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AZGFD Fisheries Update at the November Meeting

11/6/2015

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Andy Clark, Assistant Chief of Fisheries and Sport-fish Management for the AZGFD, joined the Midweek Bass Anglers at their November club meeting and shared some exciting updates the department is making to improve the quality of bass fishing in the state of Arizona. 
 
Earlier this year, they acquired several hundred Florida strain largemouth bass for the sole purpose of developing Arizona’s own bass stocking program, these fish are being raised at the Bubbling Ponds Hatchery located in Page Springs, AZ.  Though it will likely be a few years before these bass grow into breeders and begin reproducing, the process has begun.  There were a variety of challenges in creating a satisfactory environment in which to breed bass, but the department has developed key relationships with both Florida and Texas, two states with premier bass stocking programs, and is using this shared information and experience to help get the program off to a solid start.  The Midweek Bass Angler’s partnership through financial contributions has played a key role in getting this program started.
 
As with anything important in life, proper planning is always the key to success, and creating great fisheries is no different.  Andy shared the department’s efforts in developing a strategic plan for each of our warm water lakes, lakes that are home to largemouth bass.  These plans are broad in scope, but also specific in regard to execution.  The formation of these plans will make it easier to get the additional funding necessary to implement the actions and improve the quality of warm water fishing in Arizona.  As a part of this plan, the department has hired key personnel to oversee specific areas that includes both a bass biologist and a habitat expert.  In addition, the department is in the process of purchasing a large barge that is capable of transporting and placing the hundreds of large cement reef ball habitats that have been made over this past year. 
 
Andy shared the AZGFD’s tremendous appreciation for the support by the Midweek Bass Anglers contributions and commitment.  Though it will likely be years before the fruits of these efforts will be truly realized, the Midweek Bass Anglers have played a vital role in this conservation project that will be enjoyed for generations to come. 

GG
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Tonto National Forest Fee Proposal

9/28/2015

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The Right Grip for Bass

7/26/2015

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Bartlett Lake Advisory

7/24/2015

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, in association with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, has issued a fish consumption advisory recommending that people limit consumption of channel catfish and largemouth bass caught from Bartlett Lake in Maricopa County. ADEQ is issuing this advisory because recent fish tissue samples from Bartlett Lake contained elevated levels of mercury. ADEQ recommends that adults limit consumption of channel catfish and largemouth bass to 2.4 ounces (uncooked weight) per week and children 12 years of age and under limit consumption to two ounces per month (uncooked weight). 

This advisory does not limit the use of this waterbody for fishing, bird watching, swimming, or other recreational uses. In general, the level of contaminants in fish is several folds higher than levels found in water.

Any health risks associated with eating fish from this advisory area are based on long term consumption and are not representative of risk from eating fish occasionally.  Fish are an excellent source of protein and can be an important part of a healthy, diverse diet as they are low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids.  The American Heart Association recommends that individuals eat at least two fish or seafood meals weekly.

BACKGROUND:

Fish Consumption Advisory: A fish consumption advisory is a public health alert that provides recommendations regarding safe fish consumption when ADEQ determines contaminant levels in fish tissues taken from Arizona waterways exceed state health standards. These advisories are not for commercial fish sold in markets.

Mercury in the environment can come from various sources. Ingesting mercury can cause numerous health problems such as damage to the central nervous system. Infants and pregnant or nursing mothers are considered most at risk to possible health effects. Fish can accumulate elevated levels of mercury when larger fish consume smaller fish and insects.


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May 2015 Bass Stocking Update from the AZGFD

5/31/2015

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I had the chance to listen to AZGFD Fisheries Chief Chris Cantrell on a local radio station provide a status report on the progress being made in the bass fisheries in Arizona, and the news was exciting, much more than I had hoped for.

Chief Cantrell continues to partner with two of the nations premier bass states, Florida and Texas, to develop and implement a plan that will produce quality bass fisheries in Arizona.  Texas’ efforts have transformed their state from 13 to 63 lakes where you can catch a 13-pound bass, and Chief Cantrell would like to see the same in Arizona.

