AGFC wraps a ’bow on 2024-25 winter community pond stockings with nearly 60,000 trout

LITTLE ROCK — The Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery sent truckloads of trout to  ponds in Cabot, Pine Bluff, Little Rock, Conway, Maumelle, Bentonville and Springdale today, officially completing the 2024-25 Family and Community Fishing Program’s winter trout angling opportunities. This year, the program provided about 57,000 rainbow trout to 40 FCFP locations.

B.J. Vandiver, hatchery manager at the Spring River hatchery, said the hatchery crew spent  long hours on the road to ensure Arkansans throughout the state had an opportunity to catch trout while the water was cold enough to support the species. His hatchery, only minutes from the Arkansas-Missouri state line, is the only state-owned coldwater trout facility. It is responsible for stocking all FCFP locations.

“That means extended hours to get these fish stocked on top of our normal monthly stockings,” Vandiver said. “It’s not just driving a truck; there is a lot that goes into getting these fish to their final destination alive. From harvesting the fish to maintaining temperatures and oxygen levels on the road, to ensuring they are released in a manner that gets them to the water without too much handling, the crew did a great job of making sure everything was in order to make this season a success.”

Vandiver says the FCFP team also did some great “outside-the-tank” thinking to create more buzz about the AGFC’s winter trout stockings.

“Maurice (Jackson) and Clint (Coleman) secured some golden rainbow trout from a private facility to give anglers a little something extra this year,” Vandiver said. “We successfully tagged and stocked 385 tagged golden rainbow trout spread out among the majority of the stocking sites in December. We ended up having about 100 surplus golden rainbows that were stocked (untagged) at select locations in January as well.”

Jackson says the first round of golden trout were all tagged, and anglers who turned in a tag received a prize pack as well as a chance at a special grand prize.

“We’ll be drawing a winner from all anglers who turned in their tags on the AGFC’s Facebook page live at 10 a.m. March 13,” Jackson said. “Three winners will receive a free guided trout fishing trip for two on the Little Red River, courtesy of Sore Lip ’em All Guide Service in Heber Springs.”

Jackson says he’s thrilled about the turnout he’s seen at FCFP locations and some of the stories he’s received of people taking family and friends on a fishing trip this winter.

“FCFP broke a record on tag returns for trout this year,” Jackson said. “We had a 66 percent increase in overall trout tag returns.”

Jackson also credits the hatchery team with all the extra hours and time associated with the special promotion.

“Winter months are the busiest time of the year for our trout folks,” Jackson said. “BJ’s team went above and beyond by receiving golden trout from an out-of-state facility, holding them at the facility for over a month, tagging the fish and stocking them statewide. Clint and I are both former hatchery men, and we know from experience that a loss of fish can occur during any misstep in the process of growing, harvesting and getting the fish to the final destination, and the Spring River team took the challenge in stride.”

Visit www.agfc.com/familyfishing for more information on the Family and Community Fishing Program and a list of stocked locations.

Don’t forget to tune in to www.facebook.com/ARGameandFish on March 13 to watch the live drawing for three trout-fishing trips on the Little Red River.

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CUTLINES:

DELIVERING TROUT
AGFC Family and Community Fishing Program Coordinator Maurice Jackson delivers trout to Boyle Park in Little Rock. AGFC photo.

GOLDEN TROUT
The AGFC stocked special golden-phase rainbow trout in FCFP locations this year to increase excitement for angling in community ponds. AGFC photo. 

KIDS AT DERBY
Nearly 60,000 rainbow trout were stocked in ponds throughout Arkansas this winter for local anglers to enjoy. AGFC photo.

KID WITH GOLDEN TROUT
The AGFC received numerous reports of anglers catching “gold fever’ during their winter angling efforts this year.