Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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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
(Maricopa County) National Public Lands Day, a nationwide celebration of public lands, is a day that brings awareness to open space and thanks the many people for their support and hard work, including volunteers, land agencies, and outdoor-minded businesses. The event is the largest annual volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind. It brings together thousands of volunteers from coast-to-coast to refurbish and restore the lands and facilities Americans use for recreation, education, and just plain enjoyment. Lake Pleasant Regional... Full story
With the recent discovery of quagga mussels in Lake Powell, boaters leaving the northeastern Arizona lake will be required by law to pull their boat plug and decontaminate and dry their watercraft before leaving the vicinity of the lake to help prevent the spread of these invasive mussels. The requirements, which took effect July 1, are now the same as for other Arizona waters known to contain quagga mussels. These waters are listed in the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Aquatic Invasive S... Full story
Dan Turner came from the Arkansas/Missouri area in 1987. He had started there in fiberglass manufacturing, which he did for about 10 years. Turner made just about everything, including waterslides, and was one of a few not employed in a farm-related business. That was Act 1. Setting the stage for Act 2 for Turner was a request for him to do some repair work back home. His normal fee for manufacturing fiberglass items in 1985 was $12/hour, but he found that doing repairs was bringing some... Full story
(Maricopa County) Join Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department on Thursday, September 12 at 6 p.m. for an open house at Lake Pleasant Regional Park’s Operations Building as staff share the final draft of the parks Trails Master Plan. “As a fourth-generation Arizonan who has lived in the West Valley for many years, I’m really excited about this project! Currently, the park has two trails, Pipeline Canyon and Roadrunner. Combined, these trails are 2.8-miles in length. However, the dep... Full story
(Phoenix) – Beginning October 1, Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department will bring back the Buy One, Get One campaign! The campaign allows park visitors who pay the camping fee for one night, or more, at a desert mountain county park to receive one night of equal or lesser value for free at any of the county’s desert parks during that same stay. “This is the fifth year the department has offered the Buy One, Get One promotion and it is by far, one of the Parks Department’s most popu... Full story
The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department has initiated its annual fire ban as have other land-management agencies throughout Arizona. “This winter, portions of the Valley received a significant amount of rain. While the showers produced a beautiful wildflower season, they also increased fuel loads of ground coverage and brush in the parks, which intensifies the possibility of wildfires. As a precaution, the department began its annual fire ban after Memorial Day weekend,” said Maricop... Full story
You might have seen the “Don’t Move a Mussel” signs that have been at some statewide lakes. Now the Arizona Game & Fish Aquatic Invasive Species Program will be providing quagga mussel educational opportunities at Lake Pleasant, Bartlett Lake and Lake Havasu throughout the summer. In an effort to reduce the spread and introduction of this serious invasive species, the outreach efforts will encourage boaters to clean, drain and dry their boats. Remaining Sessions Following is a rundown of remai... Full story
(Morristown) – The Fourth of July is quickly approaching! Pack up the kids, neighbors and friends and make plans to witness one of the finest firework displays in the Valley at Lake Pleasant Regional Park on Wednesday, July 3rd! Better yet, make it a memorable day by adding activities such as boating, a refreshing dip in the lake or a picnic under a shaded ramada to your schedule. Later in the day, you can pick out a piece of prime real estate along the shoreline to view the one-of-a-kind lakeside fireworks display which will leave you u... Full story
Clean! Drain! Dry! The early spring discovery of 14 adult quagga mussels at Lake Powell is a crucial reminder to boaters to clean, drain and dry their boats after every use to help prevent the spread of these destructive invasive species. According to a National Park Service (NPS) mussel monitoring update, the NPS identified 14 adult quagga mussels attached to moored vessels and dock structures at the Wahweap Marina in Lake Powell. None of the adult mussels were close enough together to mate... Full story
Phoenix) – The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department will initiate its annual fire ban on Tuesday, May 28. “This winter, portions of the Valley received a significant amount of rain. While the showers produced a beautiful wildflower season, they also increased fuel loads of ground coverage and brush in the parks which intensifies the possibility of wildfires. As a precaution, the department will initiate its annual fire after Memorial Day weekend,” said Maricopa County Parks and Recre... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department and its partners are lifting some of the closures at lakes and rivers statewide that are put into place annually to help bald eagles during the breeding season. The closures at the following four sites have been removed, effective immediately, because the bald eagles in these areas failed to produce young and will not breed this late in the spring: Lake Pleasant, Verde River near Chasm Creek, Tonto Creek inlet to Roosevelt Lake, Tonto Creek from Gisela to 76... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department wants to remind all boaters, anglers, and personal watercraft users that this year’s boating season has arrived and to please exercise safe, responsible practices when on the water. Safe boating recreation is a must, and everyone should take a minute and remember to check your boats, personal watercraft and all equipment before launching at your favorite lake or waterway. Make sure you have all required safety equipment, such as proper life jackets and w... Full story
