Seasonal Bald Eagle Closures
The bald eagle was federally listed as an endangered species in 1978. By 1995, the birds had recovered enough to be
considered a "threatened species." Despite increasing demands for water related recreation and growing human populations
throughout Arizona, the bald eagle population has continued to grow and was removed from the endangered species list in
2007. Part of the reason for the comeback in our state is the statewide management efforts of the Southwest Bald Eagle
Management Committee (SWBEMC). During ESA listing, the SWBEMC developed a variety of management programs that helped
ensure the reproductive success of Arizonas breeding bald eagles. These efforts include some seasonal closures of
sensitive bald eagle breeding areas and the Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program, which contracts individuals to
monitor breeding areas, educate the public about these breeding area closures and identify situations where
intervention might be needed to save an eagle's life. By continuing these and other management actions, the bald
eagle will continue to thrive in Arizona.
In December, land and wildlife management agencies enact the seasonal breeding area closures. During this time, bald
eagles are rebuilding nests and courting in preparation for egg laying. This is also a time when bald eagles are very
sensitive to human activity, which can cause a breeding pair to abandon the breeding attempt. Once eggs are laid, a
disturbance lasting 15 to 30 minutes could cause the breeding attempt to fail. Accordingly, land management and
wildlife officials ask for your help in protecting Arizona's bald eagles by honoring the bald eagle closures
throughout the state. Information on individual closures can be found below.
Closure Information
Alamo Lake
Alamo Lake - A portion of upper Alamo Lake may be closed to boats from Jan. 1 to June 30. Contact the Arizona Game and
Fish Department, Region IV, Yuma, (928) 342-0091.
Lake Pleasant
Lake Pleasant - No vehicle or foot entry is allowed into the Lower Agua Fria Arm from Dec. 15 to June 15. Contact
Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, (928) 501-1710.
Verde River
Verde River below Sycamore Canyon Wilderness (Towers) is closed to foot and vehicle traffic from Dec. 1 to June 15. Boating
through is allowed. Contact Coconino National Forest, Sedona Ranger District, (928) 282-4119.
Verde River near Chasm Creek (Ladders) is closed to foot and vehicle entry from Dec. 1 to June 15. Boating through is allowed.
Contact Prescott National Forest, Verde Ranger District, (928) 567-4121.
Verde River upstream of East Verde Confluence allows boats to float through, but there is no stopping in the river
or landing allowed from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.
Verde River near Mule Shoe Bend (Table Mountain) allows boats to float through, but there is no stopping in the river or landing allowed
from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.
Verde River below Horseshoe Dam (Cliff) is closed to vehicle and foot entry on the southwest side of the river from Dec. 1 to
June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing on the southwest side of the river is
permitted. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.
Verde River below Bartlett Dam is closed to foot and vehicle entry from Dec. 1 to June 30. Boating through is allowed.
Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.
Verde River at the Needle Rock Recreation area (Needle Rock / Box Bar) is closed to foot and vehicle entry on the east side of the river from
Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing on the east side of the river
is permitted. Contact Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300.
Tonto Creek
Tonto Creek from Gisela to 76 Ranch is closed to vehicle and foot entry and floating through from Dec. 1 to June 30.
Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District, (928) 467-3200.
Tonto Creek inlet to Roosevelt Lake is closed to vehicle and foot entry within 1,000 feet of the nest on land, and to
boats within 300 feet on water from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District,
(928) 467-3200.
Salt River
Salt River from Horseshoe Bend to Redmond Flat allows boats to float through, but no landing or stopping in the river
is permitted from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Globe Ranger District, (928) 402-6200.
Salt River near Meddler Point (Pinto) is closed to vehicle and foot entry within 1,000 feet of the nest on land, and to boats
within 300 feet on water from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Tonto National Forest, Tonto Basin Ranger District,
(928) 467-3200.
Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam (Blue Point / Bulldog) is closed to vehicle and foot entry on the south side of the river from Dec. 1 to
June 30. Floating through is allowed. Contact the Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District, (480) 610-3300.
Becker Lake
A portion of Becker Lake may be buoyed off to boats and a portion of the shoreline may be closed to foot entry from
Feb. 1 through June 30. Contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region I, Pinetop, (928) 367-4281.
Luna Lake
Luna Lake is closed to vehicle and foot traffic on the north side from Jan. 1 to June 30. Contact Apache National
Forest, Alpine Ranger District, (928) 339-4384.
Lynx Lake
Lynx Lake is closed to vehicle and foot traffic on the east side of the lake from Dec. 1 to June 30. A portion of
the shoreline is also buoyed off, restricting boat entry. Contact the Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw Ranger
District, (928) 443-8000.
Lower Lake Mary
Lower Lake Mary is closed to vehicle and foot traffic on a portion of the north side of the lake from Jan. 1 to
Aug. 30. Contact the Coconino National Forest, Mormon Lake Ranger District, (928) 774-1147.
San Carlos River
San Carlos River from below Peridot is closed to vehicle and foot entry, and floating through from Dec. 1 to
June 30. Contact the San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife Department, (928) 475-4802.
Talkalai Lake
Talkalai Lake on the north side is closed to foot entry and boats from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the San Carlos
Recreation and Wildlife Department, (928) 475-4802.
Tips for Visiting Eagle Areas
If you are visiting bald eagle country, an advance call to the local land management agency (USDA Forest Service district,
etc.) or the Arizona Game and Fish Department 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 last 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. A few good places to see bald eagles without disturbing them
(during December and January) are 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 FAA-recommended 2,000-foot 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's 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 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 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.
You can help bald eagle research and recovery efforts by reporting any harassment or shooting of bald eagles. Call the
Arizona Game and Fish Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-352-0700 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement
at (480) 967-7900.
