AGFC creating alternatives to hook into healthful household enjoyable  • Arkansas Sport & Fish Fee

Derby Days
The AGFC boosts provides of recent catchable-sized catfish in additional than simply FCFP places. Hatchery vehicles spend tons of of hours every year hauling fish for fishing derbies and occasions coordinated by small cities and organizations all through Arkansas. Churches, civic teams, nursing properties and scout troops are among the many organizations partnering with the AGFC’s fishing derby program. 

“We want everyone to have a good experience fishing, and fishing derbies are the way a lot of people first learned how fun it can be,” Gary Logan, assistant chief of the AGFC Education Division, mentioned. “Some of the derbies will be held at FCFP locations, but a few other bodies of water are added to the list to increase angler opportunities. When we can, we try to hold multiple events at the same bodies of water to take advantage of fish that were previously stocked still being available to catch.”

According to the AGFC’s Derby Program Webpage, greater than 140 derbies are already on the books for 2026.

“We list the organizers’ contact information for each derby alongside its location and date, so that interested anglers can reach out and learn more about the event and how they can participate,” Logan mentioned. 

A number of derbies give attention to a selected group or age vary — for instance, youngsters, individuals with disabilities or aged anglers — however many are geared for households to come back out and fish collectively.

“And the fishing fun doesn’t stop when the derby ends,” Logan mentioned. “These are ponds that are open to public fishing, so you’ll have some good fishing for weeks after the derby, too.” 

Visit www.agfc.com/training/fishing-derby-program for a listing of places, dates and make contact with data for every derby.

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WITH THE FLOW
The AGFC shares tons of of hundreds of kilos of catchable-sized channel catfish all through Arkansas every year for immediate angling enjoyment. AGFC picture. 

CATFISH CROWD
AGFC Assistant Chief of Fisheries Jason Miller reveals a faculty group how catfish are harvested from ponds to be stocked across the state. AGFC picture. 

TOUCHING PHOTO
Family and Community Fishing Locations assist introduce new anglers to the thrill of fishing. AGFC picture. 

FISHING DERBY
More than 140 public fishing derbies are scheduled for 2026, because of the efforts of many devoted AGFC employees all through the state to ship angling alternatives. AGFC picture.