Duck and Geese Projections for Central Flyway




The Central Flyway receives most of its waterfowl from the prairies as well as from the Western Boreal Forest and Arctic, with large numbers of ducks coming from Saskatchewan, eastern Alberta, North and South Dakota, and eastern Montana.

Total duck numbers in southern Saskatchewan were down 30 percent from last year’s estimate but remained 6 percent above the long-term average. In areas that received sufficient rainfall, semipermanent wetlands provided good habitat for breeding waterfowl. Nesting efforts were delayed by the late spring, however, and duck broods didn’t begin appearing until early July.

In the north-central United States, the eastern Dakotas, breeding duck numbers were similar to last year’s estimates and remained 33 percent above the long-term average. In the western Dakotas and Montana, duck numbers were also almost unchanged from the 2017 estimate and remained 29 percent above the long-term average.

In the Great Plains Region habitat conditions across the Dakotas and northeastern Montana have improved, thanks to ample late spring and summer rains in many areas. Given this year’s waterfowl breeding population estimates and habitat conditions, the region’s contribution to the fall flight will likely be near the long-term average.

Central Flyway goose populations remain high, but a late spring on key breeding areas may have reduced production of many species. Average or below-average breeding success was expected for prairie-breeding Canada geese as well as northern-nesting lesser Canada geese, snow geese, Ross’s geese, and white-fronted geese. As a result, this year’s fall flight may include a lower proportion of juvenile geese than in recent years.

Check www.ducks.org and tpwd.texas.gov for more information.

 




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Lake Fork Current Weather Alerts

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Lake Fork Weather Forecast

Thursday

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 91

Thursday Night

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Lo: 73

Independence Day

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 89

Friday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 73

Saturday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 93

Saturday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 75

Sunday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 93

Sunday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 75


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Lake Fork

Fishing Report from TPWD (Jul. 2)

GOOD. Water Stained; 82 degrees; 0.10 feet above pool. Bass are good early morning around grass with frogs, buzz baits and poppers. The offshore bite is best right now with fish coming from 12-25 feet on humps, ridges, road beds and points with Carolina rigs, flukes, big worms, Texas rigs and big crankbaits. Report by Marc Mitchell, Lake Fork Guide Service. Lily fields are filling in, hydrilla and milfoil are reaching for the surface. Fish this type of cover at midday when bass are seeking cover. Frog patterns are working in the shallow vegetation early and late. Drop a clouser on an isolated cover for black bass. Large bream have moved shallow, wooly buggers are producing good fish. Channel catfish are cruising 2-4 feet, clousers are a good choice. Report by Guide Alex Guthrie, Fly Fish Fork Guide Service. Lake Fork crappie fishing is improving as we enter the summer pattern. Loads of small fish under 10 inches are still being caught daily, but a lot more large fish are stacking up on brush piles, tire reefs, artificial structures and the base of trees. You can still find some fish on bridges, underwater bridges and road beds in 16-26 feet. Minnows, small hand ties and soft plastics are all working. Report by Jacky Wiggins, Jacky Wiggins Guide Service. Anticipate increased boater traffic this weekend as we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day.

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