Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Family and Community Fishing Program

Authors: Chris Racey, Clifton Jackson, and Clint Coleman

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Family and Community Fishing Program was developed in 2002 after a multiple-year pilot study was conducted between 1999 and 2001.  The Program’s goal is to enhance or create destinations in highly populated areas, so that excellent fishing is available within a stone’s throw of all Arkansans.  During 2007, 36 ponds and streams in 22 cities were stocked annually with catchable-size fishes and managed as put-and-take fisheries.  Ponds ranged in size from 1 to 14.5 surface acres.  Approximately 70,000 channel catfish, 20,000 hybrid striped bass, and 65,000 rainbow trout were stocked in spring/summer, fall, and winter, respectively.  Most ponds were stocked at 100 fish per acre per month, regardless of fish species.  Ponds also contained largemouth bass and usually multiple sunfish species.  Anglers were allowed to harvest three catfish, three hybrid striped bass, and five rainbow trout per day with no length restrictions.  Largemouth bass were catch and release only and the sunfish daily limit was 25.  Special family fishing regulations existed on five ponds, requiring anglers between the ages of 16 and 64 to be accompanied by a youth under 16 who was actively fishing.  Persons under the age of 16 or 65 years of age or older were able to independently fish at these family locations at any time.  New Program sites were selected based on geospatial analyses of fishing license sales and census data as well as our hatchery system’s abilities to provide fish to a new location.  The Program also provided 10 kick-off derby events and 14 beginner’s fishing clinics to the public statewide.  Free fishing rods and reels have been provided to many children at events since the Program’s inception in 2002.  The Family and Community Fishing Program have provided an opportunity for thousands of Arkansans to fish with friends and family in convenient locations.