Fishing derbies kick off Arkansas Hunting and Fishing Week

Sept. 15, 2021

Randy Zellers

Assistant Chief of Communications

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will host fishing derbies throughout the state Sept. 18 in celebration of Arkansas Hunting and Fishing Week.

Fourteen derbies around the state will be available for families to come out and enjoy a day of fun by the water with the AGFC. Most derbies will begin at 8 a.m. and wrap up by 11 a.m., but times may vary depending on location. Participants should bring their own fishing gear, chairs, snacks and coolers to take home a healthy fish dinner from the event. Most derbies will have live or prepared bait available, but anglers are encouraged to bring along their favorite catfish bait to stand out from the crowd. Anglers 16 and older also should make sure they have a current Arkansas fishing license, available at www.agfc.com. Details and online registration forms for each event are available at the AGFC’s Outdoor Skills Network calendar at www.agfc.com/events.

All fishing derbies should prove a fun day for family and friends, but The Big Catch, a special fishing event presented by Community First Alliance, stands to be the biggest of them all. In addition to fishing, participants will be able to enjoy music, games and free food at Lake Valencia in Maumelle. The Big Catch also will include a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic. This fishing event will begin at 8 a.m. and concludes at 1 p.m., Sept. 18. Registration is required to attend. Visit http://C1A.life for more information and to register.  

Arkansas Hunting and Fishing Week is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of hunters and anglers to Arkansas’s conservation work, Arkansas’s economy and Arkansas’s rich history as The Natural State. The week comes just before National Hunting and Fishing Day, which will be celebrated Sept. 25 throughout the nation.

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