June 2026 Edition
June 2026 Edition
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is urging everyone to wear a life jacket, and follow all safety regulations and laws this summer when recreating on Arizona’s waterways. “A life jacket does exactly what it says — it saves your life when you need it,” said Danny Rodriguez, AZGFD’s watercraft law enforcement program coordinator. “However, it can only save your life if you’re wearing one, and often it’s too late to put one on once you realize you need it.” According... Full story
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are threatening the public’s angling and boating recreation and our state’s water and electrical infrastructure. It is critical for anyone who owns or uses watercraft, or has a business reliant on watercraft, to understand the essential nature of this aquatic invasive species containment effort by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The spread of quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species has far-reaching impacts, both financial and ecological, that... Full story
This year, National Safe Boating Week began on May 16 and ran through May 22. This week serves as an important reminder to encourage boaters to be responsible and prioritize safety ahead of the start of boating season. This observance week is the official kickoff of the Before You Boat campaign from the BoatUS Foundation. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, a national leader that promotes safe, clean and responsible boating recommends these safety tips for boaters: ... Full story
Maricopa County Residents Get Early Access To Campsite Reservations Last fall, Maricopa County's Parks and Recreation Department gathered public input as part of its fee and master planning studies. A consistent theme across both efforts was residents' desire for earlier access to campsite reservations, ahead of out-of-state visitors who often secure a large share of available sites. Under current reservation policies, campsites may be booked up to six months in advance of the arrival date... Full story
If you would like to add your event to Downstream Online scroll to the bottom of this page and click on Add Your Comment. Planning Ahead For Your July 4th? - Celebrate America '26 Join us for our annual July 3rd Fireworks Celebration right here along the shores of Lake Pleasant, located within The City of Peoria. Festivities start at 5pm. FREE Kid activities with inflatable waterslides and bounce houses available! Live Concert by Aaron Nichols! He was an contestant on The Voice! Food trucks,... Full story
June 21st is Father’s Day, and I really miss my dad! I used to give him really weird stuff like a clock made from a Spam Can, or a T-shirt that I painted some goofy saying on. He wore them, too! That’s the thing about dads – they are pretty easy to please, and they’ll usually wear much weirder stuff than moms will. But it’s great when you can find an affordable gift that your dad will really like, so I’m here to help you with that if your dad is the outdoor type. BOATING DADS The... Full story
Dear friend of John N. Czarnowski, This message is being sent to you at John's request in his last weeks. He cherished his family and his friends, likely more than he ever expressed to them. As he meditated on his life during his last two weeks, after he named me as his Personal Representative, he asked that I send this message to you. It is a music video, but it captures his intention and asked me to use it. Please have your sound up when you select this url. https://youtu.be/voNEgCKzves It... Full story
It's June. So soon? Where did the time go; wasn't it just New Year's Eve? June so soon or not, it's a wonderful time of year here in the Desert Southwest. The weather is transitioning, and the searing summer heat is not yet here. But it will be, so now is the time to get outdoors: hiking, boating, camping, and yes, by all means, fishing! Is there anything more memorable than fishing with your dad? So many memories are cherished of a father and son out on a lake, casting for fish. Or, of a... Full story
Grand Canyon National Park Hosts 33rd Annual Star Party The thirty-third annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held Saturday, June 10 through Saturday, June 17, on both the South and North rims of Grand Canyon National Park. National parks such as Grand Canyon are protective havens for some of the last remaining dark skies in the United States. The event is sponsored by the National Park Service, Grand Canyon Conservancy, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, and the Saguaro Astronomy Club... Full story
Fishing Tips/ Upcoming Events By Chase Newlon, AZGFD Fishing R3 Coordinator The FishAZ Network is filled with events for all skill levels by a variety of great partners. For a full list of up-to-date events, visit: https://register-ed.com/programs/arizona/239-fishaz-network. ________________________________________ Catfish Stockings Resume In Many CFP Waters Catfish stockings have resumed in the Community Fishing Program (CFP) waters in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, and Safford. Approximately 47,000... Full story
