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Removing striper limits on Lake Mohave, closing several small streams to fishing so they can be managed for native fish recovery, and modifying the bag and possession limit at Alamo Lake are just some of the fishing regulation changes proposed for 2000 by the Arizona Game Fish Department.
The department is conducting public hearings around the state to gather public opinion about the proposed changes. The proposals will come before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for consideration at its Oct. 23 meeting in Phoenix at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #2 on 19th Avenue just south of Thunderbird Road.
The following public hearings are scheduled from 7-9 p.m.:
Aug. 23, Tucson, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Garden Center, 4210 N. Campbell;
Aug. 24, Sierra Vista, Widemere Hotel, 2047 S. Highway 92;
Aug. 25, Flagstaff, Game and Fish Regional Office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Rd.;
Aug. 26, Pinetop, Game and Fish Regional Office, 2878 E. White Mountain Rd.;
Aug. 31, Yuma, Game and Fish Regional Office, 9140 E. Country 10½ St.;
Sept. 1, Kingman, Game and Fish Regional Office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Rd.;
Sept. 2, Phoenix, La Quinta Inn, 2510 W. Greenway Rd.
Fisheries Branch Chief Larry Riley said Arizona wildlife officials have been working with the Nevada Division of Wildlife on a possible bag limit modification at Lake Mohave. The proposal calls for unlimited possession of striped bass that are under 20 inches in length, and a 20-fish possession limit of stripers 20 inches or greater. The modification would allow increased harvest of smaller fish to ease competition for the forage base, while limiting harvest of the more desirable trophy-class stripers.
Closures to fishing have been proposed on several streams that are or have been renovated for native fish recovery efforts. Among those proposed are West Turkey Creek in the Chiricahua Mountains in Cochise County, lower Sabino Canyon in Pima County, O’Donnel Canyon and its headwater tributaries in Santa Cruz County, and Dude Creek near Payson in Gila County.
"These sites are managed for native fishes, and closures are intended to further discourage illegal introductions of nonnative fishes," Riley said.
Dude Creek below the Mogollon Rim near Payson is the only sport fishery proposed for closure to fishing. "However, Dude Creek is currently fishless," Riley point out. Closing Dude Creek to fishing is consistent with plans for potential reintroduction of native Gila trout.
"Once stocked, Gila trout cannot be legally taken on possess until they are down-listed and a special rule is enacted allowing for sport harvest. But once those steps are achieved, it is anticipated that Gila trout will provide anglers quality native trout fisheries similar to those they enjoy now with the native Apache trout. There are some exciting prospects ahead," Riley said.
For the quality bass fishery at Alamo Lake, the Game and Fish is proposing to reduce possession limit for largemouth bass from the current 12 fish to six, with no more than three being in possession between 13 and 16 inches (called the slot limit).
Riley said that Alamo’s slot limit, when enacted, was envisioned to be a flexible way to manage the largemouth bass population to improve the size and availability of fish to the angler. Close monitoring of key bass population indicators was to be the trigger for proposing future regulation changes.
"For Alamo, we monitor a couple of important indicators; conditions (plumpness) of fish 12 inches and larger in the fall survey, and percentage of fish in the 12-15-inch slot during the spring survey. Bass condition has improved during the last three years, and for the past two years the percentage of fish in and above the slot has decreased. These are signs that the number of fish in and above the slot are decreasing. A change in regulation to reduce the possession limit (not the daily bag limit) may serve to maintain and improve the catch rates for these larger fish without creating too much inconvenience for the angler," he said.
Special regulations have been proposed for several bodies of water for specialized fishing. Artificial lure and fly restrictions and immediate catch-and-release requirements are being proposed for upper Silver Creek on Game and Fish lands in Navajo County, and approximately a 2-mile segment of Oak Creek that spans the confluence with the West Fork of Oak Creek in Coconino County.
In Apache County, restrictive harvest limits and special regulations are proposed for Carnero Lake. Carnero is located adjacent to Greens Peak in the White Mountains just west of Springerville. The department is proposing a limit of two trout and artificial lure and fly restrictions at this scenic mountain lake. Carnero is similar to Mexican Hay Lake in that it is shallow and very productive.
"During a short period in the late 70s and early 80s the department actively managed the lake and it showed the potential to grow large trout quickly. Because the department is looking to acquire 77 percent of the water rights for the lake, it creates the possibility to create a ‘Blue Ribbon’ trout fishery. We’re setting the stage for that kind of preparation," Riled said.
Another proposed regulation change is to clarify where unlimited harvest of rainbow and brown trout would be allowed in East Clear Creek between Sept. 1 and May 1. It is proposed to allow unlimited harvest of rainbows and browns from the confluence of Willow Creek upstream, including Blue Ridge and Knoll reservoirs from Sept. 1 through May 1.
Many programs of the Arizona Game and Fish Department are supported in whole or part by federal funds that require public notification of the provisions of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These acts prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin or handicap. If you believe that you have been discriminated against, you may write to: The Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Interior, Office of the Secretary, Washington, D.C. 20240. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need this material in an alternative format or believe you have been discriminated against contact the Deputy Director, 2221 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85023, (602) 942-3000.
Uploaded: 8/12/1999
Uploaded: 8/12/1999