Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 75
Sun sweats, triple-digit fidgets, dog days -- they seem to make most outdoors lovers crave cool times in the high country. Some of the best family camping and fishing options include waters with stocked or self-sustaining fish, quality camping amenities, and striking scenery. Those factors were used by AZGFD fishing report editors and regional staff to determine this list. Be sure to check the latest fire restrictions. It's a good idea to reserve a campground in advance if possible, but if... Full story
This Is A Seriously Fun Trip Living in Phoenix means that it is too darn hot to ride around in the desert in the summer, at least for me – and I'm a native. So when the temperatures get into the hundreds, we take to the hills like a lot of folks in Arizona. A couple of weeks ago we took what we call a "truck trip" – that means a road trip that doesn't require the side by side, so if it involves dirt roads, they are usually pretty tame. This trip was one I really enjoyed because we saw a lot of c... Full story
Ceremonial Pads at Watson and Goldwater Lakes For many years, some engaged couples have chosen to hold their wedding ceremonies and receptions at one of Prescott's lakes. To facilitate these and other ceremonies and various celebrations, the City has built two ceremonial pads, at Goldwater and Watson Lakes. In 2014, the first ceremonial pad (capacity 100) was built at Goldwater Lake0. Located in Prescott National Forest, this facility sits between two ramadas, Lakeview and Pinetop (capacity 100... Full story
Monday and Tuesday, May 6-7, 2019 PHOENIX, May 3, 2019-For Immediate Release. Tonto National Forest fire specialists will conduct prescribed fire treatments on approximately 820 acres northeast of Payson, starting on Monday, May 6, and continuing through Tuesday, May 7, 2019. The treatment area is located six miles north of Young, three miles south of Colcord Estates, and west of Forest Road 512, commonly referred to as the Young Road. Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see and... Full story
Stay on trails and avoid wet, muddy areas. While it's tempting to head out on an off-highway vehicle (OHV) following rain or a snowstorm, soggy trails quickly turn muddy, and riding on them can create long-lasting damage that negatively impacts wildlife habitat. Turn Around The Arizona Game and Fish Department advises OHV riders that come upon wet and muddy roads to resist the urge to hit the gas and instead turn around or avoid the area. Splashing or mudding straight through can tear up roads...
Outdoor recreationists, pilots and drone operators asked to avoid bald eagle nest areas. Arizona's bald eagle breeding season is on the horizon and multiple public land and water areas will be closed to protect the majestic animals and ensure even more young eagles take to the skies this spring. Highly Successful Program Each year as part of its highly successful program to conserve and protect bald eagles in the state, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) asks outdoor recreationists, ai... Full story
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
Operate Responsibly; Don't Go Mudding On Your OHV While it may be tempting to go out on an off-highway vehicle (OHV) after a rainstorm when the temperature is cooler and the ground is fresh, doing so can cause long-lasting damage to the habitat. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) advises that OHV operators turn around if they encounter wet and muddy roads. While the practice of "mudding" - purposefully driving through wet areas, whether it's a meadow, lakeshore or water tank for... Full story
At the beginning of June, officials at the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) predicted the state would see a lot of nuisance bears entering populated areas in search of easy food. That forecast proved accurate, as the state wildlife agency dealt with more than 200 reports of bear activity from more than 50 Arizona communities between June 1-30. Remove Bear Attracters While bear calls also were received by County Sheriff's offices, state and local police, and Tribal law enforcement and... Full story
Wayne Gustaveson has shared this photo of Sharon Hunt who completed her week-long fishing trip to Lake Powell after catching a mixed bag of striped bass, walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass. Her expression makes a good point: Now's a great time to go fishing - and to cool off in the process at one of the Southwest's northern lakes. Even right at home, the Community Fishing Program offers some great fun for the kids and their families. In our "Tackle & Target" section of this issue, reel-in... Full story
Each year as part of its highly successful program to manage and conserve bald eagles in the state, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) asks outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders to help this magnificent bird in Arizona. Various land and wildlife management agencies close areas around breeding locations during the birds' breeding season to protect the state's 67 breeding pairs of bald eagles. Some closure areas are located near popular... Full story
Wear a life jacket when fishing from a boat in cold water - it could save your life, plus here are some good catching tips to snag a keeper this fall/winter. Nearly one-third of Arizona's boaters say fishing is their favorite activity to do while boating, and for many, fall is an ideal time of year to go out in search of that state record bass (or trout or catfish or ...). But, as the weather cools down, so does the water temperature. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that cold-water immersion and hy... Full story