The stocking efforts at Roosevelt Lake are ahead of schedule, but the results that fishermen are looking for will take a couple of years, as these bass need time to grow.  The department has also been rigorously creating cement reef ball habitat, which will be placed in Roosevelt Lake within a year, once all the necessary approvals have been obtained.  Chief Cantrell also mentioned the department’s recent hiring of a biologist solely dedicated to re-establishing habitat in the lakes throughout our state.  A step, Chief Cantrell states, that will help stabilize the state’s fishery over the long term.  

Bubbling Ponds, the state’s first warm-water hatchery for largemouth bass, located in the Cottonwood area, is up and running.  The hatchery currently has 800 fingerling sized Florida strain bass in that in a couple of years will be of spawning age, and thereby allow the state to produce up to 2 million fingerling largemouth Florida strain bass per year, which will be a huge boost to our lakes.

Exciting news to be sure, and the Midweek Bass Anglers should be proud of their efforts, which have provided both funds and encouragement to the AZGFD to help in this effort.

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April 2015: Roosevelt Lake stocked with Florida-strain bass

4/23/2015

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PHOENIX – Anglers who love to fish Roosevelt Lake, the most popular fishing destination in the state, have something to look forward to  – a future full of trophy bass. On Thursday, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) continued its effort to provide great fishing to anglers who frequent this 13,000-acre lake by stocking 40,000 fingerling-sized Florida-strain largemouth bass (3-6 inches).  Since April, 2014, about 1 million fry (recently hatched) of the Florida-strain bass, which can grow up to 20 pounds, have been stocked into Roosevelt Lake.  Survival rate of Thursday’s fingerling bass stocking is expected to be 15-20 percent. It will likely take at least 18 months for the fingerlings to attain catchable size.  “We hope that within the next 5-10 years anglers can enjoy higher numbers of trophy bass and memories that come out of Roosevelt Lake,” said AZGFD Fisheries Branch Chief Chris Cantrell. “This effort should also have a positive economic impact on local communities.”

The Department has not stocked Roosevelt Lake with Florida-strain largemouth bass since the 1980s. Since 2011 surveys, there has been an 80-percent reduction in largemouth bass catch rates. Still, in 2013, Roosevelt Lake was the most fished water in the state with 453,525 angler-use days – 7.55-percent of the state’s total use. The direct economic impact of fishing at Roosevelt Lake that year was $72,284,250.  For the previous three Florida-strain stockings, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission donated the fry, and AZGFD paid only shipping fees.  Although the fingerlings cost around $70,000, their survival rate is exponentially higher than that of fry, which, along with the addition of artificial fish habitats, should help AZGFD continue its Roosevelt Lake revitalization efforts. The fingerlings were paid for by AZGFD and angler donations.  Florida-strain largemouth bass is the same species as the northern strain that dominates Arizona’s warmwater fisheries. Unlike the northern strain, adult Florida-strain bass in the 10- to 15-pound range are relatively common. Florida-strain also have the potential to feed on the lake’s nonnative gizzard shad.

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Tonto Nat Forest Proposed Rate Increase

9/24/2014

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Tonto National Forest Proposed Rate Increase

Before I begin, let me start by saying I have no skin in this issue, other than the fact that I love fishing, as do most of you.  I do neither work for the government, nor have any family or friends who work for the government.  That being said, Tonto National Forest is planning on changes to the fees we pay at the forest’s lakes (Bartlett, Saguaro, Canyon, Roosevelt, and Apache), some increase, some decreases, depending upon how you use the lake.  I contacted TNF today to get some clarification on the proposed changes, and to see how I could provide my input without personally attending one of the meetings, which would take away from valuable fishing time.

The first thing I discovered is that their funding has been reduced significantly enough over the past few years that the current fees simply do not cover the daily costs of operations and maintenance.  Options were discussed at several public roundtables: (1) Close areas.  (2) Hire an outside vendor to take over the parks – this would surely result in higher fees and (3) Increase fees.  95% of the public involved in these roundtable discussions did not want either options 1 or 2, so they were left with raising fees.

