Category Archives: Fishing

New fishing regulations to take effect January 1

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Some new fishing regulations will take effect beginning Jan 1. Be sure to look for the full 2017-18 Arizona Game and Fish Department fishing regulations online around the first of the year. Also, the new fishing regulations booklet will be available at all AZGFD offices and license dealers in early January.

Here are the changes:

  • Reduce the daily trout bag limit to five at the Colorado River from Lake Mead to California-Nevada boundary (including Lake Mohave and Willow Beach).
  • Reduce the daily bag limits to two bass, minimum size 13 inches; and 4 catfish in any combination at Whitehorse Lake.
  • Change the season and daily bag limit from Glen Canyon Dam to the Paria Riffle to two rainbow trout; artificial fly and lure only; barbless hooks only.
  • Close the Kino Environmental Restoration Project to fishing. The Kino Environmental Restoration Project is in Tucson (Pima County).
  • Change the daily trout bag limit to two, any species combination at Frye Mesa Reservoir.
  • Allow the use of fathead minnows caught on site to be used as bait at Riggs Flat Lake.
  • Create a year-round bow-and-arrow season for catfish at Apache, Canyon and Saguaro lakes, with a special regulation daily bag limit of five catfish in any combination.
  • Catch and release regulations for largemouth bass at Pena Blanca Lake and Dankworth Pond will have sunset and will no longer be in effect. The statewide limit of six bass will apply.

For more fishing information, visit the AZGFD fishing page, or the Fish AZ blog.

AZGF Top 5 AZ fishing holes for this winter

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fish-catch-background1In Arizona, winter doesn’t have to mean sending boats and rods and reels into hibernation. While outdoor recreation opportunities across many U.S. states shut down during the season of freeze, Arizona rolls on with trout stockings and water temperatures just warm enough to convince fish to bite during the holidays.

Although fishing tends to slow a tad this time of the year, there are some spots that are winter-friendly.

Here, then, are the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s top-5 fishing holes for this winter.

New license a boost to Arizona military families

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Doug_Ducey_-_Arizona_State_TreasurerPHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds all active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Arizona that they, and their spouses, may purchase resident hunting and fishing licenses.

The current law stipulates that an active duty member permanently or temporarily stationed in Arizona may purchase a resident license permitting the taking of wildlife. That privilege recently has been extended to their spouses, as well.

Gov. Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2324, sponsored by state Rep. Frank Pratt (LD-8, Casa Grande), in May. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted unanimously in January to support this expression of gratitude for those who serve. The law became effective Aug. 6.

“Through the years, the department and commission have been proud to provide opportunities for our active military members and veterans,” said Pat Madden, commission chairman. “We’re grateful for their sacrifice and service, and we’re honored to be able to extend this privilege to their spouses.”

A valid license is required for the taking of wildlife, including fish, in Arizona. A resident can purchase a combination license (hunting and fishing), valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, for only $57.

Licenses can be purchased at all department offices and more than 300 license dealers statewide, as well as online by visiting https://license.azgfd.gov/home.xhtml. If a license is purchased online, it must be printed from a home computer. The department will not mail any license purchased online.

The license also will allow the spouse of an active duty member to apply for big game hunt permit-tags as a resident.

For more information, call (602) 942-3000.

Ribbon-cutting at Willow Beach hatchery celebrates successful partnership

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willow-beachWILLOW BEACH — A ribbon-cutting event on Thursday at the now functioning Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery celebrated the renewed collaborative efforts by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Mohave County that will boost economic activity and preserve trout fishing on the lower Colorado River in Mohave County for future generations.

On Wednesday, Arizona Senator John McCain continued his staunch support for the project as he watched thousands of rainbow trout pour from a stocking truck into the Colorado River below Davis Dam.

Trout stockings at the hatchery, which had ceased in 2013 due in part to a water intake system failure, support approximately 1,700 jobs and generate $75 million in economy activity along this stretch of the river.

“Significant collaborations were needed to rebuild the water intake system at the hatchery,” said AZGFD Director Larry Voyles. “We’re particularly grateful to Senator John McCain, Representative Paul Gosar and Mohave County Supervisor Hildy Angius for their ardent support in bringing trout propagation back to Willow Beach. The collective efforts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and local stakeholders have come to fruition.”

Stockings from the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery are anticipated in early 2017. AZGFD’s commitment to anglers for great trout fishing opportunities on this area of the Colorado River is evidenced by great relations with local businesses and organizations. Ongoing stockings have been made possible by donations from local pest abatement districts.

