Polar Bear Bass
Tournament Set
The annual Polar Bear memorial bass tournament will be held Friday, New Year’s Day, at Beaver Lake out of Prairie Creek park.
Fishing is from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry fee is $60 per boat. There is a guaranteed first prize of $1,000. Anglers can enter on tournament morning at Prairie Creek.
The event is a memorial to several deceased anglers who were active in the area bass fishing community.
Marina Slates Three Tournaments
Hickory Creek Marina will host a triple-format fishing tournament from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, New Year’s Day.
There are separate tournaments for black bass, striped bass and crappie. Entry fee is $35 for each category.
Anglers may enter on tournament morning. Split pea soup will be served at the weigh-in. Call Hickory Creek Marina at 479-751-7366 for details.
Power Plant Down
At Swepco Lake
The Flint Creek Power Plant at Swepco Lake is shut down again for maintenance. It is scheduled begin operating on Jan. 9 and warm-water discharges into the lake will resume.
Bull Shoals Hosts
Eagle Awareness
Bull Shoals-White River State Park will host its annual Eagle Awareness Weekend Jan. 8-9 on Bull Shoals Lake and the White River.
Some 100 bald eagles migrate each winter to the Bull Shoals Lake area. Events include lake and river tours, guided bird walks, guest speakers, livebird demonstrations, activities for children and musical entertainment.
Admission is free, except for the lake and river cruises. Call 870-445-3629 for details or visit www.arkansasstateparks.com.
Spring Turkey Season Set
The Missouri Conservation Commission has set the 2010 spring and fall turkey seasons to mirror the 2009 seasons.
Spring turkey hunting season is April 19-May 9. Other spring turkey hunting regulations remain unchanged from 2009, with a limit of two male turkeys or turkeys with visible beards.
Only one bird may be taken from April 19-25 and only one bird per day may be taken from April 26 through May 9.
Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.
The 2010 youth spring turkey season is April 10-11. The 2010 fall turkey season is Oct. 1-31.
Park Hosts
Waterfowl Event
The Lake Chicot State Park Waterfowl Watch Weekend will be Jan. 9-10 at the oxbow lake near Lake Village in southeast Arkansas.
Lake Chicot is the winter home for several species of geese and ducks including Canada geese, mallards, teal, canvasbacks, mergansers and ring-necked ducks.
The park staff has a variety of activities planned including guided birding hikes and programs, lake tours and land tours.
The park will host a Raptor Watch Weekend on Jan. 16-17.
Activities include lake and van tours to see bald eagles, guided bird walks and owl prowls.
For details, visit www.arkansasstateparks.com or phone 870-265-5480.
Outdoor, Pages 9 on 12/31/2009