Apply for an Arkansas paddlefish permit and snag into a state record 

ROGERS — Arkansas anglers have the opportunity to snag the catch of a lifetime this year, but you’ll need to act fast to be a part of the fun. Applications for Arkansas’s new special permit-based snagging season in the water above Beaver Lake will be accepted through March 30 for anglers to reel in one of the many plus-sized paddlefish swimming there.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will open the new paddlefish snagging season from April 15-June 15 from the Arkansas Highway 45 bridge, also known as the Twin Bridges Access, upstream to Lake Sequoyah Dam.

Paddlefish, with their distinctive elongated rostrum and prehistoric appearance, are prized for their eggs (which can be used to make caviar) and their ability to grow in excess of 100 pounds. The fish in Beaver Lake have made recent headlines with many topping the century-mark recorded in the last few years by spearfishing enthusiasts and anglers fishing for other species.

The story of paddlefish in Beaver Lake is one of foresight and success. In the early 1990s, the AGFC initiated a stocking program to establish a source for broodstock in case the native population saw a decline. Consistent stockings from 1990 to 2000  laid the foundation for the impressive fishery we see today.

These fish, now ranging from 25 to 35 years old, represent a unique cohort. A 2004 sample revealed a 66-pound paddlefish at 14 years old, highlighting their remarkable growth rate. A recent example of their impressive size came in 2023 when a paddlefish that had been struck by a boat was estimated to weigh more than 160 pounds.

To ensure the sustainability of this rare fishery, only 150 permits will be issued to resident anglers. The permit application period will run from March 1 to March 30, with a random draw taking place on March 31 to select the successful applicants.

Anglers are required to report their harvested paddlefish via the AGFC mobile app or by calling the AGFC’s game check hotline at 833-289-2469. This reporting system will provide real-time data to biologists, enabling them to monitor the population and make informed management decisions for the future of the fishery.  Anglers will be required to release all paddlefish under 34 inches long (measured from the fish’s eye to the fork in the tail), and may only keep two paddlefish per season on this section of the river. This is the only location in Arkansas where a special paddlefish permit is required to snag paddlefish, although complete rules on snagging are available in the 2025 Arkansas Fishing Guidebook.

A second special snagging location was added below Beaver Dam from the Houseman Access on the White River, extending downstream to the Missouri state line. Any angler may fish this section of the river from April 15-June 15 without the need for a special permit. Anglers will be required to release all paddlefish under 34 inches long (measured from the fish’s eye to the fork in the tail), and may only keep two paddlefish per day on this section of the river.

The Missouri Department of Conservation also has been instrumental in maintaining a robust paddlefish population in Table Rock Lake, which subsequently migrates upstream into Arkansas waters, congregating below Beaver Lake during their annual spawning runs. Historically, snagging opportunities in Arkansas on this portion of the White River system were limited to a mere 100-yard stretch immediately below Beaver Dam.

Recognizing the growing popularity of this fishery and the potential for increased angling access, the AGFC proposed and adopted a new regulation that establishes a dedicated paddlefish snagging season (April 15-June 15) below Houseman Access on the White River, extending downstream to the Missouri State Line. This section of the river will be subject to a 34-inch minimum length limit (eye to fork length).

As anglers take advantage of these new opportunities, it is essential to practice responsible angling techniques. Paddlefish snagging requires specialized equipment and a thorough understanding of the regulations.

Anglers should familiarize themselves with the specific regulations for each section of the river, including length limits, season dates, and reporting requirements. Respecting these regulations is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of the paddlefish population and preserving this rare fishery for future generations.

Visit www.agfc.com/licenses to apply for a paddlefish permit By March 30.

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CUTLINES:

FISH WITH FALLS IN BACKGROUND
Jessie Wilkes with his 105-lb. Paddlefish, the state record in 2015. Photo courtesy AGFC.

TWO MEN AND A FISH
Garfield resident Mike Schleeper (left) and his angling partner Tom Mayberry pose with the state record paddlefish in 2024. Photo courtesy AGFC.

BIOLOGIST WITH PADDLEFISH
Paddlefish well in excess of the 34-inch minimum length are abundant in Beaver Lake. Photo courtesy AGFC.