Daily Archives: March 4, 2018

Public meeting on proposed Lees Ferry rainbow trout stocking is Monday

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PHOENIX – The public meeting on the proposed stocking and the current status of the Lees Ferry fishery will be held 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 5, at the old lodge across from Marble Canyon Lodge on U.S. Hwy 89A in Marble Canyon.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department plans to stock rainbow trout this spring into the lower 3 mile walk-in section of Lees Ferry, a blue-ribbon trout fishery below Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona. The meeting will include discussions on the state of the trout fishery at Lees Ferry, the proposal to stock, overall impacts of the stocking, Department perspective on the project and an open forum.

See the agenda, including more information on the project.

Public comments can also be emailed to CCantrell@azgfd.gov.

The overall rainbow trout fishery at Lees Ferry has been in decline since early 2011. Accordingly, AZGFD creel survey results during recent years have shown a dramatic decrease in angler catch rates. Although rainbow trout fishing during the past year seems to have recovered somewhat in the upper portion of the river with reports of large rainbow trout being captured, trout fishing in the walk-in area has not recovered as quickly as the Department had hoped.

This stocking is intended to boost sport-fishing opportunities for rainbow trout at this walk-in portion.

Lees Ferry is regarded as one of the top tailwater rainbow trout fisheries in the nation, and fishing at this massive, clear-running river has a profound impact on the local economy near Marble Canyon.

The Department will plan to stock trout at this portion of Lees Ferry as necessary throughout 2018 to address low catch rates and angler satisfaction.

Nominations sought for Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame

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PHOENIX — The Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation is soliciting nominations for this year’s inductees into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame.

The Outdoor Hall of Fame annually recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions toward Arizona’s wildlife, the welfare of its natural resources, and the state’s outdoor heritage.

Nominations will be accepted from March 1 to April 30. To submit a nomination, head to the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame page, download and complete the form, and return it along with all supplemental materials to:

Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation
c/o Arizona Game and Fish Department
Attn: Kent Komadina
5000 W. Carefree Highway
Phoenix AZ 85086

Nominations also may be submitted by e-mail to Kent Komadina at Kkomadina@azgfd.gov. For more information, call 623-236-7288.

This year’s inductees will be honored in August at the annual Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet.

Past Outdoor Hall of Fame inductees have been individuals with backgrounds in wildlife volunteerism, corporate leadership, politics, wildlife and the media, including Ben Avery, Barry Goldwater, Morris K. Udall, John McCain, Bill Quimby and Tom Woods, as well as groups and organizations such as Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center Volunteers, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club, Arizona Deer Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Safari Club International, Audubon Arizona, Arizona Public Service and Salt River Project.

Wildlife for Tomorrow was created in 1990 to enhance the management, protection and enjoyment of Arizona’s fish and wildlife resources. The foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to provide additional support for projects and education activities where traditional resources are not adequate. For more information, visit www.wildlifefortomorrow.org.