Bald eagle closure lifted at Lynx Lake May 3

A sub-adult bald eagle in the area tries to make a catch at Lynx Lake near Prescott. (Courier file)

Originally Published: May 1, 2019 4 p.m.

The Prescott National Forest will lift the closure restrictions and open the John’s Tank Trail on the east side of Lynx Lake on Friday, May 3, according to a news release.

The trail has been closed to public entry since December to provide protection to nesting bald eagles. The closure is no longer needed to protect nesting bald eagles because the breeding attempt failed and Arizona Game and Fish feels that any further nesting attempts this year is highly unlikely.

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John’s Tank Trail Description and Map

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Bald eagles have used Lynx Lake as a nesting site for the last 11 years. The Forest Service closed the area east of the lake to minimize disturbance to the eagles. For the past six years, eagles have successfully produced young eagles.

“Every year is a new opportunity to watch this skilled pair of eagle parents in the midst of one of our most popular recreation sites on the Prescott National Forest. It is a balancing act for resource managers to provide quality recreation experiences while also providing quality wildlife habitat on public lands,” Wildlife Biologist Noel Fletcher said.

The U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Arizona Game and Fish Department would like to thank everyone for their cooperation while the closure was in effect.

If you have any questions about the bald eagles and their management on the Bradshaw Ranger District, feel free to call Albert Sillas at 928-567-1124.

Information provided by the Prescott National Forest.