Hatchery competitions offered during the free fishing weekend from June 7 to 9

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will offer a free fishing tournament at each of its four warmwater fish hatcheries on June 8.

Hatcheries include Andrew H. Hulsey Hatchery in Hot Springs, Joe Hogan Hatchery in Lonoke, CB “Charlie” Craig Hatchery in Centerton and William H. Donham Hatchery in Corning.

The hatcheries will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to noon. According to a press release, some bait will be provided at the sites but participants are asked to bring their own fishing equipment such as rods and reels, hooks, bobbers, etc. Participants are also encouraged to bring a cooler or spar to carry them home, as well as refreshments and chairs.

“This is the only time of year the public can come to our hatcheries and fish for catfish where we grow them,” Tommy Laird, AGFC fisheries chief, said in the release. “It’s open to the whole family, so everyone is encouraged to sign up and visit us for a fun-filled morning of fishing.”

As space around the ponds may become limited, participants are asked to register now for a derby before they are all full. Registration can be completed by visiting:

www.agfc.com/education/2024-free-fishing-weekend.

Sponsored by the AGFC, the Free Fishing Weekend held annually in June allows any state resident or non-resident to fish without the need for a license or trout stamp. Although all daily limits and fishing regulations are still in effect, the permit requirement is waived from noon on June 7 to 11:59 p.m. on June 9.

“Even if you can’t attend a fishing tournament, Arkansas has more than 600,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs and more than 90,000 miles of rivers, streams and creeks to cruise with rod and reel “, the press release said. . “Many anglers specializing in bass, crappie or catfish often take advantage of the free fishing weekend to try for a change of pace, chasing rainbow or brown trout on the Little Rivers Red, Norfork or White.

“The waiver of the additional trout license is often enough to entice a few “Southern-fried” bass and crappie anglers to try their luck at cold-water fishing.”