The changes proposed that would affect anglers are as follows:
*Increase the cost of the day pass from $6 to $8.
*Leave the cost of the watercraft sticker unchanged at $4.
*Reduce the price of the annual pass from $95 to $80.
*Increase the cost of developed overnight campgrounds (Windy Hill, Cholla, and Burnt Corral) from $6 to $25

I would expect if you are reading this that you have an opinion, as do I.  And since it has already been determined (roundtable meetings) that fee increases are the only viable option, then in reality the only comments they are likely to consider are those having to do with the fees. (I know we all would like to see showers at Apache Lake, but until Obamacare is repealed, the lake will have to do).  Would you camp if the fee was $25 at Windy Hill, or is that too much?  Or would you rather pay an extra dollar for watercraft to keep the campground rates a bit more affordable?   TNF would like to hear your opinion as well, but unfortunately they do not accept Facebook as a valid source for comments.  Your options (1) Do nothing, and go along with whatever is approved or (2) Voice your opinion.  You can read more details (one page) at www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/home/?cid=STELPRDB5405154.  You can send your email comments to tonto_recreation@fs.fed.us. 

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Alamo Lake Report

9/19/2014

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Everyone seems to want to know what is going on with Alamo Lake, so I decided to place a call.  I spoke with one of the local park rangers, Larry, and had a few questions.

How is the lake level and launching conditions?  The lake level has come up a couple of feet from the recent storms.  Cholla Ramp is closed, but they are launching boats easily at the dirt ramp located by the ranger station.  The ramp has a pretty good hard-pack, able to launch pontoons easily, and can launch up to two boats at a time.

What is the status with the dam?  Per Larry, what he know is that it appears the gates on the dam are working, and he is not aware of any other repairs planned on the dam, but with several government agencies having jurisdiction within the lake, things can change.

Why is the water so low?  Lack of rain, primarily.  In addition, a couple of years back, it was mandated that there be a constant 25 cfs release from Alamo in order to meet water needs for ranchers behind the dam. 

How is the fishing?  Depends much on the same conditions that affect our other lakes; weather, water flows into the lake, but overall it sounds pretty good.  There are still tournaments being held at the lake.

Is it safe boating?  There is a restriction against water skiing (yeah!), but other than that nothing unusual.  As many of you know, there are a lot of submerged trees in the river end of the lake, so caution must be exercised when travelling in that area.
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AZ Game & Fish proposes changes to fishing regulations

7/19/2014

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In order to best manage fish populations, simplify and streamline regulations, and incorporate public request, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is evaluating these fishing regulation changes.
The proposed changes are:
  • Reduce the statewide bag limit for all species of catfish to 10, in the aggregate.
  • Designate all public waters as Community Fishing Program waters within the municipal boundaries of the cities of Phoenix, Maricopa, Avondale, Scottsdale, Gilbert, San Tan Valley, Cave Creek, El Mirage, Sun City, Sun City West, Beardsley, Goodyear, Buckeye, Chandler, Youngstown, Peoria, Glendale, Surprise, Payson, Tucson, Sahuarita, Yuma, Somerton, Tempe, Litchfield Park, and Fountain Hills, except the portions of the Verde River, Salt River, Gila River and Lake Pleasant. 
  • Propose to change regulations at Freestone Park (Gilbert) and Friendship Park (Avondale) to a limit of two trout, two catfish, one bass (13-inch minimum length) and five sunfish
  • Designate Water Ranch Lake to a single barbless hook requirement for all species and place catch and release regulations on bass and sunfish. 
  • Change regulations for Horton Creek, and Grant Creek to single barbless hook, artificial fly and lure only and catch and release only for trout.
  • Reduce daily bag limits of trout on Chevelon Creek above and below Chevelon Lake as artificial fly and lure only, with reduced bag limits.
  • Modify regulations to a limit of six trout, four catfish and two bass (13-inch minimum length) within the Williams area lakes: Kaibab, Cataract, Dogtown, City, and Santa Fe Reservoirs.
  • Reduce the bag limit to 25 sunfish and crappie, any combination, in the lower Colorado River, including Lake Havasu and Mittry Lake.
  • Maintain the current catch-and-release regulation for largemouth bass in Dankworth Pond and Pena Blanca Lake until Dec. 31, 2016.
  • Open catch and release seasons for Gila trout in Frye Creek and Apache trout in Upper East Fork-Little Colorado River, single barbless hook, artificial fly and lure only.
  • Allow goldfish to be used as live bait when collected and used onsite only in specific waters.
For the complete article, click here>>


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When you come off the water...

6/9/2014

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