Kansas State Parks Offer Off Season Bargains
October 21, 2008
Cabins, reduced prices, uncrowded conditions make parks attractive in fall and winter
PRATT — Summer is over, but for many outdoorsmen and women, that doesn’t mean the end of Kansas state park visitation. Many hunters and anglers — and even campers looking for a cool-season adventure — take advantage of the “off-season” in Kansas state parks. Lower prices during the off-season — Oct. 1-March 31 — make trips even more attractive.
Hunters and anglers probably use parks more than other visitors, and the growing number of cabins in parks makes stays more inviting. Cabins provide all the amenities of home and proximity to popular outdoor activities. Cabin rental fees vary depending on size, days of the week, and time of year.
Standard off-season state park permit fees are as follow:
- Daily Vehicle permit — $3.70 (senior/disabled, $2.60);
- Annual Vehicle permit — $19.70 (senior/disabled, $11.10);
- additional Annual Vehicle permit — $12.20 (senior/disabled, $7.35):
- Daily Camping permit — $7.50; and
- 14-Day Camping permit — $87.50.
Costs listed include applicable service fees, except online purchase convenience fee. Annual permits purchased in either the off-season or the prime season are valid for the remainder of the calendar year. 2009 permits go on sale Dec. 15.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ (KDWP) Parks Division operates a system of 25 parks and the Prairie Spirit Rail-Trail. In addition to cabins, most state parks provide utilities and primitive camping and are located adjacent to lakes or reservoirs. Utility fees remain unchanged although some camping fees are cheaper if purchased in the off-season.
In addition to camping facilities, parks offer boat ramps, courtesy docks, shelter houses, trails, and a variety of other amenities. Parks also host numerous special events, such as concerts and festivals, throughout the year.
More information on state park fees is available at the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us
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Deadline Approaches to Apply for California Game Warden Academy
October 9, 2008
The deadline to apply for the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) game warden academy at Butte College near Chico is Nov. 7. Applicants will be considered for the proposed January 2010 academy.
“Game wardens ensure the future of wildlife resources for the people of California through responsible enforcement of laws, regulations and rules,” said Lt. John Lawson, DFG academy coordinator. “They ensure public safety, keep the homeland secure, respond during natural disasters, investigate illegal commercialization of wildlife, protect the state from pollution and enforce habitat protection laws.”
A typical day for a California game warden is as diverse as the state’s fish and wildlife. Wardens have the opportunity to patrol ocean, desert, mountain and valley environments, as well as California’s urban areas and frequently work independently conducting full scale investigations. Wardens employ everything from ATVs to jetskis to snowmobiles while on patrol, and spend much of their day making contact with Californians in the great outdoors. DFG has a dive team and recently added a K-9 patrol as well. Environmental crimes and pollution incidents also fall under game warden duties. Annually, wardens make contact with more than 295,000 people and issue more than 15,000 citations.
Successful academy applicants will enter a 30-week program, followed by three, one-month training assignments where they will work with a seasoned field training officer.
DFG’s Butte College academy is Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)-certified. This new partnership ensures that cadets are provided with DFG-specific peace officer training. Butte College has a 39-year history of police recruit training and has trained more than 5,000 students through its law enforcement academy. The 928-acre campus, the largest in California, includes a wildlife refuge.
In California, with 159,000 square miles of area that offers habitat and wildlife diversity unequaled by any other state, the average warden has a patrol district of more than 600 square miles. The state has more than 1,100 miles of coastline, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4,800 lakes and reservoirs, three desert habitat areas and scores of high mountain peaks.
More information and applications are available at www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement. Applications must be post dated by Nov. 7. To see more about what game wardens do, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/career to view DFG’s new video.
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June 13, 2008 Montana Fishing Roundup
June 13, 2008
This is a brief synopsis of fishing conditions and reports from select waters across the state.  For more detailed information, contact a fly shop, bait store, or boat marina for the particular water.  For detailed information on river flows, visit:  http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow
With more rain and yes, even snow over the past week—rivers and streams in Montana are not much closer to being in prime fishing shape than they were a week ago.  Lakes and reservoirs are still the preferred option for now, but if your desire is to catch a trout in moving water, your options are limited to a limited number of tailwater fisheries, or a very few smaller streams which are clear enough to fish.  If you fish one of these locations, don’t expect solitude right now, and good fishing etiquette is important to making the fishing experience a good one for all.  Some basic rules to keep in mind include: Â
Do your best not to crowd other anglers, but also, don’t go to one of these tailwaters or smaller streams if you cannot stand to fish near other anglers. Â
After fishing in a good hole for a while, step aside and let another angler have a chance at the spot. Â
Realize that both wading anglers and boating anglers will be present, and do your best to make it easier for the other.
Finally, just a simple acknowledgement of another angler nearby can go a long ways towards easing tensions.  Fishing is about having fun, so ease up, relax a little bit, and just be glad that you get to be out on the water instead of home mowing the lawn.
Enough preaching—now go fishing.
