invited to participate. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and fishing is from 11a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All bait and tackle will be available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Come on out.

High-flow experiment from Glen Canyon Dam proposed
An experiment using high flows from Glen Canyon Dam to study and improve Colorado River resources in the Grand Canyon National Park has been proposed by the Department of the Interior for early March.

The proposed high flow event, if approved, is not expected to negatively impact the fishery at Lees Ferry.

During the proposed high-flow experiment, the Bureau of Reclamation would release water from both the power plant and the bypass tubes to a maximum amount of approximately 41,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) for about 60 hours. If approved, current plans would call for the flows to begin increasing on March 4 with power plant bypass flows to begin on March 5. If a decision is made to move ahead with the experiment, a final release schedule will be announced.

The goal of the experiment is to better understand whether higher flows can be used to rebuild eroded beaches downstream of Glen Canyon Dam by moving sand accumulated in the riverbed onto sandbars.

Grand Canyon sandbars provide habitat for wildlife, serve as camping beaches for recreationists, and supply sand needed to protect archaeological sites. High flows also create areas of low-velocity flow, or backwaters, used by young native fishes, including the endangered humpback chub.

Outdoor exposition has a little something for everyone
Want to catch a fish, shoot a bow and arrow, and see live wildlife – including all Arizona’s rattlesnake species?

Then be sure to visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s section of the 8th annual International Sportsmen’s Expo on March 7-9 (Friday through Sunday) at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

You’ll find lots to see and do for the whole family.

Come join more than 20,000 outdoor-sports enthusiasts who will be visiting an estimated 400 exhibitors from around Arizona and the world at this fun three-day expo. There are also multiple seminar stages, contests, and a large youth outdoor sports fair.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will once again have a significant presence this year and will operate the kids fishing pond, as well as live wildlife, an archery area, and a trailer for shooting air guns.

Mark your calendar now.

ISE show hours are Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $12. Children 12 years and under receive free admission. Parking is free. Get your tickets online now! All tickets are valid for one-day admission.

For more information, visit www.sportsexpos.com.