Talk trout at one of AGFC’s public input meetings 

MOUNTAIN HOME — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will hold a series of public meetings around Arkansas as part of its process to develop a new statewide plan to guide trout management in The Natural State.

The new statewide trout management plan will build on the work of previous plans and incorporate all trout stakeholders’ values to offer broad guidance on policies related to producing desirable trout fishing experiences in Arkansas.

“We’re inviting anyone from the public to come out to our meetings to provide input into the final plan,” Christy Graham, Trout Program coordinator for the AGFC, said. “We’ve worked with internal and external focus groups to develop the plan so far, but general public input is extremely valuable as we move forward.”

The plan is the result of the joint work of AGFC and a Stakeholder Advisory Committee (citizen volunteers who represent a cross-section of trout fishing interests). It includes management goals that reflect stakeholder values, specific objectives designed to attain each goal, as well as potential general strategies for attaining objectives. The plan provides broad guidance for AGFC Commissioners and staff for managing trout in Arkansas. The plan informs, but does not replace the existing process for setting trout fishing regulations.

Seven public meetings will be held in an open house format to allow individuals to meet with fisheries biologists and other AGFC staff one-on-one to learn about trout fishing and trout management efforts and how the new plan will influence future decision-making regarding Arkansas’s world-famous trout waters.

Hardy
5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 24
Hardy Civic Center, 301 W Main St, Hardy, AR 72542

Springdale
6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 26
J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center
3400 N 40th St, Springdale, AR 72762

Mountain Home
1-3 p.m. Sept. 28
Baxter County Library, Knox Rooms A and B
300 Library Hill, Mountain Home, AR 72653

Hot Springs
6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 30
Hot Springs Convention Center and Bank of the Ozarks Arena
134 Convention Boulevard, Hot Springs, AR 71901

Little Rock
6-7:30 p.m. October 1
AGFC Headquarters
2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205

Mountain Home
6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 2
Vada Sheid Community Development Center
1600 S. College St., Mountain Home, AR, 72653

Heber Springs
6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 7
Heber Springs Community Center
201 Bobbie Jean Ln, Heber Springs, AR 72543

Email christy.graham@agfc.ar.gov for more information.

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CUTLINES:

UNDERWATER TROUT
Arkansas is world-famous for its wild brown trout fisheries. Photo by Mike Wintroath.

TROUT RELEASE
Catch-and-release angling and size restrictions are some of the topics covered in the draft of the AGFC’s updated Trout Management Plan. Photo by Mike Wintroath.