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May 29, 2003
AGFC
Activities planned statewide for Free Fishing Weekend
LITTLE ROCK - Here’s a chance for Arkansans who don’t normally fish to take a crack at one of the state’s favorite pastimes. Governor Mike Huckabee proclaimed Free Fishing Weekend to start at noon on Friday, June 6, and run through midnight on Sunday, June 8. Licenses will not be required for fishing in Arkansas during that period.
Both residents and nonresidents may fish without fishing licenses or trout permits during Free Fishing Weekend. Regulations for Arkansas waters apply: daily limits, slot limits and length limits must be observed.
There are several activities planned around the state in conjunction with the Free Fishing Weekend. Fishing derbies will be held statewide on Saturday, June 7. Here are the guidelines for those derbies as well as a list of locations:
Kids 12 years and younger may participate
Limit of three fish per child
One rod or pole per child
Each pond will be stocked with catchable-sized fish before the derby begins
Bring fishing tackle and bait
Other items recommended for the fishing derbies are: something to sit on, refreshments, sunscreen and hats. There is no charge for fishing derbies.
Fishing Derbies will be held at the following Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Fish Hatcheries:
Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery
Berry Beavers, Hatchery Manager
Lonoke 877-676-6963
Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery
Tommy Laird, Hatchery Manager
Centerton 877-795-2470
Andrew Hulsey State Fish Hatchery
Don Brader, Hatchery Manager
Hot Springs 877-525-8606
William Donham State Fish Hatchery
David Caldwell, Hatchery Manager
Corning 877-857-3876
Spring River State Fish Hatchery
Melissa Jones, Hatchery Manager
Mammoth Spring 877-625-7521
The hatcheries are open to fishing only during the derbies and only to kids 12 years and younger.
Free Fishing Days are an annual tradition in Arkansas, part of the National Fishing Week celebration. The objective of Free Fishing Days is simple, according to Mike Gibson, chief of fisheries for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
“We want to encourage Arkansans and visitors to the state, who may or may not be fishermen, to come to our state and give it a try,” Gibson said. “It’s the perfect time to discover the great fishing habitat that this state provides. It’s also a great opportunity for a fun and relaxing family outing.”
Gibson suggested that fishing novices make a stop at a sporting goods outlet, a boat dock or one of the AGFC regional offices for some pointers on the basics of fishing in Arkansas.
Other fishing activities are scheduled at several state parks across Arkansas and can be viewed at http://www.ArkansasStateParks.com. For additional information about Free Fishing Weekend and activities planned across the state, visit http://www.agfc.com or contact the AGFC Fisheries Division at (501) 223-6371.
AGFC
Activities planned statewide for Free Fishing Weekend
LITTLE ROCK - Here’s a chance for Arkansans who don’t normally fish to take a crack at one of the state’s favorite pastimes. Governor Mike Huckabee proclaimed Free Fishing Weekend to start at noon on Friday, June 6, and run through midnight on Sunday, June 8. Licenses will not be required for fishing in Arkansas during that period.
Both residents and nonresidents may fish without fishing licenses or trout permits during Free Fishing Weekend. Regulations for Arkansas waters apply: daily limits, slot limits and length limits must be observed.
There are several activities planned around the state in conjunction with the Free Fishing Weekend. Fishing derbies will be held statewide on Saturday, June 7. Here are the guidelines for those derbies as well as a list of locations:
Kids 12 years and younger may participate
Limit of three fish per child
One rod or pole per child
Each pond will be stocked with catchable-sized fish before the derby begins
Bring fishing tackle and bait
Other items recommended for the fishing derbies are: something to sit on, refreshments, sunscreen and hats. There is no charge for fishing derbies.
Fishing Derbies will be held at the following Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Fish Hatcheries:
Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery
Berry Beavers, Hatchery Manager
Lonoke 877-676-6963
Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery
Tommy Laird, Hatchery Manager
Centerton 877-795-2470
Andrew Hulsey State Fish Hatchery
Don Brader, Hatchery Manager
Hot Springs 877-525-8606
William Donham State Fish Hatchery
David Caldwell, Hatchery Manager
Corning 877-857-3876
Spring River State Fish Hatchery
Melissa Jones, Hatchery Manager
Mammoth Spring 877-625-7521
The hatcheries are open to fishing only during the derbies and only to kids 12 years and younger.
Free Fishing Days are an annual tradition in Arkansas, part of the National Fishing Week celebration. The objective of Free Fishing Days is simple, according to Mike Gibson, chief of fisheries for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
“We want to encourage Arkansans and visitors to the state, who may or may not be fishermen, to come to our state and give it a try,” Gibson said. “It’s the perfect time to discover the great fishing habitat that this state provides. It’s also a great opportunity for a fun and relaxing family outing.”
Gibson suggested that fishing novices make a stop at a sporting goods outlet, a boat dock or one of the AGFC regional offices for some pointers on the basics of fishing in Arkansas.
Other fishing activities are scheduled at several state parks across Arkansas and can be viewed at http://www.ArkansasStateParks.com. For additional information about Free Fishing Weekend and activities planned across the state, visit http://www.agfc.com or contact the AGFC Fisheries Division at (501) 223-6371.