Willow Beach NFH had been unable to rear or stock sport fish after sustaining pipeline and infrastructure damage in November 2013. After the failure, the Arizona Game and Fish Department worked collaboratively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Senator McCain, the Arizona Congressional delegation, and Mohave County to solve the problem.

In August 2014, Senator McCain toured the hatchery and was briefed on a variety of engineering plans to repair the hatchery’s damaged pipeline. Preliminary cost estimates for repairs totaled up to $9 million. Senator McCain urged USFWS to coordinate with Mohave County and AZGFD to develop an affordable and reasonable solution to move repairs forward.

In March 2015, USFWS and AZGFD finalized an agreement to begin restoring trout stocking operations at Willow Beach.

Rainbow trout eggs are anticipated to arrive at Willow Beach NFH in November 2016 to augment the 50,000 fingerlings the AZGFD provided in August. The eggs will come through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Hatchery System, and are expected to be of catchable size in the autumn of 2017.

Extra trout stockings in White Mountains lakes to provide great fall fishing

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white-mountain-fishingPINETOP — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has recently stocked thousands of catchable size rainbow trout into many of the White Mountain lakes. This gives anglers an extra incentive to get out to the lakes this fall.

Show Low Lake was stocked with 4,000 rainbow trout. Bear Canyon and Willow Springs Lake received 5,000 fish each. Another 7,000 trout went into Woods Canyon Lake. Fool Hollow Lake and River Reservoir each received 8,000 trout.

The AZGFD hatcheries had a surplus of fish that needed to be stocked into lakes to make room for next year’s trout. These fish were all stocked within the last 2 weeks, and the fishing should be great—especially with the cooler temperatures of fall.

This time of year, try fishing for rainbow trout using green, garlic scented PowerBait or worms. Tiger trout were also stocked for the first time in Arizona this year into Willow Springs and Woods Canyon lakes. Catch tiger trout using lures—they are more aggressive than rainbow trout. Bear Canyon Lake is a hike-in-only lake, but worth the short, steep hike. All others are easily accessible.

Silver Creek seasonal trout fishery opens today

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silver-creekSHOW LOW — The seasonal catch-and-release fishery at Silver Creek opens Saturday, October 1.

This upper catch-and-release section of Silver Creek requires trout to be immediately released unharmed, and is artificial flies and lures only with single barbless hooks. This segment of Silver Creek is open for fishing from Oct. 1 through March 31 of each year.

See blog article of this announcement.

Contributions of hunters, anglers benefit everyone

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conservaationPHOENIX — Even if you don’t actively participate in the time-honored traditions of hunting or angling, National Hunting and Fishing Day is a day of celebration for everyone.

Whatever your interest in wildlife, hunters and anglers—the original conservationists—have made countless contributions over the decades to the conservation of fish and wildlife through sound, science-based management.

Governor Doug Ducey recently signed a proclamation (PDF) celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, as well as recognizing the role that the state’s hunting and angling community plays as an economic driver.

It’s important to understand how those outdoor pursuits benefit wildlife. Since 1939, hunters and anglers have generated more than $15 billion toward wildlife restoration through an excise tax imposed on the sale of hunting, angling and shooting-sports equipment.

Those funds are administered by the federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program, one of the most significant programs benefiting wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation. WSFR funds, along with the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, provide a substantial portion of wildlife conservation funding for activities such as fish and wildlife population management, habitat management, research, surveys, land acquisition, hunter education, shooting and archery ranges, boating access, and more.

Who benefits? The general public gets better stewardship of natural resources. Hunters and anglers get more and better places to hunt and fish. State and federal agencies receive more funds to meet their conservation needs.

More than 786,000 Arizona hunters and anglers certainly are doing their part to keep the state in the black, spending more than $1.2 billion annually and supporting 18,220 jobs, according to the latest report (2011) by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. As a result, $132 million in state and local taxes, and another $155 million in federal taxes, are collected annually.

“I want to thank Governor Ducey for this proclamation that recognizes hunters and anglers as the cornerstone of conservation in Arizona,” said Edward “Pat” Madden, chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. “They are being recognized for job creation, financial impact, conservation efforts and wildlife enhancement.

“On their day, the citizens of Arizona should take a moment and thank a hunter or angler for their contributions to our state.”

As part of National Hunting and Fishing Day, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will be hosting a free public fishing event as part of “Verde River Days” at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. For more information, including a listing of additional free public fishing events statewide in October, visit https://fishazblog.com/free-public-events/.