250: Fish 2 Community Fishing Program waters, 5 Arizona lakes or streams, have 0 bad days! Anglers of all experience levels are invited to explore the incredible fishing opportunities found across Arizona by participating in the Fish250 Challenge. The challenge is part of Arizona’s Outdoors250 celebration encouraging people to get outside, try something new, and reconnect with Mother Nature through outdoor recreation. Outdoors250, in turn, is part of America250, a nationwide initiative... Full story
When it comes to getting a shot at an unforgettable hunt, we say, don't let any chance pass you by! After applying for the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Fall Draw, check out the Conservation First USA Big Game Super Draw. It offers hunters another opportunity to pursue some of Arizona's most sought-after species while directly supporting on-the-ground wildlife conservation efforts statewide. Just $10 a ticket enters you to win one of 17 special big game hunt permit-tags, and there is no... Full story
By Margie Anderson The American Hiking Society’s Annual National Trails Day celebration is always the first Saturday of the month, plus Father's Day is coming up, so I thought this was the perfect time to share some of the things I’ve learned that can make hiking with kids a lot more fun – for you AND them! We’ve been taking our granddaughters hiking with us almost since they could walk, so I have plenty of experience. Also, we used to lead hikes for a trail group in our church, and we... Full story
PHOENIX — With Memorial Day weekend past and summer begins, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is reminding campers, hikers and other outdoor recreationists to be “bear aware.” Bears are typically shy and tend to avoid humans, but their excellent sense of smell can be problematic for both the animals and humans as they search for an easy meal. AZGFD officials advise those living in or visiting bear country to remove or block access to trash, food or other attractants (such as... Full story
Dear Friends Of Wildlife For Tomorrow, Arizona's wildlife belongs to all of us - from the iconic species we know and love, to the quiet, hidden creatures that make our deserts, forests, wetlands, rivers and wild places so extraordinary. At Wildlife for Tomorrow, we are proud to serve as the official nonprofit partner of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, helping accelerate and magnify conservation impact through partnerships, philanthropy and public engagement. This season, we have several meaningful opportunities for you to celebrate... Full story
Leave It To Kids: There's Still Hope Shared By Tom Cole, USMC, Retired Commander VFW Post 3513 At school, my grandson was tasked to write a short essay on what he felt was the best of him. Sort of a daunting task for a young person of 11, but as usual with kids, he came up with something that few would think of and I thought that it was rather whimsical, until the last sentence which I thought was incredibly insightful. I hope you all enjoy this. THE BEST PART OF ME - Don Genco My elbows are... Full story
Is There A Draft In Here? By Tom Cole, Marine, Retired Commander VFW Post 3513, Special Features Writer The Draft; popular with some not so much with others. We already have draft registration so why or why not go to a full blown draft? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons. A draft would place all eligible men AND women in the active service for a minimum of two years. All of these people would be trained and then, when discharged from active duty, would be required to be in the inactive... Full story
Public Safety Notice As we enter wildfire season, this message provides important information for all Grand Canyon residents and staff to help you stay prepared, informed, and ready. It includes seasonal wildfire outlooks, emergency planning guidance, evacuation procedures, and details on the power shutoff program. Our unique location in the wildland-urban interface makes us especially vulnerable to wildfires and other emergencies that could require swift evacuation. Wildfire Awareness To kick... Full story
We all look forward to the weekends in our life. These times are even better when there's a holiday attached. Then it's usually time to break out the Hawaiian shirts, shorts, barbeques and beer and settle in for a 3-day weekend and a party. But many people don't know what some of these holidays are even for or why we celebrate them. I thought I would clarify some of these for those who don't know. Let's start with . . . ARMED FORCES DAY Taking place during National Military Appreciation Month,... Full story
