Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – Due to a proclamation by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders presented during a recent Arkansas Game and Fish Commission meeting, June 12-14 is officially Free Fishing Weekend in Arkansas.

Anyone may fish in Arkansas without a fishing license or trout stamp from noon, Friday, June 12, through midnight Sunday night, June 14.

An annual tradition sponsored by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and approved by Sanders, Free Fishing Weekend gives many people the opportunity to enjoy the angling The Natural State has to offer.

According to the proclamation, read into record by Katherine Hindsley from the Governor’s Office, sportfishing has a $2.1 billion impact in Arkansas, contributing to more than 18,000 jobs.  

“An Arkansas annual fishing license is only $10.50 per year, making it one of the least expensive fishing licenses in the country,” said AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock. “But for this special weekend, even that fee is waived, thanks to our governor’s focus on increasing participation in the outdoors and outdoor recreation being the lifeblood of Arkansas’s economy.”

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AGFC Deputy Director Ben Batten said many families plan reunions and fishing trips with out-of-state guests around Free Fishing Weekend, as it’s a great time for people from other states to experience the incredible fishing that anglers in The Natural State enjoy year-round. 

Some resident anglers also use the weekend as an opportunity to try trout fishing on one of Arkansas’s world-famous trout tailwaters, as the additional trout stamp permit is not required during these three days.

All other regulations, including daily creel limits and length restrictions, remain in effect during the weekend, and areas with special conditions for access, such as youth- and mobility-impaired-only fishing locations, remain restricted to anglers who don’t meet their normal requirements. 

The real treats during Free Fishing Weekend are the multitude of fishing derbies found throughout the state, as AGFC hatchery trucks will be running all week, stocking local ponds for community events. The agency’s four warmwater hatcheries will also host massive fishing derbies in designated ponds at their facilities on Saturday, June 13, in the midst of the celebration.

“This is the only time a person can go right where we grow the fish to catch them, and it’s as close to a sure thing as we can give anglers who want to go out and have a great time,” Jason Miller, assistant chief of fisheries for the AGFC, said. “The derbies are for youth 18 and under and their families, but you need to register ahead of time to make sure you have a spot. Our hatchery staff takes great pride in making these derbies fun for the whole family, and usually they’ll add a few extra-large ‘bonus’ fish into the mix to create some additional excitement.” 

Fishing derbies will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Anglers may catch and keep up to three catfish.

Visit the links below to register for one of the AGFC’s hatchery derbies:

• Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery (Lonoke) Fishing Derby
• Andrew Hulsey State Fish Hatchery (Hot Springs) Fishing Derby
• William H. Donham State Fish Hatchery (Corning) Fishing Derby
• Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery (Centerton) Fishing Derby

Details for additional fishing derbies the AGFC supports are available here.

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