Willow Lake Loop Trail: Arizona's Newest Premier Trail Recently named an Arizona State Premier Trail by Arizona State Parks, Willow Lake Loop is a must-do hike. This trail covers rocky steep terrain, moderate terrain and some relatively flat terrain. On the western shore, the trail is clearly mellow and rambling with a wide flat trail, grassy expanses, and reflective lake views. The eastern shore, by contrast, is rambunctious and playful with billowing boulders to scramble over, small hidden... Full story
Before you know it, the holidays will be upon us and we'll all be scrambling to find the perfect gift for the people we love. If someone you love also loves the outdoors, here are some ideas that are sure to please. Good Maps Are Essential Build Your Own Whether your passion is fishing, hiking, hunting, off-roading, RV-ing, or geocaching, good maps are essential. The best way to get the perfect map is to visit MyTopo.com and build your own. These are especially great for hunters because you can... Full story
Last month, when I was writing about Grandparents' Day, I mentioned that we take our granddaughters on a big road trip/hiking trip every year. In between, we take a day now and then and just go to a small town or great place nearby. Since we've been doing these trips, small and big, for nearly two decades now, we've discovered some secrets to making every trip memorable and fun. Know Your Audience What is fun to a 5-year-old is not necessarily fun for an 18-year-old. What is safe for an 18-year-... Full story
Sunday, Sept. 10 is Grandparents' Day, and this year, we salute Marge and John Anderson who have shared the wonders of outdoors with their granddaughters for over two decades (and loved every minute of their times together). When we found out that our son and daughter-in-law were expecting their first baby, I quit my job so I could stay home and take care of her. Since the day she was born, Trinity has been the joy of my life. Then, three years later, Emily joined us, and brought us even more... Full story
At 5000 feet, Payson stays quite a bit cooler than Phoenix in the summer. Temperatures may reach the mid 90s, but if you're in a shady forest, it seems a lot cooler. We love to go to Payson, and started taking the granddaughters there years ago. There are plenty of good hotels and lots of great places to eat in Payson and the surrounding area, and there are great hikes as well. Tonto Natural Bridge One of the places near Payson that we love the most is Tonto Natural Bridge. It's actually more... Full story
PHOENIX -- To protect large fish that are targeted by tournament anglers, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has requested that the USDA Forest Service temporarily suspend angler tournaments from Apache, Canyon and Saguaro Lakes until environmental conditions improve. Golden alga blooms have developed over large portions of Saguaro and Apache Lakes. Golden alga produces a toxin (prymnesin) that affects any organism with gills. Currently, the primary species that is being affected is threadfin... Full story
To protect large fish that are targeted by tournament anglers, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has requested that the USDA Forest Service temporarily suspend angler tournaments from Apache, Canyon and Saguaro Lakes until environmental conditions improve. Golden Alga Blooms Golden alga blooms have developed over large portions of Saguaro and Apache Lakes. Golden alga produces a toxin (prymnesin) that affects any organism with gills. Currently, the primary species that is being affected is... Full story
They are man-made homes for fish, some made of concrete, others of PVC, and like building a neighborhood, provide the architecture for sustainable life. The first step in placing fish habitat into the Central Arizona reservoirs took place on Thursday, April 20 at Roosevelt Lake with Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists dropping Fishiding HighRise structures made of environmentally safe PVC to the bottom of Roosevelt Lake. These recycled items, 8 feet tall and excellent habitat for... Full story
In first phase of long-term project on Tonto National Forest lakes, AZGFD biologists sink fish habitat structures. PHOENIX – They are manmade homes for fish, some made of concrete, others of PVC, and like building a neighborhood, provide the architecture for sustainable life. The first step in placing fish habitat into the central Arizona reservoirs took place on Thursday, April 20 at Roosevelt Lake with Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists dropping Fishiding HighRise structures made o... Full story
Conclusive evidence of quagga mussels has recently been discovered at Canyon, Saguaro and Apache lakes, major recreational waters on the Tonto National Forest. The Arizona Game and Fish Department listed these lakes as AIS-affected waters under AIS Directors Orders #2 at the beginning of May. There is not an infestation of quaggas at Apache, Saguaro or Canyon. Yet there is genetic and visual evidence in all these waters of the invasive quaggas that colonize rapidly on hard surfaces and can ruin... Full story
Many find it hard to believe that sailing is even available in Arizona, much less that it is so popular. Yes, the Desert Southwest even has sailing clubs, yacht clubs, and many sailing courses and activities - for all ages and skill levels. Forget the sand and set your sails this summer! We thank Ed and Debbie Huntsman for the cover photo of their boat Bliss who called Arizona home for many years but now plies the waters on Lake Ponchatrain in Louisiana where Ed is now Boating Safety Program... Full story
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
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
