Seasonal Closures Going Into Effect

  It’s that time of year again – while we all are preparing for Christmas, resident Arizona bald eagles start rebuilding nests in preparation for laying eggs. That means the seasonal (December through June) bald eagle breeding area closures are going into effect on the Salt, and Verde rivers, Alamo, Becker, and Luna lakes, Tonto Creek, and Lake Pleasant. 

  “Seasonal closures protect the bald eagle breeding cycle during a time when they are most susceptible to human activity. Bald eagles no longer breed in the ‘wild’ of Arizona, the rivers and lakes where they nest, forage, and roost have become some of Arizona's favorite outdoor recreation areas,” said Jamie Driscoll, bald eagle management coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD).

  Driscoll explained that human activity near active nests can cause the breeding pair to leave their eggs uncovered, leading to a failed breeding attempt. “It can only take 30 minutes for a breeding attempt to fail.”

At many of these sites, contractors from the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatcher 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 your help and cooperation, we can all take responsibility for ensuring that Arizona eagles breed successfully,” Driscoll said.

  If you are visiting bald eagle country, an advance call to the local land management agency, such as the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) or Game and Fish may help you plan your trip to avoid disturbing bald eagles. By following these simple guidelines we can all help ensure that our living wildlife legacy will persist 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. Good places to see bald eagles, without disturbing them, is during December and January at Lake Mary and Mormon Lake near Flagstaff, or on the Verde River Canyon Train in Clarkdale.

·         Bald eagles protecting an active nest will let you know if you are too close. If a bald eagle is vocalizing and circling the area frantically, you are too close and need to leave the area quickly. Bald eagles incubating eggs or brooding small young should never be off the nest for more than 15 minutes.

·         Pilots should maintain the Federal Aviation Administration 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. Fishing line and tackle has killed two nestlings, and has been found in two-thirds of all bald eagle nests in the state. Every year we 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 fishing line along rivers and lakes, but recycle it at fishing stores. Keep your fishing line 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.

·         You can help bald eagle research and recovery efforts by reporting any harassment or intentional shooting of bald eagles. Call Game and Fish Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700 or USFWS Law Enforcement at 602-835-8289.

Seasonal Breeding Area Closures

Verde River

·         Sycamore Canyon and Verde River - No foot or vehicle entry, boating through allowed – Dec. 1 to June 15. USFS closure, contact Coconino National Forest, Sedona Ranger District for more information call 520-527-3660.

·         Camp Verde - Below Beasley Flat - No foot or vehicle entry, boating through allowed – Dec. 1 to June 15. USFS closure, contact Prescott National Forest, Verde Ranger District for more information call 520-567-4121.

·         Mule Shoe Bend - Boating allowed, but no stopping in river or landing allowed – Dec. 1 to June 30. USFS closure, contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District  at602-595-3300

·         Below Horseshoe Dam near Davenport Wash – Depending on bald eagle activity, no vehicle or foot entry on southwest side of river – Dec. 1 to June 30. USFS closure, contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District at 480-595-3300.

·         Below Bartlett Dam and Riverside Campground - No foot or vehicle entry, boating through allowed - December 1 to June 30. USFS closure, contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District at 602-595-3300.

·         Below Needle Rock Recreation Area - No vehicle or foot entry on east side of river. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing is allowed on the east side of the river – Dec. 1 to June 30. USFS closure, contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District at 602-595-3300.

Salt River

·         Below Stewart Mountain Dam – Depending on bald eagle activity, no vehicle or foot entry is allowed on the south side of the river. Floating through is allowed. Dec. 1 to June 30 USFS closure, contact the Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District at 602-379-6446.

·         Horseshoe Bend to Redmond Flat - Boating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing  - Dec. 1 to June 30. USFS closure, contact Tonto National Forest, Globe Ranger District at 520-425-7189.

Tonto Creek

·        Below Gisela to 76 Ranch - No vehicle, foot entry, or floating through is allowed – Dec. 1 to June 30. USFS closure, contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District at 520-467-3200.

Lake Pleasant

·        Lower Agua Fria arm. No vehicle, foot entry, or boats – Dec. 15 to June 15. Maricopa County Parks and Recreation closure, contact Lake Pleasant at 520-501-1710 or AGFD Nongame Branch 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. February through June. Arizona Game and Fish Department closure, contact Nongame Branch at 602-789-3500 or AGFD Region I, Pinetop at 520-367-4281.

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. January to June. Arizona Game and Fish Department closure - contact Nongame Branch at 602-789-3500 or AGFD Region IV, Yuma at 520-342-0091.

·        Luna Lake

·        North Side of Luna Lake – No vehicle or foot entry from Jan. 1 to June 30. USFS closure, contact Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Alpine Ranger District at 520-339-4384

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