Compiled by Dave Hurley and edited by local fishing expert Roger George, a former Olympic-class decathlete at Fresno State and striper record-holder at Millerton Lake.

Summer's early arrival in the mountains north and east of Fresno is great news in some ways and a tad worrisome in others.

When it comes to bike racing, few Fresno families are more involved than the Sassers. Mark Sasser, 43, is a fixture in the local cycling scene, wife Ruste Sasser, 33, races road and mountain bikes, and 14-year-old Cameron Sasser is one of the area's

California hunters can now apply for the annual Big Game drawing as well as purchase 2013-14 hunting licenses.

Want to design California's 2013 upland game-bird stamp? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking submissions.

Last week's article about lightweight backpacking must've whet some appetites because my email inbox is clogged with requests for suggestions on where to go.

There aren't a ton of hiking trails in the foothills east of Fresno, at least not on public land. Fortunately, the ones we do have are worth revisiting.

Central San Joaquin Valley recreational announcements. Submit items and search for events using planitfresno.com. All numbers are 559 area code unless noted.