The Arizona State Parks Board approved 15 trails to the Arizona State Trails System at the March 20, 2013 Parks Board meeting. Arizona State Parks manages the Arizona State Trails System that has been established to recognize and promote non-motorized trails that are of special interest or significance to both Arizona's residents and visitors alike. Recreational trails in Arizona offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities. To provide for recognition of various types of trails, State... Full story
Coming soon: The 15th Annual Bill Luke Bass Days are set for March 15 through 17 at Lake Pleasant, Ariz. This year promises to be the best version ever with — • Six weigh-ins daily, plus • Seven pay-outs per hour, plus • Military displays, plus • Cornhole tournament, plus • Carp bow fishing, plus • Kids’ events daily, plus • Wildlife exhibits, plus, plus, plus! Amazing Prizes The biggest overall bass wins $7,000; the daily biggest bass wins $3,000, and the second biggest overall bass wins... Full story
Coming soon: The 15th Annual Bill Luke Bass Days are set for March 15 through 17 at Lake Pleasant, Ariz. This year promises to be the best version ever with — • Six weigh-ins daily, plus • Seven pay-outs per hour, plus • Military displays, plus • Cornhole tournament, plus • Carp bow fishing, plus • Kids’ events daily, plus • Wildlife exhibits, plus, plus, plus! Amazing Prizes Cash prizes total over $50,000. Among them are the biggest overall bass, $10,000; the second biggest bass overall, $3,... Full story
The 53rd Arizona Yacht Club Birthday Regatta and their 14th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta is here: Jan.18-19-20. Help fight blood cancers! Race one, two, or three days. Cruise! Party! AYC has some great improvements in store for you and your “shore party.” 1) Lower Costs: Two-day race registration last year was $80. It’s reduced to $50 this year! 2) Moving indoors: The dusty tent is gone and the Saturday night event will move indoors to the Lake Pleasant Waterfront Grille. Enjoy inside and outside waterfront seating for cocktails, dinner, and d... Full story
Are you patiently waiting for the ice to thaw or the weather to warm up so you can get your boat back on the water again? Then why not use the down time productively and take a boating-safety class conducted by your local Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla or AZGFD, the local U.S. Power Squadron, or the Lake Pleasant Sailing Club? The Coast Guard Auxiliary (as do the others above) offers numerous boating courses for the public, but you may want to go with the basic “About Boating Safely” course or... Full story
The 53rd Arizona Yacht Club Birthday Regatta and their 14th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta is just one month away: Jan.18-19-20, 2013! Help fight blood cancers! Race one, two, or three days. Cruise! Party! AYC has some great improvements in store for you and your “shore party.” 1) Lower Costs: Two-day race registration last year was $80. It’s reduced to $50 this year! 2) Moving indoors: The dusty tent is gone and the Saturday night event will move indoors to the Lake Pleasant Waterfront Grill... 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 asks outdoor recreationists to help protect important eagle breeding areas by honoring the closure of 21 areas across the state. Various land and wildlife management agencies close the breeding areas for part of the year, beginning in December, to protect the state’s 55 breeding pairs of bald eagles. Some of the closure areas are located near popular r... Full story
The 53rd Arizona Yacht Club Birthday Regatta and their 14th Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta is just two months away: Jan.18-19-20, 2013! Help fight blood cancers! Race one, two, or three days. Cruise! Party! AYC has some great improvements in store for you and your “shore party.” 1) Lower Costs: Two-day race registration last year was $80. It’s reduced to $50 this year! 2) Moving indoors: The dusty tent is gone and the Saturday night event will move indoors to the Lake Pleasant Waterfront Grill... Full story
Arizona Game and Fish Department officials have confirmed the presence of largemouth bass virus in Lake Pleasant. Lab tests on largemouth bass tissue samples collected during a routine survey in October by Arizona Game and Fish and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel showed presence of the disease in some samples. While the virus can affect largemouth bass, it doesn’t pose a risk to people and pets, and the water is safe for drinking water supply and recreation. “Largemouth bass virus is... Full story
While the majority of boaters in colder parts of the country have winterized their boats or put them into storage until spring, many still rely on their vessels for hunting, fishing or necessary transportation in cold weather, substantially increasing their risk of a deadly accident. Extra caution and preparation should be taken before heading out on the water in winter. And, although Arizona winters are mild in some parts of the state, they can be very cold in other parts. The U.S Coast Guard... Full story
The Ladies’ Day@the Lake is a day-long, sailing summit for women sponsored by Lake Pleasant Sailing Club (LPSC). It is designed to introduce women to and/or enhance their skills in recreational boating through both land-based seminars and on-the-water workshops. This third LPSC ladies’ summit is scheduled on Nov. 10 at Lake Pleasant. There will be something for every skill level. Instructors include Mike and Mary Ellen Ferring, Fran Weber (winner of the 2012 SCWSA Peggy Slater Award), Nancy Erl... Full story
After more than 22 years and 1,200-plus weeks of producing the weekly fishing report, this is my last one. I am retiring. I am truly blessed for having had such a superb readership. And such an interactive one. I truly appreciated all the e-mails and phone calls with tips and questions. It was also gratifying to meet so many of you on the lakes, at events, or in some cases, even places like the local super market. Being just an old small-town newspaper editor, I have always looked at all of you... Full story