Free fishing clinic October 1 at Kinnikinick Lake

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fishing-clinicFLAGSTAFF — Want to learn about fall fishing in northern Arizona? Join the Arizona Game and Fish Department on Saturday, October 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kinnikinick Lake for a free fishing clinic. The event is for beginners and seasoned anglers alike.

Approximately 50,000 rainbow trout and 10,000 brown trout have been stocked into Kinnikinick during the past two months. Game and Fish staff, along with members from the Northern Arizona Fly Casters and Trout Unlimited Flagstaff Chapter, will be on hand to assist all participants.

Those attending will learn fishing basics, types of equipment to buy on a budget, casting and catching, and what species of fish are in the lake. Participants might also get the opportunity to try fly-fishing. Loaner fishing poles and tackle will be available, and fishing licenses will not be required for those participating.

The weekend also marks the opening of fall small game hunting season. So squirrel, rabbit, dove and quail hunting tips and tricks will be shared by the Game and Fish experts. Come on out and learn about great spots for small game hunting — and maybe even pick up a recipe or two.

Participants should bring food and dress appropriately for fall weather.

To get to Kinnikinick Lake, drive 30 miles south out of Flagstaff on Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road) and turn east on Forest Rd. 125, then go 4 miles to Forest Rd. 82. Turn southeast and head 5.5 miles to the lake.

Fisheries experts reclassify three native fish species as one

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1473410181403-rnau2comnz-5e72c45ae3ecacbeef050b26f9d90acaPHOENIX — A professional committee of fisheries scientists has determined that three species of chub found throughout the lower Colorado River basin—roundtail chub, headwater chub, and Gila chub—will now be recognized as one species, referred to as roundtail chub.

The decision last week by the American Fisheries Society and American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Joint Committee on the Names of Fishes resolves a long-term disparity among scientists, as these chub populations are physically similar and have been genetically indistinguishable at the currently recognized species classifications. The inability to differentiate them at a species level made management highly complex, especially given that Gila chub is listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act and roundtail and headwater chub were proposed for listing as threatened in 2015.

Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists last year conducted a complete review of all data and scientific literature available to determine if the available science supported the recognized taxonomic designations of the three species of chub. The department’s review found no justification to support the separation of chub into three separate species, and concluded they should be classified as a single species.

Subsequently, Game and Fish formally requested that the American Fisheries Society re-evaluate the recognized taxonomic designation of the three species. The analysis was assigned to the joint committee, which conducted months of review and listened to presentations by fisheries scientists on the morphology and genetic status of chub. The committee concluded there is no morphological or genetic data that define populations of roundtail chub in the lower Colorado River basin as members of more than one species.

The committee’s decision is strongly supported by Arizona Game and Fish and will result in more effective management and conservation of roundtail chub throughout the state. Based on this decision, the species is found in more than 70 streams in Arizona alone. .

“This is a huge success for chub and for those who manage and conserve chub in the lower Colorado River basin,” said Chris Cantrell, aquatic wildlife chief for Arizona Game and Fish. “The taxonomic history of this species has been debated for decades, which has influenced our management strategies and our ability to implement conservation on a range-wide basis. We know the decision will open doors to more opportunities to protect and conserve chub in Arizona.”

The Joint Committee on the Names of Fishes is a collaborative group of the American Fisheries Society and the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. It maintains a list of scientific and common fish species names to achieve uniformity and avoid confusion in nomenclature. Their work is important to help fisheries professionals know exactly what species or subspecies is under discussion. Fish identification is particularly important when the species is under endangered species protections.

To view the department’s 2015 letter sent to the American Fisheries Society and the joint committee’s final decision, visit In the Current, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s native aquatic species news site.

Applications sought for Arizona Game and Fish Commission

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PHOENIX — The Governor’s Office is currently accepting applications for the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Applications must be received or postmarked no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Applications received or postmarked after the deadline will not be considered.

Governor Doug Ducey is seeking members who are well-informed and passionate about Arizona wildlife and its long-term conservation. In accordance with Arizona law, the Game and Fish Commission is required to be politically balanced and representative of all 15 counties (i.e., no more than three commissioners may be from the same political party, and no two commissioners may be residents of the same county).

Therefore, this Commission vacancy is NOT available to registered residents of Apache, Coconino, Pima, or Yuma counties. Residents of all other counties—Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yavapai—are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Interested individuals may apply by clicking here: Boards and Commissions Application.

For further information about the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and its mission, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission. Individuals also may contact the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions at (602) 542-2449.