Drop a Line on Trout Day in Arkansas

Jan. 29, 2020

Randy Zellers

Assistant Chief of Communications

LITTLE ROCK — Now’s the time to grab your fishing gear and take advantage of trout fishing in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stocks trout during winter in places they couldn’t survive during warm weather because water temperatures drop enough to support these coldwater fish. Winter is a great time for anglers who don’t live near trout water in the northern part of the state to get in on the action.

First up is a trout fishing clinic for beginners, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Thursday, at Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center at 602 President Clinton Ave. in Little Rock. Call 501-907-0636 to register or for details.

Take those skills to the field during two fishing events.

One is a fishing derby at Little Rock’s MacArthur Park Pond, 601 E. Ninth St., set for 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday. It’s open to anyone, although anglers 16 and older must have a valid Arkansas fishing license and trout stamp; those under 16 fish for free. Come prepared with bait and tackle.

The other is 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, in Fort Smith. Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, 8300 Wells Lake Road, is devoting the day to all things trout – knot tying, fish cleaning, cooking demonstrations, a clinic about catching trout and a fishing derby on Wells Lake. Again, anglers 16 and older must have a valid Arkansas fishing license and trout stamp to fish; those under 16 fish for free. Call 479-452-3993 for more information.

These events are produced by the AGFC’s Family and Community Fishing Program, Fisheries Division and Education Division.  

Fishing licenses are easy to buy. Simply go to agfc.com and click on “Buy Licenses | Check Game.”