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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | |
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge |
Mike Oldham , Manager |
Getting There: From Blythe, go
approximately 3 miles west on I-10 to Neighbours Boulevard/78 exit. Go south on Neighbours for 12 milesto the Cibola Bridge. After crossing the bridge, continue south for 3.5 miles to headquarters. |
When was it established?
1964 |
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[Welcome]
[Wildlife]
[Species
Lists] [Restoring Wildlife Homes] [Things
to do at the Refuge] |
Cibola NWR is located in the floodplain of the lower Colorado River and surrounded by a fringe of desert ridges and washes. The refuge encompasses both the historic Colorado River channel as well as a channelized portion constructed in the late 1960's. Along with these main waterbodies, several important backwaters are home to many wildlife species that reside in this portion of the Sonoran Desert. Because of the river’s life sustaining water, wildlife here survive in an environment that reaches 120 degrees in the summer and receives an average of only 2 inches of rain per year. We invite you to visit and enjoy the many wildlife-oriented activities the refuge has to offer and enjoy the scenic beauty of this oasis in the desert. |
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Species Lists |
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Restoring Wildlife
Homes The refuge is working hard to restore native vegetation to the lower Colorado River in order to provide essential habitat to the many species of wildlife that depend upon it. The greenbelt of the Colorado River is an important migratory corridor for a host of birds and we want to insure that stopover habitat is available to those that are making their thousand mile journey through this area. In addition to removing exotic salt cedar trees and planting native vegetation such as cottonwoods, willows, and mesquites, the refuge is also restoring historic river meanders, constructing moist soil units, and growing alfalfa and cereal grains for the wintering waterfowl. The refuge also provides artificial homes for wildlife such as the burrowing owl and kestrel. Both of these species readily accept man-made homes to roost and nest. You will see these as you drive around the auto tour loop.
Visit the Cibola Lake overlook located at the southern end of the refuge and view grebes, ducks, pelicans, geese, cormorants, terns, and more from an elevated cliff overlooking the southern end of the lake. Cibola Lake is closed from Labor Day to March 15 in order to provide the wintering waterfowl a safe and undisturbed place to roost, but you can enjoy them from a distance on the overlook. Please remember the following rules while visiting the refuge. Remember, we are guests in the homes of the wildlife.
Hunters may apply online for the 2011/2012 Cibola NWR Unit II goose hunt by visiting http://www.cibolapermits.com/ and completing the application process and submitting the required fees. A $15.00 application fee is required for all hunters applying for permits. Kinsail will be accepting applications starting September 6th, ending October 9, 2011. Applicants will be notified via email by October 21st if they have been selected for the hunt. Successful applicants must purchase a $15.00 hunt permit for each hunter in their hunt party to secure their spot. Hunters unable to apply online may also request a paper application form from the refuge office. Any paper forms must be sent to Cibola NWR, Attn: Kinsail Corporation, PO Box 7087, Arlington, VA 22207 and received by October 9, 2011 to be considered. All checks, money orders, or cashiers checks must be made out to Kinsail Corporation. For a copy of updated Unit II hunt regulations contact or visit the refuge office. All incomplete and illegible applications will not be considered in the drawing process. Applications without required fees will also be discarded. Hunters are reminded that those applying for dates in January 2012 must have a 2012 Arizona hunting license number to participate in the reservation drawing for blinds. NOTE* A returned check will result in automatic disqualification from the hunt for this hunt season. 2011 Unit 2 Goose Hunt Brochure The majority of Cibola NWR is located in Arizona, but some areas along the Old River Channel are located in California. Hunters are required to possess hunting licenses and stamps from the state in which they are hunting. Arizona hunting licenses may be purchased in Cibola or Ehrenberg, Arizona or on-line through the Arizona Game and Fish Departments website (www.azgfd.com). California hunting licenses may be purchased in Blythe, California. Migratory bird hunting requires both state and federal waterfowl stamps. Arizona hunters must also possess the Arizona Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp. Federal Waterfowl Stamps may be purchased at the refuge headquarters during business hours. |
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Fishing Cibola NWR provides opportunities to fish for the following species:
Possession of the Colorado River fishing stamp allows licensed anglers of either California or Arizona to fish any open area on the refuge. Cibola Lake and adjoining lands are closed to all activities from Labor Day to March 15 in order to provide a safe and undisturbed area for the wintering waterfowl. Fishing, however, is permitted in a boat on the main channel of the Colorado River and all land and water to the west. Please see the refuge fishing brochure for complete information on fishing on Cibola NWR. |
See Arizona Links for more information about natural areas and tourism in Arizona. |
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