OUTDOOR BRIEFS

SOBRIETY LEVELS

Boaters targeted at OUI checkpoint

An operating under the influence checkpoint has been slated for today on Lake Mead. There was also a checkpoint on Saturday.

An OUI check point is a law enforcement tool, used to check sobriety levels for boaters returning after a day on the lake. The Nevada Department of Wildlife, the National Park Service and Arizona Game & Fish will be participating in the check point.

An OUI checkpoint is one way of physically removing drunken boaters from Nevada waters. The checkpoint is designed to be as brief and unobtrusive as possible. In addition to checking for OUI, officers are also checking for safety violations, and boaters can expect citations for failure to carry the required safety equipment.

LEARN THE BASICS

No-cost fly-tying workshop scheduled

The Nevada Department of Wildlife will be having a free fly-tying workshop at 6:30 p.m. June 24. Participants in this hands-on, entry-level course will learn the basics of tying fishing flies, everything from needed equipment, materials and terminology to techniques for creating flies. All equipment and materials will be provided.

The class will be at the NDOW office at 4747 Vegas Drive. For registration and more information, contact 486-5127 ext. 3503 weekdays.

SMART PLANNING

Keep backyard wildlife habitats safe

Between the ongoing drought and Southern Nevada's continued population growth, the natural habitat surrounding the Las Vegas Valley is becoming increasingly limited in its ability to sustain wildlife. Because of these limitations, sightings of predatory wildlife in our urban areas are becoming more common. Does that mean backyard wildlife habitats are a bad idea? Not necessarily.

The National Wildlife Federation has certified more than 70,000 yards as backyard wildlife habitats. NDOW wildlife educator Margie Klein said it's important to keep vegetation trimmed and plant litter cleaned up -- this will limit hiding places for predators. The selection of plant material can help as well. Dense foliage will attract prey species looking for cover or shade. There are a number of plants that deter wildlife, either with smell or with thorns.

The most important thing to do is avoid feeding pets outside. In addition, small pets should not be left unattended outside, as they are attractive to predators like coyotes, bobcats, or even mountain lions.

SOMETIMES UNWANTED

Largemouth bass can be good or bad

Are largemouth bass a good fish or a bad fish? Depending on which lake or pond you are visiting this can be a very difficult question. In Nevada, anglers consider largemouth bass to be one of the most desired game fish, but in special ponds like those at the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge largemouth bass are an unwanted invasive species.

Largemouth bass are a predator that eats other, and often smaller, fish.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife fisheries biologists removed 21 bass from Ash Meadows and released them in Tule Pond at Floyd Lamb Park in northwest Las Vegas.

Unbeknownst to many anglers who visit Floyd Lamb Park, there is a healthy population of largemouth bass that freely reproduce in the park's ponds. There are also three species of sunfish. They can be found in all four ponds and make up the majority of the fish populations. The best known of these sun

In addition to bass and sunfish, anglers also can catch stocked rainbow trout and catfish.