It's that time of year again: Arizona's bald eagle nesting season is underway.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department wants outdoor recreationists to be aware that 15 seasonal breeding closures for nesting bald eagles are going into effect.

Starting this month, the state's resident bald eagles start rebuilding nests in preparation for laying eggs. During the breeding season, there are breeding area closures from December through June at specific sites along Tonto Creek; the Salt River, Verde River, and San Carlos River; and Alamo, Pleasant, Becker, Lynx, Luna, and Talkalai lakes.
 
"Seasonal closures have become an essential management tool for protecting the breeding bald eagles when they are most susceptible to human activity," said Bald Eagle Management Coordinator James Driscoll.

Driscoll explained that the rivers and lakes where the bald eagles nest, forage, and roost have become some of Arizona's favorite outdoor recreation areas.

"Human activity near active bald eagle nests can cause a breeding pair to leave its eggs uncovered, leading to a failed breeding attempt. It can only take 30 minutes for a breeding attempt to fail," Driscoll explained.

At many of these sites, contractors from the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program monitor the breeding area daily to protect the breeding attempt, educate the public, and identify situations where intervention may be needed to save nestlings in life-threatening situations.

"With the public's help and cooperation, we can all take responsibility for ensuring that Arizona bald eagles breed successfully," Driscoll says.

Seasonal closures

Verde River
 

• Sycamore Canyon and Verde River - No foot or vehicle entry, but boating through is allowed from Dec. 1 to June 15. For more information, contact the Coconino National Forest, Sedona Ranger District at (928) 282-4119.
   
• Camp Verde (Below Beasley Flat) - No foot or vehicle entry, but boating through is allowed from Dec. 1 to June 30. For more information, contact the Prescott National Forest, Verde Ranger District at (928) 567-1108.
   
• Mule Shoe Bend - Boating is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing on the shoreline from Dec. 1 to June 30. For more information, contact the Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District at (480) 595-3300.
   
• Below Horseshoe Dam near Davenport Wash - Depending on bald eagle activity, no vehicle or foot entry on the southwest side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. For more information, contact the Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District at (480) 595-3300.
   
• Below Bartlett Dam and Needle Rock Recreation Area - No foot or vehicle entry, but boating through is allowed from Dec. 1 to June 30. For more information, contact the Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, at (480) 595-3300.

Salt River

• Horseshoe Bend to Redmond Flat - Boating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing from Dec. 1 to June 30. For more information, please contact the Tonto National Forest, Globe Ranger District at (928) 402-6200.
   
• Below Stewart Mountain Dam - No vehicle or foot entry on south side of the river, but floating through is allowed from Dec. 1-June 30. For more information, contact the Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District at (480) 610-3300.

San Carlos River
 

• Upstream of San Carlos Reservoir - No vehicle, foot entry, or floating through is allowed from Dec. 1 to June 30. This is a San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department closure. For more information, contact the San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department at (928) 475-4758.

Tonto Creek

• Below Gisela to 76 Ranch - No vehicle, foot entry, or floating through is allowed from Dec. 1 to June 30. For more information, contact the Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District at (928) 467-3200.

Lake Pleasant

• Lower Agua Fria arm - No vehicle, foot entry, or boats from Dec. 15 to June 15. For more information, contact Lake Pleasant at (520) 501-1710 or the Arizona Game and Fish Department at (602) 789-3500.

Little Colorado River

• Becker Lake - Depending on the bird's activity, a portion of the lake may be buoyed off to boats, and a portion of the shoreline may be closed to foot entry from February through June. Please contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department at (602) 789-3500 or Region I office in Pinetop at (928) 367-4281.

Alamo Lake

• Upper Alamo Lake - Depending on the bird's activity and lake levels, a portion of the upper lake may be closed to boats from January to June. Please contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department at (602) 789-3500 or the Region IV office in Yuma at (520) 342-0091.

Lynx Lake

• East Side of Lynx Lake - No vehicle or foot entry is allowed, and a portion of the lake will be closed to boats from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw Ranger District 928-771-4700, or Arizona Game and Fish Department (602)789-3500 or Region III office in Kingman at (928) 692-7700.

Luna Lake

• North Side of Luna Lake - No vehicle or foot entry is allowed from Dec. 1 to June 30. Please contact the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Alpine Ranger District at (928) 339-4384.

Talkalai Lake

• North Side of Talkalai Lake - No foot entry will be allowed, and a portion of the lake will be closed to boats from Dec. 1 to June 30. This is a San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department closure. For more information, contact the San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department at (928) 475-4758.

Tips For Visiting Eagle Areas
If you are visiting bald eagle country, an advance call to the local land management agency, such as the Forest Service, or the Arizona Game and Fish Department may help you plan your trip to avoid disturbing bald eagles. By following these simple guidelines, everyone can all help ensure Arizona's living wildlife legacy continues for generations to come.

• Enjoy bald eagles from outside the closures, especially during critical nesting times (December to June). These areas are posted with signs and/or buoys, and most have daily nestwatch monitors.
   
• Anyone approached by a nestwatcher and asked to cease an activity or leave a closed area should comply. Lake Mary and Mormon Lake near Flagstaff and the Verde River Canyon Train in Clarkdale are good areas to see bald eagles without disturbing them during December and January.
   
• Bald eagles protecting an active nest will let you know if you are too close. If a bald eagle is vocalizing and frantically circling the area, you are too close and need to quickly leave the area. Bald eagles incubating eggs or brooding their young should never be off the nest for more than 15 minutes.
   
• Pilots should maintain the FAA recommended 2,000-foot above ground level (AGL) advisory when flying over bald eagle habitat along the Salt and Verde rivers, Lake Pleasant, and Alamo Lake. These areas are designated on the Phoenix Sectional Aeronautical Map. Special brochures for pilots regarding this advisory can be obtained by calling the Arizona Department of Transportation or the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Nongame Branch.
   
• Help from anglers is especially needed. Monofilament and tackle has killed two nestlings and has been found in two-thirds of all bald eagle nests in the state. Every year, nestwatchers and biologists remove this potentially lethal material from nests and/or entangled nestlings. Ospreys, shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds also succumb to this litter. Do not discard any type of monofilament along rivers and lakes, but recycle it at fishing stores. Keep your monofilament fresh; do not use old brittle line. Make sure to use the correct test line for the fish you are trying to catch. Also, do not cut the line when an undesirable fish is caught and return it to the water with the hook and line attached.