need help from all you western guys to help retire

[blanked]

looking for a large lake or resivior to live within 10 minutes . also need lots and lots of public land for upland bird hunting opportunities.

I know Nevada, Idaho, Arizona and New Mexico fit the bill on the hunting but not sure about a large body of water to fish from. Any tips and or advice????

[WCCT]

I would look at the Potholes Reservoir in Washington State.  It has excellent fishing for smallmouth, largemouth, walleye, trout, and panfish.  It also has some excellent bird hunting around the entire area.  Pheasant, quail, ducks and geese.  

[gobig]

Out here in Cali there are alot of lakes like this. But the home prices might shock you(the prices have been dropping fast if you want in now may be the time or the near future). I am in realestate out here but these are not areas I work,however I can point you in the right direction.Heres a few off the top of my head. Barryessa,Clear Lake, Oroville, Comanche, New Malones, Don Pedro and of course the delta. All of these are close to upland hunting and have decent fishing. There is a lot of public land out here but sometimes you got to fight for a spot so to speak. In these areas you will find Turkey, Quail, Dove and Pheasant. Might I add lots of Turkeys. I have had no trouble finding them at all. The Pheasant hunting is spotty now, its good on the opener and dies off through out the season unless you pay($150 for season is abought normal unless you hunt a club where you pay per bird $25-$30ea) for use of private land. Quail hunting is good and the dove hunting can be exceptional. If you come out this way and dont hunt water foul you may start. The central and sac valley are unreal for ducks and geese.

[skyman1982]

I would have to agree that Potholes Reservoir is a good choice.  It is a very good fishery for Largemouth, smallmouth and walleye.  As well, they have been working hard to restore panfish and add to the trout population.

there is also alot of public land around for bird hunting.

mardon resort is the main resort on the lake, and also close to many of the houses they are putting in that are reasonably priced.

[VolFan]

Blue Mesa in CO or Pathfinder or one of several reservoirs in Wyoming, pop. 450,000.

[FarmerBass]

You can always try around Lake Shasta area.  Great fishing and plenty of land to run around on.

Larry

[IdahoLunkerHunter]

Hello,

I live in Sandpoint, Idaho with Lake Pend Oreille at my doorstep. We have Lots of places to bird hunt and specifically fish. We have Pan Fish, Smallies, Largemouth, Walleye, Lake Trout, Rainbows, Cutthrout and I'm sure many more species. If you would like some more information PM me.

Patrick

[Glenn]

Agree with the Potholes recommendation.  Just note that it gets very cold in the winter (teens and single digits).  Most retirees in the area are snowbirds as a result.  Aside from that, great multi-species fishing and terrific bird hunting.

[Gungle]

Have a look at Page, Az. Lake Powell is there and quail and chukar hunting all around.

Cheers,

Gungle

[EZOP]

The Potholes and all the way over to Banks Lake is a good choice for eastern Washington. (towns like Moses Lake, Ephrata, Coulee City, Grand Coulee should put you in some great fishing and hunting.)

For Idaho, try the Cambridge area. Brownlee is just down the road and there is qual, chukar and turkey.

[Hinkle2891]

in oregon, on the coast near a town called Florence, there's this lake called Mercer Lake, and there's houses all around it. we've caught a couple bass around 10 pounds, and we catch good numbers too! might be something for you to look into.

[fretfishman]

guess it depends on the fish and game you're wanting. having spent plenty of time on Blue Mesa Reservoir in Colorado I'd say it's mighty fine. lots of nice mackinaw, rainbows, kokanee, etc...and plenty of beautiful land surrounding it for hunting opportunities. not to mention the bald eagle, golden eagle and big horn sheep sightings there quite often. hell, the big horn sheep will stand 10 feet from you and allow you to enjoy their presence.

if you weren't limiting your choices to western states I'd opt for new zealand. I've seen the fishing there recently, the housing/land is almost half as cheap as the US and the view is like colorado or montana mixed with the bahamas.

[Axsanb]

Clear Lake in CA

[Infidel.]

I would not suggest coming to California.  I know we can't get into politics on here so I'll just say that it is so screwed up out here that is it not even funny.  We are the highest taxed state in the nation and they want to raise our taxes again to get out of debt instead of cutting spending.  When they do make spending cuts it is normally on the DFG and state parks.  If you want to enjoy your hunting and fishing I would go some place else.  Just my 2 cents.  

[jrhennecke]

Nevada has lake Mead and you wouldn't be too far from Havasu.  Infidel is right stay away from Cali.