Some of the best fishing bets right now:
Bighorn River – If you have a high tolerance for crowds, the river is a good bet.  Increased flows have made wading tricky, so use caution.
Canyon Ferry – Anglers are eagerly awaiting the development of the walleye bite, but fishing for rainbows from both shore and boats remains very good.
Dailey Lake – South of Livingston, Daily lake is a local favorite for both trout and perch.
Fort Peck Lake – Warmer, stable weather on tap for the upcoming week should improve the fishing even more. Â
Hauser Lake – A very good option for trout right now, with some walleyes and perch also being caught in the causeway arm near Lake Helena.
Lake Frances – Water levels are coming up, and the walleye bite is improving also.
Missouri River – Flows are high on the upper river, but if you have access to a boat or raft and are a competent rower, the fish are starting to cooperate.
Noxon Rapids Reservoir – If catching a bass sounds appealing, this could be the place for you.  Be aware of special regulations during the spring spawning period.
Pishkun Reservoir – Some nice trout along with northern pike are on the menu at this reservoir along with the beauty of the Rocky Mountain Front.
Tongue River Reservoir – Still producing lots of nice crappies.
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Most State Parks and Reservoirs Open After Storms
June 12, 2008
Most of Indiana’s state parks and reservoirs are open and ready for use this week, according to Dan Bortner, director of the Department of Natural Resources Division of Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs.
“A few of our properties have facilities closed or have reduced some operations due to high water or storm damage. I am so proud of our staff and how they are responding to this situation. Almost all of our properties are open and ready for hiking, camping, fishing, swimming and interpretive programs. Our inns are open as well,” Bortner said.
In locations where camping facilities, cabins or shelters must be closed temporarily, guests with reservations are being contacted either by the DNR property or through the Central Reservation System to let them know the status and make them aware of other possible locations with campsites, cabins or shelters available.
To check on a camping or shelter reservation, contact the Central Reservation System Call Center at 1-866-622-6746.
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Storm-related closures are affecting only the seven properties listed below. There are no closures at any of the other (24) state parks and reservoirs at this time.
- Brookville Lake: Beaches at Mounds SRA and Quakertown SRA are currently closed but should reopen by the weekend. For local updates, call (765) 647-2657.
- Cagles Mill Lake: Cunot SRA and the lower falls at Cataract SRA are closed. The marina and beach are closed at Lieber SRA. The campground, pool and all other facilities are open, but no drinking water is available. For local updates, call (765) 795-4576.
- Harmonie State Park: Horse trails, boat ramp and all overnight facilities will be closed on June 12 when rising water from the Wabash River is expected to cross the park road. These facilities and likely will remain closed through June 19 as the Wabash River crests and recedes. The swimming pool and three picnic areas with four shelters will remain open. For local updates, call (812) 682-4821.
- Monroe Lake: All beaches are currently closed. Some campsites and boat ramps are closed. Some roads are flooded and impassable. For local updates call (812) 837-9546.
- Patoka Lake: Beach is closed; campground and all other facilities are open; for local updates call (812) 685-2464.
- Raccoon SRA at Cecil M. Harden Lake: The beach is closed. July 4th fireworks will be moved to Saturday, Aug. 30. The campground and launching ramp are currently open but additional rain may close the main SRA road. For the latest conditions, call (765) 344-1412.
- Shakamak State Park: All facilities are closed and will remain so at least through June 15. For local updates, call (812) 665-2158.
In addition, all facilities are back open at Turkey Run State Park and Salamonie Lake following some storm damage last weekend. For local information at Turkey Run, call (765) 597-2635. For local information at Salamonie Lake, call (260) 468-2125.
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Fish For Free on June 7
May 23, 2008
Fish without a license in Utah on this year’s Free Fishing Day.
If you’re looking for a fun activity that’s close to home and doesn’t cost much, mark Free Fishing Day, on your calendar.
“Fishing is an activity that’s fun for people of all ages — everyone in your family can enjoy it,” says Roger Wilson, cold water sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “We offer Free Fishing Day to attract people to an outdoor activity they can enjoy for the rest of their life.”
Before Free Fishing Day, DWR personnel will stock extra fish into waters across Utah. Wilson says most of the fish will be placed in lakes and reservoirs.
Utah’s community fishing ponds are another good place to consider fishing on June 7. Depending on where you live, a community pond might be just a few minutes away. To learn more about Utah’s community fishing ponds, please visit www.wildlife.utah.gov/cf/.
Know the rules
You don’t need a license to fish on June 7, but all of the other regulations in the 2008 Utah Fishing Guidebook will still be in effect. All anglers, especially those who might be fishing for the first time, are encouraged to obtain a copy of the guidebook and learn the rules.
The guidebook is available at the DWR Web site and from fishing license agents and DWR offices.
Several free fishing events for kids will be held on Free Fishing Day. Among those the DWR will be involved with are the following:
LOGAN
Bear River Celebration and Free Fishing Day.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Willow Park, 419 W. 700 S.
