Arkansas State Record Fish

State-record fish must be legally caught in Arkansas with a sport-fishing license, excluding hatcheries and pay-to-fish lakes.

Fish must be caught using rod or pole with hook and line. Snagging equipment is accepted in legal snagging areas. Electric reels are prohibited. Other legal sport tackle can be considered for the “unrestricted tackle” category if it surpasses the record weight set by rod or pole fishing.

Only catches made by anglers with a valid sport-fishing license using legal sport-fishing methods will be considered.

Arkansas sport-fishing records for hybrid species only include those stocked by AGFC (tiger muskie, hybrid striped bass, saugeye). Commercial fish catches are not eligible.

Only one person can be involved in subduing the fish, except for assistance with netting or gaffing.

To apply for a state record, an angler must submit a State Record Fish Application, available from AGFC offices or click on the link on this page.

A fisheries professional from AGFC or USFWS must identify the fish, and their name, signature, and title/qualifications should appear on the application form.

The fish must be weighed on a certified scale legal for trade, witnessed by an AGFC or USFWS employee. Only the weight witnessed at the official weigh-in will be accepted.

GFC considers records for all fish over 8 oz. that are native or actively stocked or managed for recreational purposes. One-ounce gradations are used for records, and fractions of an ounce are disregarded. No alterations to the fish to increase weight are allowed.