Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Lakes to receive fish until July; stocking numbers to remain similar to 2023 . The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has announced waters in the Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside areas will be stocked with catchable-size trout from March to July, a change from the traditional stocking schedule of April to September. Those waters include Fool Hollow, Rainbow, Show Low, and Woodland lakes, as well as Scott Reservoir. AZGFD is expected to maintain the schedule change until at least 2026 to... Full story
"Swimbait" is a broad term – it can mean anything from a grub to a 15-inch trout imitation. They are distinct from crankbaits in design and usually in material – swimbaits tend to be made of softer stuff than crankbaits, but they are all designed to imitate some kind of baitfish. Spring is the perfect time to get acquainted with these baits if you aren't already a fan, so here are some tips to help you improve your swimbait techniques. D-Shad And Fluke Baits These little baits are all the rag... Full story
We have established fishing waters in 23 Arizona communities. Whether you are an experienced, occasional or new angler, the Arizona Community Fishing Program offers fishing opportunities that you are sure to enjoy. There are currently more than 50 city park lakes participating in the Program, a partnership between the Arizona Game and Fish Department and 23 communities across the state. Detailed maps and park-specific information on all Community Fishing waters are found in this website... Full story
Whether you're new to angling or a seasoned pro, the fishing challenges provide opportunities to pursue and catch your "big fish" and have it posted on our website. Find your challenge, see how to enter, and explore the official rules. Fishing Challenges Offered By AZGFD Bass Anglers: The Arizona Hawg Bass Challenge Arizona is home to great largemouth bass fishing! The Arizona Game and Fish Department works to provide great opportunities for anglers to catch huge largemouth bass all over the... Full story
We've said goodbye to 2023 and now is a good time to reflect on the changes that we want - or need - to make in 2024; how about adding an outdoors resolution to your list? The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) offers some simple resolutions, any one of which should be easy for an outdoors enthusiast to stick to - • Fish local. Make it a point to wet a line this year at one (or more) of the state's 50-plus waters in the Community Fishing Program that are seasonally stocked with channel c... Full story
• More revelry at the Renaissance Festival, • More safety for drivers and elk, • More awards for positive outdoor activities and supporters, • More trout in community waters, • More places to explore, and • More focus on the Second Amendment. This issue celebrates the "newsy New Year" that is ahead of us. This month the Arizona Game & Fish Commission honors those individuals who have excelled in their support for wildlife and outdoor concerns. In February, the annual chance to step back in tim... Full story
January TBA Renovations at Roadrunner Pond in Phoenix should be finishing up and refilling is expected to occur sometime in January. Eldorado Pond in Scottsdale is still undergoing renovations with no specific completion date. Trout stocking has been underway since mid October for CFP waters in Prescott Valley, Payson, Show Low, and St. Johns. Jan. 6 POLAR BEAR DAY... 
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The late Aaron Martens, Rick Clunn, Gary Dobyns, and Eddie Johns are four of the most consistently successful anglers I've ever known, but their prowess isn't due just to natural ability, although that does play a part. Aaron was known as a finesse fisherman. People used to say that Rick Clunn was the Zen master of fishing. Gary Dobyns is known as a power fisherman. You may not know Eddie Johns, but if you lived anywhere near him, you'd be familiar with his name. He dominates the tournaments in... Full story
The Isle Switch Aren't all kayaks portable? Well, yes, but not all of them fit into a backpack, pump and all, with the whole package weighing just 19 pounds! The Isle Switch is the ideal kayak/paddle board for fishermen, especially fishermen who travel or who like to fish small waters that are hard to get to. One of the features of this kayak is the flat deck – you sit on a chair that is raised from the deck and there is plenty of room and plenty of straps for your gear -- and they've e... Full story
Now that the weather is cooler, the fishing is starting to heat up! It's that time of year when cold water fishing really starts to take off, so make sure you have your gear in order. Whether you are new to fishing or are a seasoned angler, here are a few tips to make sure your gear is ready for the fall. If you are new to fishing and are looking for a rod and reel for cold water fishing, I would recommend a 7-foot, medium-power, fast-action spinning rod with a 2500-size spinning reel. This rod... Full story
Though it’s thought of as a desert state, Arizona has a surprisingly wide variety of climates that support a wide variety of wildlife from rodents to reptiles, birds and large predators be they common and familiar or the rarest and the strange. Here is information about some of the animals in Arizona. Much of Arizona’s wildlife can be found in its state parks and trails. The state parks include Catalina, Cattail Cove, Lyman Lake, Lost Dutchman, Patagonia Lake, Lake Havasu, the San Rafael Sta... Full story
You - the people, the citizens, the patriots, the Americans - all are the wind beneath our country's wings. With your loyalty and support, our eagle flies free, unencumbered by a divided citizenry, destructive politics, and weak leadership. It is up to you: Be a strong wind beneath our country's eagle or let it falter and fall. This next month on Veterans' Day, we salute those who did not let the eagle fall: our veterans. Poppies Honor Veterans - Proudly Show Your Support Pleasant Harbor... Full story