People of all ages can enjoy free fishing at Skylar’s Pond. Volunteers will check out fishing equipment. They’ll also be available to help first-time anglers.
Activity booths, for those ages 4 to 18, also will be available. The first 300 youths who visit the booths and complete their “passport to fun” will receive a free t-shirt. At the interactive booths, youths can discover the joys of fishing and learn the importance of good water quality. They can tie their own wooly bugger, experience how rivers and streams are formed, explore the life cycles of fish, go buggy over bugs, color for conservation, learn to cast a fishing lure and learn more about Leave No Trace fishing and camping!
A variety of local, state and federal agencies are sponsoring the activity. The activity promotes both water quality and fishing.
For more information, e-mail Marni Lee with the Division of Wildlife Resources at MarniLee [at] utah [dot] gov.
NORTH-CENTRAL UTAH
MIDWAY
“Kid’s Fishing Event,” Wasatch Mountain State Park pond, about 2 miles west of Midway.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Space is limited. Children who want to participate must register in advance by calling Wendy Wilson at (435) 654-1791.
The DWR will stock the park’s pond with rainbow trout before the event. The kids who participate will be given a presentation at 9 a.m. that teaches them about fish and fishing. After they complete the presentation, the kids can fish at the pond.
Volunteers from the DWR’s Dedicated Hunter program will be available to help the kids fish and to help them clean their fish.
Fishing poles and bait will be available for kids who don’t have their own equipment.
SOUTHWESTERN UTAH
CEDAR CITY
The Division of Wildlife Resources will sponsor a fishing event at Kid’s Pond on the Wood’s Ranch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kids 12 years of age and younger are invited to come to the pond and fish for free. A fishing license is not required, and fishing equipment will be available for kids who don’t have their own equipment. DWR personnel and volunteers will also be available to help kids fish.
Kids Pond is 12 miles outside of Cedar City, up Cedar Canyon (SR-14) above the Wood’s Ranch pavilion.
For more information, call the DWR’s Cedar City office at (435) 865-6100.
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Fishing Remains Popular, Drought an Increasing Concern
May 22, 2008
Despite North Dakota’s low water levels and ongoing drought concerns, fishing license statistics again show positive results.
In 2007, residents and nonresidents purchased more than 170,000 North Dakota fishing licenses, and including children, about 200,000 people fished state waters. More than one in four residents ages 16 or older bought a fishing license. The number of nonresidents coming to North Dakota dropped slightly, but remains relatively strong with Devils Lake the most popular destination.
“Fishing continues to be popular for many North Dakotans, and the number of anglers coming to fish from out-of-state remains strong,” said Greg Power, state Game and Fish Department fisheries division chief.
The three large fisheries in North Dakota – Lake Sakakawea, Devils Lake and Missouri River/Lake Oahe – continue to lead the state in terms of participation, effort and fish harvest. On average, approximately 825,000 walleye are harvested annually from these three water bodies combined.
Despite the importance of the big fisheries, numerous smaller lakes and rivers also play a large role in fishing. North Dakota’s 270 small lakes, reservoirs and rivers account for nearly 50 percent of all fishing effort. “These fisheries are very important locally,” Power said. “In most cases, first time anglers are introduced to a smaller lake in their back yard and not the large fisheries. With good fishing opportunities scattered throughout the state, anglers shouldn’t have to travel far from home to find walleye, northern pike, large and smallmouth bass, catfish, trout or panfish.”
License sales have held at a high level since rebounding in the mid-1990s. Power attributes this to a decade of decent water levels across most of the state, some very good years of fish reproduction, and a strong stocking program.
However, of major concern is the growing affect the drought has as it spreads slowly eastward across the state. “With the exception of the extreme southeastern portion of the state, most lakes and reservoirs throughout North Dakota could use more water, and in some cases a lot of water,” Power said. “This is especially evident in the western third and south central portions of the state.”
Statewide, in the past few years at least 30 water bodies have lost their fisheries due to extremely low lake levels. In addition, even some of the larger systems, including Lakes Sakakawea, Oahe and Darling, have been impacted.
“Water is an absolute in supporting fishing opportunities, and though weather patterns will dictate when the impacts of the drought will subside, all efforts to conserve water are essential,” Power said.
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Interesting Facts About Montana’s Fishing Access Sites
May 6, 2008
- FASs that allow camping = 105.  An overnight camping fee is only charged at 53 of them.
- FASs fully ADA accessible = 50
- FASs located on lakes and reservoirs = 50.  The remaining are on streams & rivers.
- Largest FAS = Thompson Chain of Lakes at 2, 290 acres
- Smallest FAS = Roche Jaune at 1.0 acre
- Boat Ramps = 95 are concrete, 72 are gravel
- Fish Cleaning Stations = 1, Rock Creek FAS on Fort Peck Reservoir
- The guide to Montana’s Fishing Access Sites is available online at fwp.mt.gov and from all FWP regional offices. The guide includes details such as the FASs where camping is allowed and maps.
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