AGFC doubles up on spring catfishing events in Beebe, Maumelle April 23

April 20, 2022

Randy Zellers

Assistant Chief of Communications

LITTLE ROCK — Step out and enjoy some springtime fishing fun with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at one of two special events being hosted by the agency’s Family and Community Fishing Program this Saturday. Both events are open to youth and adults and feature a variety of outdoor activities to kick off the first stockings of catchable catfish throughout the state.

The AGFC has partnered with Community First Alliance and many other organizations and local businesses to bring catfishing fun back to Maumelle at Lake Valencia for the annual Big Catch fishing event from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Participants can win prizes, enjoy music and some much needed fresh air.

“We’ll have a health fair at the location,” Maurice Jackson, FCFP coordinator for the AGFC, said. “There’s going to be a lot of things going on, and we hope to see everyone out there to help kick off our return to fishing events this spring.”

Participants must register at https://c1A.life, and free food will be available to the first 500 individuals who register.

Jackson is also thrilled to announce the return of the AGFC’s Family Fun Day events, which had been suspended due to social-distancing protocols.

“This will be the first time we’ve been able to have a Family Fun Day since 2020,” Jackson said. “They were really just beginning to pick up steam before COVID, so we’re hoping to pick up right where we left off.”

In addition to a fantastic fishing derby at Beebe Community Pond, participants will be immersed in a variety of outdoors-oriented fun. Wild-game tasting will be available courtesy of Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry, and AGFC staff will be on-site to present fish-cleaning and cooking demonstrations throughout the day. AGFC staff also will host booths to teach archery, BB gun shooting and paddling basics for those interested in learning to float in a canoe or kayak. Health screenings also will be available at the Family Fun Day to help promote healthy lifestyles.

Folks who want to attend the Beebe event should register at https://register-ed.com/events/view/179688.

“This will be the first time FCFP will host and co-host two large-scale community fishing events on the same day in two different counties,” Jackson said. “We couldn’t make this happen without the support of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, Hunters Feeding the Hungry, My Sister’s Keeper, Community First Alliance, the cities of Beebe and Maumelle, and dozens of volunteers and AGFC staff.”

The Family and Community Fishing Program continues to be one of the AGFC’s most popular programs with nearly 50 locations statewide providing anglers monthly stockings of catfish during warm months and rainbow trout during winter. Visit www.agfc.com/familyfishing for more information.