Talk about a huge win for fish and wildlife conservation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed that the Apache trout - Arizona's state fish - be removed from the federal list of Endangered and Threatened Species. PHOENIX - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) announcement proposing that Apache trout be removed from the federal list of Endangered and Threatened Species is a huge win for fish and wildlife conservation. If delisted, it would be the first native trout species... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and the nonprofit conservation organization Trout Unlimited (TU) have entered into an agreement for a co-shared position to focus on angler recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3). This is the first such shared R3 arrangement in the U.S. between a state fish and wildlife agency and a non-governmental organization (NGO) for fishing. The model has been used successfully between some wildlife agencies (including AZGFD) and NGOs (such as the... Full story
Hello FishAZ Network, With cooler weather just around the corner, I hope you are all finding some time to get out on the water! FishAZ Network Update Thanks to the help of all of our partners (you), we have had an exciting few months here with the Fishing R3 Program and would like to give you all an update! We hired and onboarded Alec Young, our new Angling R3 Coordinator shared position with Trout Unlimited. This position is the first of its kind in the Nation and is modeled after the... Full story
John and I and Mochi took a fun ride up in the cool pines the other day – it wasn't a ride packed with things to see, but it did take us past Marshall Lake, Upper and Lower Lake Mary, Mormon Lake, and Stoneman Lake – all of which are currently chock full of water! You will need a high-clearance vehicle for this drive, and I'm thinking it could get iffy after a big rain. I'm an Arizona native, but this is the first time I've ever seen water in Stoneman Lake, and the first time I remember see... Full story
These Five Are The State's Representatives Though it's thought of as a desert state, Arizona has a surprisingly wide variety of climates that support a wide variety of wildlife from rodents to reptiles, birds and large predators be they common and familiar or the rarest and the strange. Here is information about some of the animals in Arizona. Official State Bird Arizona's state bird is the cactus wren. This bird is only found in the deserts of the southwest and upper Mexico. It's the United... Full story
Bait Finesse System 101 Get Hooked On This System (originally published on Bassresource.com) The Bait Finesse System uses very small and light baitcasting rods and reels and it's gaining popularity with bass fishermen everywhere. But John and I love it for trout fishing on the small forest lakes and even in streams – we're long-time bass anglers who are more comfortable with baitcasting gear than a fly rod or a spinning rod. Ideal For Panfish The BFS method is ideal for trout and other p... Full story
If you're looking for a cool getaway in Arizona that is a bit off the beaten path (and therefore not quite so packed with human beings), you should give the Pinaleno Mountains a try. There are lots of excellent hiking trails, a lake to fish in, and plenty of good campgrounds whether you favor a tent or an RV. The tallest peak is over 10,000 feet, and you may be familiar with the name – Mt. Graham: the mountain with the famous protected red squirrels. The Pinalenos are one of the "sky islands i... Full story
The legend is that an angler eating lunch on the lake accidently dropped a spoon overboard. As he watched the silver spoon drift downward, sun glinting off the handle and bowl, he saw a fish dart out and try to eat it.A typical angler, this guy was inventive and always looking for a new bait, so he went home, sawed some spoons up, and put hooks and a place to tie the line on them. Voila! A new killer lure is born! Large Variety Today's spoons are usually store-bought. Some of the spoons are just... Full story
Wow, where do I start? You all are amazing. Thank you for an incredible, productive, informative, collaborative and engaging experience - again! By the Numbers: 35 Total Attendees (including AZGFD staff) 18 Unique Organizations (but more, given how many folks wear multiple hats / roles) 10 New / 1st time attendees 4 Food / Drink Sponsors - Wildlife for Tomorrow (lunch & dinner), Arizona Mule Deer Organization (breakfast), Mule Deer Foundation - Rim Country Chapter (social hour) & NWTF / Rich... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds anglers that the record-setting heat has raised water temperatures in many trout lakes and streams. Trout thrive in cool (below 68 degrees), clean, well-oxygenated water. During the summer months, when water levels and flows decrease due to lack of rainfall, water temperatures rise and dissolved oxygen decreases, which in turn causes additional stress on trout. Anglers are reminded to consider these conditions and take some personal responsibi... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds anglers that the record-setting heat has raised water temperatures in many trout lakes and streams. Trout thrive in cool (below 68 degrees), clean, well-oxygenated water. During the summer months, when water levels and flows decrease due to lack of rainfall, water temperatures rise and dissolved oxygen decreases, which in turn causes additional stress on trout. Anglers are reminded to consider these conditions and take some personal... Full story
Got fish? Gone fishin'. Go fish. All apply to Arizona and the angling opportunities offered in this state. Bass Junkyz, high school and college programs, Arizona Game & Fish Department are among the outstanding promoters of this family friendly sport. Whether you fish in community waters or head to the high country lakes, you can enjoy the time near and on the water. Fly fishing, striper fishing, trout fishing, bass fishing, blue gill fishing, catfish fishing-- whatever your preference, all are... Full story
Jerry Tate of JT's Arizona Hunting and Fishing specializes in fishing Lake Pleasant.He's on the water several days a week, and has a handful of good friends who also spend tons of time on Pleasant. Between them, they always seem to know exactly where and how to fish for any species in the lake. Action Is Fast And Furious "The great thing about fishing for white bass and stripers is that once you find them, the action is fast and furious," Tate says. This kind of fishing is perfect for kids, beca... Full story
