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2024 Annual Business Meeting
November 1 - November 3
$125.00 – $150.00
The Reservoir Fisheries Habitat Partnership (RFHP) will be holding its 14th Annual Meeting November 1-3 in Phoenix! A room block will be arranged soon in the Happy Valley area, an excellent area for restaurants. The meeting will be held at the north Phoenix Arizona Game and Fish office, about 6 or 7 miles north. We will likely arrange several vans to help transport people to the meeting each morning and will provide lunch on site.
- Come see the habitat work at Bartlett Reservoir; some of the work done includes crappie tower installations and tree recycling.
- There will also be a workshop with speakers from Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation, covering reservoir management and grant programs to support fish habitat.
- A banquet is being planned which will include a fundraiser raffle with some great items, so come prepared!
Virtual attendance will be supported, so go ahead and register as you normally would. Access details will be provided via Zoom.
Check back here for all event details as they are posted.
- Thursday: Travel day
- Friday
- 9:30 A.M. - Workshop (breakfast items provided)
- 12:30 P.M. - Lunch (provided by RFHP)
- 1:30 P.M. - Field trip
- Dinner on your own
- Saturday
- 8:30 A.M. - Business Meeting (breakfast items provided)
- 11:30 A.M. - Lunch (provided by RFHP)
- 1:00 P.M. - Technical Sessions
- 6:30 P.M. - Awards Banquet at The Stillery
- Sunday
- 8:30 A.M. - Technical Sessions (breakfast items provided)
- 12:00 P.M. - Adjourn (lunch on your own)
Download the Agenda and Abstracts
Workshop
Friday's workshop will provide educational and exemplary content with emphasis on Western reservoirs in particular. Partnerships and grant programs through Federal partners such as Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the US Army Corps of Engineers can yield wonderful results for fish habitat, and we look forward to welcoming speakers on various programs. Afterward, we will feature some local projects, including the work led by our hosts with Arizona Game and Fish Department's habitat program.
Do not miss this workshop. The cost is covered entirely by your registration!
Abstract Submission
Arizona Game and Fish Department Headquarters
The Arizona Game and Fish Department Headquarters is located right next to the Ben Avery Shooting Sports Facility. Ben Avery is one of the largest publicly operated shooting facilities in the country located on 1,650 acres. The facility averages more than 120,000 shooters per year and is the first government facility to receive a 5 star rating from the National Association of Shooting Ranges. The facility provides opportunities to shoot Rifle and Pistol, Clay Targets, Archery, and even camping. You can reserve your spot to shoot, through the Game and Fish Website and also allow walk-ins for most ranges.
For the Pistol and Rifle range costs are $7.00 and you can shoot paper targets only, from 5 to 200 yards. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, for $10.00 you can shoot at the rifle range on paper targets only, from 100 to 300 yards. If you would like to shoot at steel targets, visit the Frank DeSomma Memorial range with rifles from 200 to 500 meters for $12.00.
For archery, there are multiple ranges/courses with targets along trails or known distance practice ranges. The distances are 15 to 100 yards depending on the course. Click here for a map of the course and the target ranges.
The Ben Avery Clay Target Center is a public shotgun-shooting facility offering games such as trap, skeet, and sporting clays. You can rent shotguns, both 20 and 12 gauge for $15.00. The facility also sells ammunition, ear protection, eye protection, and gun buggy rental. For facility fees click here.
Nearby things to do in Arizona
If you want to stay close to the hotel, there are numerous restaurants and shops within 15 minutes walking distance such as The Stillery, Carlos O’Brien’s Mexican Restaurant, Red Robin, and Barnes and Noble. If you are willing to walk a little further, within 20 minutes you can visit Harkins movie theaters, State 48 Rock House Brewery, and numerous small stores and restaurants in the Shops at Norterra.
Arizona is known for it’s beautiful desert scenery and amazing sunrises and sunsets. Weather in November averages high 70s to the low 50s. If you want to explore some of the many outdoor activities, check out all Arizona has to offer on Arizona’s Outdoor Adventures.
If you want to stay close to the hotel, check out the desert landscape and go on a nearby hike at Thunderbird Conservation Park, Sonoran Preserve, or Phoenix Mountain Preserve.
Looking for a longer trip, make the 3 ½ hour trip north of Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon. It is beautiful this time of year! Or visit Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and drive the 17 mile loop to see the magnificent formations. You can also drive south of Tucson and visit Saguaro National Park and see breathtaking views of the nation's largest cacti.
Fishing Opportunities
If you want to do some fishing, remember to get your fishing license!
For a unique stream fishing experience, head an hour and a half north and visit beautiful Sedona, Arizona. You can stop by Oak Creek and fish for a unique native trout species, Gila Trout. Gila Trout are only found in two states, Arizona and New Mexico.
Also nearby, drive 30 minutes to Lake Pleasant and fish for multiple species such as Striped Bass, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Flathead Catfish, and Channel Catfish. This lake holds multiple state records for hook and line: Hybrids Striped Bass (15.5 in. 2lb. 13.76oz.), Striped Bass (45.23 in. 29 lb. 13.76 oz.), White Bass (19.5 in. 4 lb 11.7 oz.), and White Crappie (16.75 in. 3 lb. 5.28 oz.). As well as three records for catch-and-release: Largemouth Bass 28 in., Striped Bass 34.25 in., and White Bass 18 in. Lake Pleasant is operated by Maricopa County and charges a daily use fee.
Another nearby lake, an hour drive, you can fish at Bartlett Reservoir. This lake has Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, and multiple Sunfish species. This lake holds the state record hook and line for carp at 40 in. and 37 lbs. Bartlett Reservoir is located on Tonto National Forest and requires a day pass.
For more fishing information, visit our fishing page!
A room block is available for the Friends of Reservoirs/Reservoir Fisheries Habitat Partnership annual meeting in November!
The block is at the Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix North/Happy Valley in Phoenix, Arizona @ the Government rate of $156 + taxes per room per night. People booking can choose from the room type available at the time of their booking (King or 2 Queens).
- Block Name: Friends of Reservoirs
- Check in date is set for: Thursday, October 31
- Check out date is set for: Sunday, Nov 3rd
- These dates can be altered for each person's needs. They aren't required to stay on those exact dates.
Cut off to book at this group rate is October 10, 2024. Any inquiries after the cutoff date will be offered whatever the rack rate is at the time of their inquiry. All persons booking in the block will be required to provide a valid credit card to guarantee their reservation. Please ensure your arrival and departure dates are correct.
Please let Rebecca know if you have any trouble with the link. If you need to call the hotel, contact them at 623-516-9300.