Earth Day volunteer opportunity: Fishing line cleanup at Woods Canyon Lake, April 22

Arizona Game and Fish Department sent this bulletin at 04/17/2025 05:23 PM MST

April 17, 2025

Volunteers sought for Earth Day fishing line cleanup event at Woods Canyon Lake, April 22

Join the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) in cooperation with APS and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest at Woods Canyon Lake on Tuesday, April 22, 9-11 a.m., for a cleanup event in celebration of Earth Day.

Volunteers will be walking around the beach area and hiking along the trail picking up trash and fishing line. The lake is located about 35 miles east of Payson.

Why: Improperly disposed fishing line can be consumed by, or entangle, many animals including mammals and migratory birds. Regular cleanups can prevent ospreys, bald eagles, waterfowl, and pets from encountering dangerous and often lethal entanglement. After needing to rescue an eagle nestling last year, which required months of rehabilitation prior to release back to the wild, APS has volunteered to work with AZGFD on coordinating a fishing line cleanup event. Woods Canyon Lake has nesting bald eagles.

Details:

Tools, bags and gloves will be available; bring your own work gloves if you have them.
Wear proper attire for being outdoors and in the sun (i.e., hat and sunscreen).
Some water and snacks will be provided, please bring lunch or additional food you may want.
Minor children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian throughout the project.

Register: Please register online by visiting https://volunteer.azgfd.gov/need/detail/?need_id=1072226 and selecting "Respond" on the right side of the page. Follow the prompts to "Login" (or "Sign Up" to create a free volunteer account). If the event needs to be rescheduled or canceled due to inclement weather, registered participants will be notified via email.

To get there: From Payson, head east on AZ-260 29 miles toward the Mogollon Rim. Turn left onto Rim Road/FR 300 (signs for Woods Canyon Lake) for 4 miles. Turn right at the sign for Woods Canyon Lake, follow the road for 1 mile to the marina parking lot. Look for the Arizona Game and Fish Department tent.

Questions? Contact volunteer@azgfd.gov or 602-526-2004.

Read more about AZGFD's Monofilament Recovery Program here.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department receives Federal assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and thus prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age and sex pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. To request an accommodation or informational material in an alternative format or to file a discrimination complaint please contact the Director’s Office at (602) 942-3000 or by mail at 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Discrimination complaints can also be filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Diversity and Inclusive Workforce, Attention: Public Civil Rights and Disability Coordinator, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041.

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